Union Agriculture Minister Visited Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur

29th January, 2011, Kanpur

Hon'ble Union Minister of Agriculture Shri Sharad Pawar visited Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur on January 29, 2011. He was accompanied by Mr. P.K. Basu, Secretary, DAC, Ministry of Agriculture, GoI and Dr. S. Ayyappan, Secretary DARE and Director General, ICAR, New Delhi. Mr. Raja Ram Pal, Hon'ble Member of Parliament, Dr. T.P. Rajendran, Asstt. Director General (PP) and Dr. B.B. Singh, Asstt. Director General (O&P)also accompanied the Minister during the visit. Hon'ble Minister and the dignitaries were given a warm welcome by Dr. N. Nadarajan, Director, IIPR.

Hon'ble Minister visited the Genetic Stock Management Farm of the Institute and took keen interest in the breeder seed production of different pulse crops. The dignitaries appreciated the upkeep and maintenance of the experimental plots and the farm.

At the main campus of the Institute, Hon'ble Minister inaugurated the Pulse Genetic Resource Centre. He visited the experimental fields at the main farm and took keen interest in the development of new varieties, particularly the hybrids. He also visited the Institute museum.

In the interaction meeting with the scientists, Dr. Nadarajan, Director presented before the Hon'ble Minister the pulse production scenario in the country. He highlighted the achievements of the Institute in development of new high yielding varieties and matching crop production technologies. In his address the Hon'ble Minister called upon the scientists to develop short duration varieties of pulse crops to foster multiple cropping system. He stressed upon developing high yielding varieties insulated with pest and disease resistance, with matching crop production and protection technologies. He called for minimizing the post harvest losses. Focusing upon the research priorities, the Hon'ble Minister asked the scientists to develop pulse varieties and matching production technologies keeping in mind the changes in climate and seasons. He provided the road map for increasing pulse production by stressing on short, medium and long term research efforts.

While addressing the pulse grower the Hon'ble Minister said that the cultivable area is shrinking due to urbanisation and industrialization while the population of the country is increasing. So the farmers and the scientists should go with hand in-hand to produce sufficient food for the growing population. In this endeavour Govt. will provide all help and assistance to make the country self sufficient in pulses. The Hon'ble Minister honoured five progressive farmers of the area at this occasion.

(Source: IIPR, Kanpur)