26th Meeting of the ICAR Zonal Committee held at New Delhi
30 June 2020, New Delhi: The 26th Meeting of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Zonal Committee – 1 (Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh) was conducted through video conference here at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi today. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has formed 8 Zonal Committees based on the agro-climatic zones. These Committees organize meetings after every two years to discuss the latest trends in agricultural education and farming.
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Mr. Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare emphasized that the regional committees formed by the ICAR provides a better platform for establishing meaningful dialogue between research and development agencies in the fields of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries and agroforestry.
Highlighting the difference between the plains and the hilly areas in terms of farming, the Union Minister stressed that despite being the regional committee – I Hilly region, the Committee self-reliant in terms of climate rich, medicinal agriculture, aromatic plants, saffron and improved fruits cultivation.
Mr. Tomar stressed on promoting the integrated farming along with the organic and natural farming practices to achieve the target of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. The Union Minister also urged the State Governments to contribute wisely in promptly implementing the new advisories being provided by the Central Government, providing new opportunities to the farmers and narrowing the gaps between the farmers and traders.
Applauding the various technologies developed by the ICAR and its Institutes, Mr. Tomar stressed that the decisions and recommendations taken by the previous committees for the Regional Committee – I have been successful in the various fields of agriculture in these regions. Stating about the benefits of the Fasal Bima Yojana, the Union Minister urged the farmers to form the Farmers’ Producers’ Organization (FPOs). He stressed on establishing the facilities for agriculture and food-processing units for all farmers in the village.
Outlining the main objective of the meeting, Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & DG (ICAR) highlighted the various researches aimed at providing prompt solutions for the various problems being faced by the farming communities in different typographical areas. The Director General also underlined about the problems of wild animals and fodder along with the climate changes that are being faced by the agricultural and farming communities.
He urged the State Governments to disseminate and make use of the various technologies developed by the ICAR to address the different types of agriculture and farming related problems being faced in their particular regions. The DG also opined for the exchange of different ideas and suggestions between the states to deal more promptly and efficiently with the problems.
