Along with the new team of union state ministers the senior minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Radha Mohan Singh inaugurated the 88th Foundation Day and Annual Award Function of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
The Ministers of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, S.S. Ahluwalia, Prushottam Rupala and Sudershan Bhagat were also present on the occasion. A unique feature of the function was that about 700 farmers were also invited and an interactive session with the officials and researchers was also held.
Speaking on the occasion Singh dwelt at length on the achievements and new initiatives launched by the NDA Government for strengthening agricultural research, education and extension system through institutional development especially in the eastern and the North –Eastern states.
The ICAR Awards were given to in 19 categories to 119 awardees. The awards were not only for the agricultural researchers and institutions but also for agricultural journalists, farmers and extension workers.
Dr T. Mohapatra, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General, ICAR, welcomed the dignitaries and participants. In his address, the Director General mentioned research on improving productivity and production of pulses and oilseeds as the top priority.