23 April 2024, Cuttack: ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack celebrated its 79th Foundation Day and Dhan Diwas today.
Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary (DARE) and Director General (ICAR) graced the occasion as Chief Guest through virtual mode. Dr. Pathak emphasised the significant impact of ICAR’s research and technology development on India’s food grain, fish, horticultural crops, and milk production. He highlighted improvements in natural resource management, climate resilience, and economic transformation of farmers. The DG further added that ICAR’s role in Indian Agriculture involves planning, promoting, and coordinating research, education, and extension activities. Dr. Pathak also delivered the 2nd Dr. K. Ramaiah Foundation Day Lecture on the occasion.
Dr. R.C. Agrawal, Deputy Director General (Education) ICAR, Prof. Pravat Kumar Roul, Vice-Chancellor, Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneswar, were the Guests of Honor during the programme.
Dr. Agrawal highlighted the ICAR’s role in coordinating and managing research and education in agriculture, including horticulture, fisheries, and animal sciences, in India. He stressed the importance of international collaboration in advancing agricultural education and research, highlighting successful partnerships and potential areas for future cooperation.
Dr. A.K. Nayak, Director, ICAR-NRRI highlighted the institute’s significant achievements and recent research in hybrid rice, strategies to combat stress, rice economics, value addition, and product development. He also spoke about the ICAR-NRRI’s efforts to stabilize rice production in rainfed ecosystems through modern technology capacity-building development and the release of climate-smart rice varieties.
Dr. S.K. Pradhan, Assistant Director General, (FFC), ICAR spoke about the strategies to encourage the adoption and dissemination of new varieties among farmers through extension services, seed distribution programmes, and capacity-building initiatives.
Dr. P.K. Roul, Vice-Chancellor, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, reiterated the efforts of sustainable farming practices in enhancing crop productivity and fostering strong connections with the farming community.
Dr. A. Sarangi, Director, ICAR-Indian Institute of Water Management, Bhubaneswar, Dr. Pramod Kumar Sahoo, Director, ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar, Dr. Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata, Dr. Praveen Malik, CEO, Agri-innovate India were also present in the programme.
A special program, including a field visit, facility inauguration, publication release, and student interaction with dignitaries, was organized, along with a cultural program ‘Madhuram’ for staff, scholars, students, and children.
A large number of scientists, officers, students, and retired staff of the institute participated in the event.
