The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) organised a one-day workshop on ‘Improving Technical Support, Extension and Demonstration Services to the Farmers’ at the ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture here in collaboration with the ICAR-Agriculture Technology Application Research Institute, Madhya Pradesh on Monday.
The programme was organised with a direction from the Prime Minister’s Office to develop strategies to improve technological services to the farmers of Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
All the stakeholders of the agriculture sector like research institutes, agricultural universities and Government Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Soil Conservation, Forestry, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry participated in the programme.
ICAR Deputy Director General Dr AK Singh presided over the programme wherein ICAR ADG (Fisheries) Dr SD Singh gave welcome address. OUAT Vice-Chancellor Dr Manoranjan Kar, ICAR-CIFA Director Dr P Jayasankar and ICAR-ATRAI Director Dr Anupam Mishra discussed issues on agriculture, horticulture, natural resource management, farm mechanisation and forestry of the three States.
Deans/Director Extensions of the Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Kamdhenu Vishwavidyalaya, Durg, Birsa Agriculture University, Ranchi and the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar made their presentations on the technological and extension gaps in the agricultural development of the region.
A total of 20 progressive farmers from the three states too joined and raised concerns of their respective communities. Similarly, representatives of NGOs and corporate houses and scientists participated.
A summary of recommendations made by participants would be sent to the Prime Minister’s Office, said organisers. Programm organising secretary Dr NK Barik proposed vote of thanks.