A program was organized to celebrate 88th Foundation of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) on 16th July 2016 at Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA). Prof..P.G.Chengappa, ICAR National Professor Institute for Social and Economic Change and Former Vice Chancellor, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore was the chief guest of the function, who gave a presentation on ‘ Development of Indian agriculture and contributions of NARS system’.
Prof..P.G.Chengappa in his address sketched the growth of Indian agriculture post-independence and the role of the National Agriculture Research System (NARS). He emphasised the need for inclusive development and linking small farmers to markets. He demonstrated the changing pattern of food consumption in the last 40 years in India toward high-value items of fruits vegetables, egg, fish and dairy products, meat and meat products. He emphasized that research programs of ICAR need to be modified according to the changing pattern of food consumption in the country and unified national agriculture market through e-commerce platforms. He was hopeful of the new policy of the ‘National Agriculture Marketing’ which will be a game changer for agriculture in India and expressed this concern over the infrastructure like, warehouses which will be the major bottleneck in the agriculture marketing is the which needs to be addressed immediately.
Firm-farm linkage program through contract farming is being mooted in the country recently is expected to boost the agriculture income. Research and extension police in the NARS need to be reoriented to achieve the goal of doubling the agriculture income by 2025. Main focus areas should be to increase productivity, reducing the cost of production, emphasis on high-value crops, product diversification and integrated farming. There is an urgent need to increase the efficiency of the supply chain.
Earlier in his inaugural address Dr.K.K.Vijayan, Director, CIBA has emphasised the need for celebrating ICAR foundation day and understanding Indian agriculture systems to focus our research priorities accordingly. Dr.T.Ravisankar, Principal Scientist and Incharge, Agri-Business Incubator welcomed the guest and audience and Dr.P.K.Patil, Senior Scientist introduced the Chief Guest and expressed vote of thanks.
