Golden Jubilee Foundation Day Celebration at ICAR-CICR, Nagpur

1 April 2026, Nagpur

ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur, celebrated its Golden Jubilee Foundation Day today with great enthusiasm, marking fifty years of dedicated service and scientific contributions to the cotton sector of India. Established in 1976 under the aegis of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, the institute has consistently worked towards addressing the major challenges faced by cotton growers across the country.

The Chief Guest, Dr D. K. Yadava, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR, suggested reorienting cotton research towards the “plant type concept” and emphasized revisiting the role of the public sector in developing high-yielding and climate-resilient cotton varieties.

The celebration was also honoured by the presence of several eminent dignitaries including Dr C. D. Mayee, Former Chairman of the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board, New Delhi; Dr S. K. Chaudhari, Director General, Fertilizer Association of India; Dr P. K. Dash, Assistant Director General (CC), ICAR; Dr S. K. Pradhan, ADG (FFC), ICAR; Dr Dilip Ghosh, Director of ICAR-Central Citrus Research Institute, Nagpur; Dr N. G. Patil, Director, ICAR-National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, Nagpur; Dr S. K. Shukla, Director, ICAR-CIRCOT, Mumbai; along with other senior officials.

In his remarks, Dr. C. D. Mayee highlighted the emerging challenges in agriculture, particularly the availability of nitrogenous and phosphatic fertilizers, and urged the scientific and farming communities to remain prepared for the upcoming cropping seasons. Dr. S. K. Chaudhari emphasized the current challenges and opportunities in the cotton sector, while Dr. S. K. Pradhan and Dr. P. K. Dash congratulated the institute on the momentous occasion.

Dr V.N. Waghmare, Director, ICAR-CICR, welcomed the dignitaries and highlighted the institute’s remarkable journey and achievements over the past five decades. Over the years, the institute has made significant contributions in several key areas including crop improvement, crop protection, agronomy, biotechnology, integrated pest and disease management, and the development of climate-resilient cotton production technologies.

On this occasion, several important publications and knowledge resources developed by the scientists of ICAR-CICR were formally released by the Chief Guest and other dignitaries. These included technical bulletins, books, newsletters, Hindi publications, and success stories, along with the launch of digital technology tools designed to support cotton research, advisory services, and technology dissemination to farmers and extension agencies. The institute also felicitated Best Employee Awardees for their outstanding contributions.

The celebration witnessed enthusiastic participation from scientists associated with the All India Coordinated Research Project on Cotton (AICRP on Cotton) from across the country, representatives from the seed industry, former Directors of ICAR-CICR, retired staff members, and a large number of scientific, technical, administrative, and contractual staff, along with students. Researchers and stakeholders representing various cotton-growing regions of India attended the programme and participated in lectures and panel discussions, making the event a significant gathering of the national cotton research fraternity. As ICAR-CICR enters a new phase of growth and scientific advancement, the Golden Jubilee celebration served as an important platform to outline future strategies for sustainable cotton production, climate-resilient agriculture, and strengthening India’s leadership in global cotton research.

(Source: ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur)