Shillong, Jan 11: The 48th ICAR institute foundation was commemorated today along with a series of events abiding with the covid 19 protocols. In his welcome address Dr. V.K Mishra, Director; ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region said that the existence of the research institute and with its six regional centres has made a deep impact in the field of agriculture of the region, but there is immense scope of improvisation in the agricultural sector in the coming years with the implementation of modern technologies.
The foundation Day lecture was given by Dr. K. M Bujarbaruah, former VC, AAU, Jorhat and former DDG, animal Sciences, ICAR and former Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, he emphasised on the fact that it is only institute in the entire region which focus on all the disciplines.
He further added that pandemic has proven the fact that there is no alternative to agriculture as rightly said by Pandit Nehru that “everything else can wait, but not agriculture”. The institute needs to focus on the sustainable developmental goals and aim for a hunger free world.
The 48th ICAR institute foundation day was celebrated by the inauguration of poultry seed grower cum layer house under the ICAR poultry seed project at the cost of Rs. 1.47crore with the capacity of 5000 grower and layer birds. This facility would enable us to upscale our quality poultry seed production in the NE Region.
A pig shed was also inaugurated which was built from theinstitute budget at the cost of 86. Lakhs. The pig shed has farrowing facility with a capacity of 16 numbers of sows with their piglets. These facilities were virtually inaugurated by Dr Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary, DARE and DG, ICAR, New Delhi in the presence of the other dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering virtually he urged the scientific community to further develop agriculture in the north eastern region and address rural poverty. Over the decades, the institute contributed immensely towards the food security mission of the country and specifically towards the region.
The 48th ICAR institute foundation day also witnessed the felicitation of the staffs of the institute for their commendable contribution towards the institute. Innovative farmers were also awarded for their contribution in the field of agriculture from the region.
Mr.Vanlalghaka Pachau from Mizoram, Smti Dilli Maya Bhattarai from Sikkim and Smti. Plenty Makri of Meghalaya was awarded the best farmers award for her contribution in rain water harvesting system with integrated farming system model. The programmed ended with a pledge to take modern agricultural technologies to the doorsteps of farming community.
