Former ICAR Deputy Director General (Crop Science) Visits ICAR-VPKAS, Almora

28 October 2026, Almora

Dr Swapan Kumar Datta, Former Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR, New Delhi and Founder Vice-Chancellor of Biswa Bangla Biswabidyalay, West Bengal, visited ICAR–Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan, Almora, today.

During the visit, Dr Datta reviewed the ongoing research activities of the institute, with particular emphasis on its crop improvement and breeding programmes. He appreciated the institute’s research initiatives and achievements.

Dr Lakshmi Kant, Director, ICAR-VPKAS, briefed the visiting dignitaries on the major research achievements of the institute and outlined its future research priorities and plans.

An interactive meeting with the institute’s scientists was also organized. Addressing the scientists, Dr. Datta encouraged them to think differently, adopt innovative approaches, and explore research avenues beyond conventional boundaries. He emphasized that several funding agencies and research-support organizations offer opportunities for scientific advancement and urged scientists to proactively identify and pursue such opportunities to strengthen their research programmes. He highly appreciated the institute’s scientific contributions and congratulated the team for its research achievements.

The importance of establishing strategic collaborations with appropriate research institutions and organizations was highlighted to undertake large-scale research projects, enhance scientific outputs, and generate greater impact. Scientists were encouraged to identify complementary expertise and develop collaborative research initiatives to address emerging agricultural challenges effectively.

The visit and interaction provided a valuable opportunity for the institute’s scientists to gain insights into innovative research approaches, resource mobilization, and institutional collaboration for advancing agricultural research in the hill regions.

(Source: ICAR–Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan, Almora, Uttarakhand)