ICAR DG Urges Youth To Visit Villages To Understand Farmers’ Needs

Ludhiana, November 25, 2011

The Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research (DARE), Government of India and Director General (DG), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, Dr S. Ayyappan, urged the youth to visit villages to understand the needs of the farmers.

Laying the foundation stone of the Administrative Building of Zonal Project Directorate, Zone– I (ICAR) at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Dr Ayyappan dwelt upon the initiatives in the field of agricultural research, extension and teaching. Advising the youth to follow the message “Students Ready and Farmers First,” he stated that everybody has a security in the country but a farmer has no security. Therefore, farmers need experts who can guide and equip them with timely farm knowledge. He disclosed that the agriculture intelligence is being given a special emphasis in the road map of agriculture for XIIth plan. Dr Ayyappan lauded the efforts of the PAU in extension education work and for providing land for the Administrative Building.

Dr K.D. Kokate, Deputy Director General (AE), ICAR, said that Punjab is a leading state in mushroom and honey production. Adding that the summer moong is also picking up in the state, he remarked that the farmers’ initiative will give a boost the agriculture. He also presented an overview of the Zonal Project Directorate and salient achievements of KVKs of Zone – I. 

The PAU Vice-Chancellor, Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, appreciating the support of ICAR in carrying out transfer technology programmes, said that the establishment of the administrative building at the university would enhance the presence of ICAR in Punjab. He exhorted the farming community to carry on their excellent work in future also. Dr Dhillon honoured Dr Ayyappan on this occasion.

Earlier, Dr A.M. Naruala, Zonal Project Director, Zone-I, welcoming the dignitaries and the gathering, highlighted the activities of the Directorate.

Present on this occasion were Dr V.K. Taneja, Vice-Chancellor, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Dr R.K. Gupta, Director, Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET), Dr T.H. Singh, former Dean, Postgraduate Studies, PAU, Deans and Directors of PAU and GADVASU and staff of Zonal Project Directorate, Ludhiana.

(Source: Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana)