BackThe Minister of State for Finance (GOI) Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal visited Arid Region Campus, Bikaner

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The Minister of State for Finance (GOI) Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal along with his personal staff visited Arid Region Campus, Bikaner on 20^th October, 2016. In his first conversation with staff of ARC he wanted to know the main role and objective of this centre. Head of ARC, Dr A. K. Patel told the history and genesis of this centre, the achievements of the centre for enhancing wool yield for carpet production were also briefed to him. Honourable minister not only desired double the income of sheep farmers but to improve social status also in society. In discussion this was told that mechanization and scientific rearing of sheep in cooperative manner with value addition and good marketing support from government can make sheep enterprise more remunerative. He visited the Chokla sector and appreciated the wool quality and health status of Chokla animals. He was also astonished to see the ARC farm as best eco-system for sheep rearing.   Dr H K Narula, PS (AG & B) showed the genetic improvement in wool yield and body weight in Magra and Marwari breed at ARC over the years, these superior rams are being used to improve wool yield in farmers’ flocks. In last five years more than 700 superior carpet wool type rams were provided to farmers, Govt. agencies, NGOs etc. Honourable minister also visited the groundnut seed production unit of ICAR-DGR, Junagadh at ARC Farm and appreciated the cooperation rendered by ARC-CSWRI  to DGR for seed production work. He assured to visit again in month of November during kisan Mela at Bikaner.