Shri Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurates Institute Building and facilities of ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad

24th September, 2020, Hyderabad

Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare virtually inaugurated the newly constructed Administrative Building of the ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad today.

The Union Minister regarded the Millets, the “Nutricereals” as the future food grains to ensure the nutritional security of the Nation. He stressed that the Millets being climate-resilient crops can be grown in diverse agro-ecological zones of India, particularly, suited for drylands and hilly areas under the Rainfed agriculture with very low inputs. These crops contribute substantially for food and nutritional security of poor people living in the semi-arid regions of the world.

Shri Tomar also inaugurated the Crop Improvement Work Area, Nutricereals Innovation Centre, Food Processing Unit and the Institute’s Guest House during the occasion. The Union Minister emphasized that the facilities are essential for more efficient working of the Institute and with enhanced facilities the Institute will contribute more towards millets research and development. He applauded the Institute’s initiative to help in creating many Farmers’ Producers’ Organizations (FPOs) and Start-Ups in the Millets which are helping in providing the Millets products to urban households.

The Union Minister highlighted the Prime Minister’s vision for doubling of farmers’ income by 2022 and various other farmers’-friendly schemes like Soil Health Cards, KCC, etc., that are helping the farming community in increasing the production of pulses, oilseeds and millets, thereby, enhancing the farm income.

Shri Kailash Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare complimented the Institute for the commendable work done in the area of Millets.

In his welcome address, Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & DG (ICAR) applauded the Institute’s efforts creating the Start-Ups for Millets processing and value-added food products. The Director General accentuated that the Nutricereals Innovation Centre would help in studying the Millet’s nutritional benefits, more training and awareness creation among farmers and consumers. Dr. Mohapatra stressed that Seed Hubs created by the Ministry of Agriculture’s assistance are helping to meet the demand for quality seeds in Millets.

Dr. Vilas A. Tonapi, Director, ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad briefed about the events that led to the establishment of the Institute in the Year - 2015.

Dr. Tilak Raj Sharma, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR proposed the vote of thanks.

(Source: ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad)