Back26th Meeting of ICAR Regional Committee - VI organized
13th March, 2021
“There is a need for climate-resilient agriculture and to intensify research on development of disease-resistant varieties for different crops for the different agro-climatic regions of the country”, said Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare. Shri Rupala was addressing the “Virtual 26th Meeting of ICAR Regional Committee - VI” organized today.
The Minister stressed on addressing the situation of either over-production of some commodities leading to low remuneration to farmers or under-production of some commodities leading to increased dependency on their imports in depth. Shri Rupala accentuated on improving the policy for enhancing the production of edible oils. He also opined to promote the Integrated Farming System for the small and marginal farm holdings for the livelihood security.
Shri Lal Chand Kataria, Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Fisheries, Government of Rajasthan highlighted the progress and issues of Rajasthan’s agriculture and allied sectors. The Minister emphasized on the need of assurance of food security to the people. He accentuated on new innovations that are required to solve the problem of Fall Armyworm and other pests, development of newer varieties of crops, vegetables and fruits with low water requirements.
Shri Jaydrathsinhji Chandrasinhji Parmar, Minister of State for Agriculture, Government of Gujarat stressed on the need of preparing an intensive plan for sustainable agriculture in the region.
Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) underlined the significant contributions of Rajasthan and Gujarat in the country’s production of cotton, castor, groundnut, pulses, oilseeds, coarse cereals, fruits and milk, etc. The Director General also outlined some of the key issues pertaining to micro-irrigation, value-chain formation, spice processing, organic farming and protected agriculture, etc.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Shri Sanjay Kumar Singh, Additional Secretary (DARE) & Secretary (ICAR) accentuated on the need-based agriculture. Shri Singh also urged the farmers for selecting the crops depending on the soil quality of their fields and water availability for irrigation.
Dr. Bhupendra Nath Tripathi, Deputy Director General (Animal Science), ICAR & Nodal Officer, Regional Committee - VI underlined the contributions of the Zone - VI in the field of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries and poultry. He also expressed his concerns over the depletion of groundwater table in Rajasthan and problems of water and soil salinity in the coastal areas of Gujarat, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.
Dr. Arun Kumar, Director, ICAR-CSWRI, Avikanagar, Rajasthan & Member Secretary, ICAR Regional Committee - VI presented the Action Taken Report on the recommendations of the XXVI RCM.
The participants from the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan and Union Territories of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu virtually attendent in the meeting.
