Chief Secretary Anthony de Sa has lauded new researches and efforts for the upliftment of farmers by the Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA) at Jabalpur on Saturday. Effective works including agriculture conservation, zero ploughing, inter-changing crops and crop cycle can lead to revolutionary changes in agriculture in Central India. After visiting BISA Farm at Jabalpur, the Chief Secretary said that the state government is committed to extending maximum cooperation to BISA in its agriculture sector works.

CS also laid foundation stones for farmers' training centre and guest house, seed processing centre, irrigation and water quality lab and protected farming lab on the BISA Farm. The cost of these works sanctioned under National Agriculture Development Scheme by the state government is Rs. 20 crore. BISA's Director General Dr. H.S. Gupta informed CS about proposed works. CS also inaugurated power sub-station of Eastern Region Power Distribution System costing Rs. 2 crore 81 for supplying 24X7 power to Borlaug Institute.

During visit to the farm, BISA's Team leader Raj Gupta informed CS of research work on crop system and various irrigation methods. de Sa also inspected various varieties of wheat being developed under Global Wheat Programme. CS directed to send reports about research activities to the government so that farmers can be benefited with latest techniques. CS also apprised himself of new machines being used in protected farming. de Sa inspected new varieties of maize being developed by the institute by visiting Manegaon Farm. BISA's Administrative Coordinator Kuldip Shukla informed CS that about 10 thousand farmers visit BISA Farm every year under Mukhyamantri Khet - Tirth Yojana. CS directed for fencing and flood prevention works at BISA Farm. Jawaharlal Nehru Agriculture University, Jabalpur's Vice Chancellor Prof VS Tomar was also present on the occasion.