The State labour, Khadi and MSME minister Harish Chandra Durgapal has stressed on the need for effective and climate resilient technologies and field solutions for soil, water and forest conservation on which development is based.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the 21st meeting of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) regional committee number one coordinated by the Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute (CSWCRTI) here on Wednesday.
Durgapal highlighted the agricultural problems in mountainous states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Citing the examples of loss of apple production due to climate changes in Uttarakhand and other mountain States, he emphasised that water harvesting, flood control, soil conservation measures, organic fertilisation and farming and scientific inputs to boost agriculture, horticulture and fisheries are prime needs of the region. The meeting coordinator, ICAR DDG (Horticulture) Dr NK Krishna Kumar highlighted the importance, composition and concerns of the meeting for the agriculture development in the region. He conveyed the message of Department of Agricultural Research and Education secretary and ICAR DG Dr S Ayyappan on the agenda note of the meeting.
ICAR secretary and DARE additional secretary Arvind Kaushal spoke on the facilities, role and strengths of ICAR. Dignitaries released five publications from the universities and ICAR research institutes located in the region. Ten innovative farmers of the region were also felicitated on the occasion.
The CSWCRTI director Dr PK Mishra proposed the vote of thanks at the inaugural function after which technical and interaction session continued under the chairmanship of Kaushal.