Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums, Ranchi, the only institute, which has been a pioneer in the research of natural resins and gums since 1924, celebrated its 98th year today. On this occasion, Dr. Suresh Kumar Choudhary, Deputy Director General, Natural Resource Management and Agro-Mechanics ICAR, New Delhi, presiding over the programme, said that non-traditional farming like lac, bee keeping, mushroom, vermi-compost, fish farming has great potential in rainfed states like Jharkhand. Taking a policy decision, the Government of India is promoting Secondary Agriculture.
In the 11th episode of Dorothy Memorial Lecture, Dr. Ashok Dalvai, Chief Executive Officer, National Rainfed Area Authority, New Delhi said that there is a need to work on secondary agriculture to double the income of farmers and make India self-reliant in food and processing. The role of this institute is important in the production of natural resins and gums, processing, value added products and skill development, in order to provide more than 180 days employment to farmers in many areas like Scheduled Tribes areas there is a need to promote quality production, crop intensity, productivity per unit. Dr Omkar Nath Singh, Vice Chancellor, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, who was the distinguished guest of the programme, said that after two years, before the 100th anniversary of the institute, so many achievements should be marked in the institute that the State and the country should feel proud of this institution. The income of the farmers can be doubled by strengthening the marketing link of the production of lac.
Dr. A. Patnaik Director, Indian Institute of Biotechnology, Ranchi, keeping in view the remarkable contribution made by the institute in natural resins and gums, said that farmers’ income can be increased by adopting secondary agriculture. In the field of biotechnology, lac may prove to be a new dimension in the field of nanotechnology.
Dr. SN Jha and Dr. K.K. Singh, Assistant Director General, ICAR, New Delhi said that there is a need to work for promotion of secondary agriculture by adding value to the crop to increase the income of the farmers.
In his welcome address, Dr. Kewal Krishna Sharma, Director, Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums, Ranchi, while explaining the importance of natural resins and gums, said that more than 50 lakh man-days are generated in this sector and the third highest wealth after rice and wheat is gathered from export of lac and primary resins and gums.
Dr. AK Singh ICAR, Zonal Research Center of Eastern Region, Ranchi shared its thoughts and experiences to increase the per capita income of the farmers. On this occasion Dr. Rajan Choudhary, Dr. J. Ghosh and Dr. Nirmal Kumar released the publication “Role of Agricultural Weather Consultancy Services in the Present Scenario”.
Dr. Tamilarasi (Scientific class), Vinod Kumar and Birendra Kumar (Technical class), Krishna Murari Kumar (Administrative class), Baiju Urao (Skilled working class) were awarded for excellent work. Programme coordinator Dr. Ghoshal proposed the vote of thanks.