DG, ICAR Lays Foundation Stones for Research School Buildings and Auditorium at ICAR-IARI, Jharkhand

8-9 October 2026, Jharkhand

Dr M. L. Jat, Secretary, DARE, and Director General, ICAR, laid the foundation stones for the Research School Buildings and Auditorium at ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Jharkhand, during a Bhoomi Poojan ceremony. The buildings are estimated to cost ₹21 crore and ₹24.7 crore, respectively. Dr D. K. Yadav, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR, accompanied him during the visit.

The visit highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen research infrastructure and farm development, supported by an allocation of ₹13.5 crore. Dr Jat interacted with students, farmers and institute staff, distributed agricultural inputs to farmers, visited the research farm, released carp fingerlings into Bahadur Dam and participated in a campus plantation drive.

Emphasising the development of ICAR-IARI, Jharkhand, as a self-sustaining model farm and centre of excellence for agricultural development in Eastern India, Dr Jat outlined key research priorities, including acid soil management, tribal livelihood enhancement, agricultural diversification, soil and water conservation, soil fertility management and trials on nano-based fertilisers.

He also stressed efficient resource management through rainwater harvesting, lift and drip irrigation, solar-powered irrigation, region-specific farm mechanisation, improved fodder production and processing, and recycling of crop and livestock residues. Strengthening seed and planting material production, promoting improved varieties and technologies, and expanding externally funded research were also highlighted.

Dr Jat emphasised that ICAR-IARI, Jharkhand, should evolve as an integrated agricultural hub connecting crop production, livestock and fisheries through collaboration with other ICAR institutes. He also underscored the importance of documenting annual progress, research outcomes, key achievements and infrastructure development.

Dr Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director, ICAR-IARI, along with the Centre-in-Charge of ICAR-IARI, Jharkhand, CPWD officials, institute staff and students, participated in the ceremony.

(Source: ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi)