23rd Foundation Day Celebrated by ICAR-RCER Patna

The 23rd Foundation Day of the ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna was celebrated with great enthusiasm on 22nd February, 2023. The programme began with the lighting of the lamp and ICAR song, after which Dr. Anup Das, Director, ICAR-RCER Patna welcomed the Chief Guest Dr. N. Saravana Kumar, Secretary (Agriculture Department), Government of Bihar; Dr. Rameshwar Singh, Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor, Bihar Animal Sciences University, Patna; Dr. B. S. Mahapatra, Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Kalyani, West Bengal; Dr. A. Vilas Tonapi, Former Director, IIMR, Hyderabad; Dr. Bikash Das, Director, ICAR-NRC on Litchi: Dr. Anjani Kumar, Director, ICAR-ATARI; Sh. Anil Kumar Jha, IAS, Jt. Secretray (Deptt. Of Agriculture), Govt. of Bihar Patna; Sh. Sanjay Kumar Singh, IAS, Jt. Secretray (Deptt. Of Agriculture), Govt. of Bihar and other dignitaries.

On this occasion, the Director briefed the gathering about the major achievements made by the Institute during the last one year. He emphasized that due to the efforts of the institute, area under conservation agriculture in rice-wheat system is continuously increasing. Institute identified innovation and techniques for promotion of climate resilient agriculture. Research work is also being done by the institute on Natural Farming, Organic Farming, Integrated Farming System, and Nutri-cereals.

The development of five varieties of rice and two varieties of Faba Bean are most remarkable contributions of the Institute. In the series. Darbhanga based Research Center on Makhana, has brought out the state's first variety of Makhana' ‘Swarna Vaidehi' and thornless variety of water chestnut. Many new varieties of vegetables have been developed by the Ranchi center of the institute, which are having high yield potential and quality as well. To meet the deficiency of mineral mixture in livestocks, the region specific mineral mixture "Swarnamin" has been developed by the Institute. Registration of "Maithili" duck and "Purnia cow" by the Breed Registration Committee of ICAR are the other major achievements of the institute.

Dr. Das also appreciated contributions of the previous and superannuated employees of this institute.

He emphasized on working as team through consortium approach engaging agricultural universities, other R & D institutions, line departments and NGOs for the benefit of farming communities of eastern region.

Chief Guest Dr. N. Saravana Kumar, Secretary (Agriculture Department), Government of Bihar, in his address congratulated the employees of this institute on the occasion of 23rd Foundation Day and appreciated the efforts of institute for all round development of agriculture sector in the state. He further stressed on the need for effective collaboration between ICAR, state government and other stakeholders to achieve desired goals.

Dr. Rameshwar Singh, Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor, Bihar Animal Sciences University praised the work done by the institute for the development of eastern region and narrated various future challenges for which strategies should be prepared. Dr. B.S. Mahapatra, Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, West Bengal stressed on the need for farmer friendly research and their effective dissemination in the field.

Earlier in the morning session, Dr. A. Vilas Tonapi, Ex-Director, IIMR, Hyderabad delivered an insightful lecture on the importance and usefulness of Millets. This lecture was in the light of celebration of International Year (2023) of Millets.

The Progressive farmers from eastern states of India covering Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Odisha participated in the farmers fair cum interaction programme organized on the occasion of foundation day and interacted with the scientists and experts on various aspects of farming. The employees of different sections of the institute and media personnel associated with agriculture sector were also honoured on the occasion. During the occasion, "Akshay Kheti", the Hindi magazine and other publications of this institute were released.

Dr. Sanjeev Chaurasia, Hon'ble MLA of Digha Assembly Constituency, Bihar, graced the occasion on Farmers – Scientist interaction as chief guest. More than 150 farmers from eastern region of India participated in the programme. He urged the farmers to adopt scientific practices in farming for enhancing productivity and income. Hon'ble MLA emphasized on the need for entrepreneurship development in agriculture for attracting youths and improving farmers' livelihood. The certificate of appreciation was conferred to the successful farmers by the chief guest. The programme concluded with the vote of thanks by Organizing Secretary, Dr. Ujjwal Kumar, Head, Division of Social Science and Extension Education.