ICAR Regional Committee Meeting Commences in ICAR-NAARM, Hyderabad

24^th June 2016, Hyderabad

“The rural economy of West Bengal mainly depends on agriculture. Animal husbandry is one of the pillars of our rural economy,” said Shri Swapan Debnath, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Department of Animal Resources Development, Government of West Bengal. He was speaking as the Chief Guest at the XXIII Meeting of the ICAR Regional Committee-II (RCMII) (24-25 June 2016) at the ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (ICAR-NAARM), Hyderabad today. He also said “Our Department has drawn a plan of action to mitigate the gap between requirement and production. The mission is to cover 60% breedable low milk producing cattle of the state under artificial insemination programme by 2021-22 with an objective to self-sufficiency in milk production. The Government of West Bengal has decided to strengthen the existing three ‘A” graded frozen semen bull stations to keep pace with the increasing requirement of frozen semen straws.” Shri Debnath, also released publications from different ICAR institutes.

Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra , Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) outlined the research achievements during the past two years in agricultural research, agricultural education and extension. He explained the current objectives of the ICAR in meeting the challenges of the agricultural sector. He gave examples of the crop varieties released for cultivation in different ecologies. He also spoke of the developments in Horticulture, Biotechnology, Agricultural Engineering, Natural Resources Management, Animal Sciences, Extension and Fisheries.

Dr J.K. Jena, Deputy Director-General (Fisheries), ICAR, New Delhi, in his opening remarks spoke on the objectives of the Regional Committee Meeting and issues to be addressed in the current meeting.

Dr D. Rama Rao, Director, ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (ICAR-NAARM) welcomed the gathering.

The RCMII is held once in two years.  The present meeting will discuss and review the current status of agricultural research, agricultural education and extension in West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Committee provides a forum for liaison and coordination among the institutes of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), State Agricultural Universities (SAU) and State Departments of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries.

Members of the ICAR Governing Body/Society, Senior Officials from ICAR Headquarters and State Departments, Vice-Chancellors of SAUs, Directors and Scientists of ICAR institutes are participating in the meeting.

(Source: ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (ICAR-NAARM), Hyderabad)