ICAR-Public Outreach Session at Indian Science Congress, Jammu

5th February, 2014, Jammu

Indian Council of Agricultural Research organized a Public Outreach Session on sidelines of 101st Session of Indian Science Congress at University of Jammu, Jammu here today. Dr. R.B. Singh, Past President, National Academy of Agriculture Sciences, noted thinker and visionary    chaired the Session and interacted with participants.

In his thought provoking address, Dr. Singh emphasized upon the importance of agriculture as a profession of national interest. He called upon students to take up agriculture as a career and serve the nation along with a dignified livelihood. He urged farmers to adopt latest technologies for enhancing productivity and profitability. ICAR, with its vast network, has all the ingredients to serve the Indian farmers through technological interventions and knowledge dissemination, he added.

Earlier, Dr. Rameshwar Singh, Project Director, Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture (ICAR) made an illustrative presentation on the ICAR services being offered to entrepreneurs and farmers. He also elaborated upon various scholarships and fellowships available to students. Dr. Singh urged farmers to avail facility of KVKs and ICAR institutes of the region for increasing profitability through diversified agriculture. Dr. Jagdeep Saxena, Editor, DKMA outlined objectives of the public outreach session and motivated audience for interaction

Dr. K.S. Risam, Director Extension, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Jammu briefed upon various extension activities of the university and also of the attached KVKs. Dr. Risam initiated dialogue and conducted interactive session with farmers and students. 

Directors of CITH, Srinagar; IGFRI, Jhansi; Regional Station Incharges of CAZRI, IGFRI, and NBPGR located at Srinagar; Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, SKUAST-J; Scientists of IARI, New Delhi and experts from local agricultural institutions interacted with audience and responded to their queries. Farmers raised various issues of concern and interest such as quality seed supply and production; cultivation of mushroom and strawberry; integrated farming; animal husbandry; identification of crop varieties; bio-technology; organic farming and agricultural policy.  

Farmers, students, young researchers, extension functionaries and members of general public participated in the Public Outreach Session. Participants were provided useful literature on activities and services of ICAR.

The event was jointly organized by the Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture (DKMA) and Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Jammu, Jammu.

(Source: NAIP Mass Media Project, DKMA)