THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, February 12: Dr Arun Kumar, Senior Scientist in the Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding at Birsa Agricultural University (BAU), has been awarded a Gold Medal at the National Oilseed Conference 2026 held at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi.
The award recognises his outstanding contribution to mustard research and development in Jharkhand. Of the five Gold Medals instituted by the Society for Rapeseed Mustard Research at the Indian Institute of Rapeseed and Mustard Research, Bharatpur (Rajasthan), Dr Kumar was one of the recipients selected from among 350 participants from across the country.
Popular Mustard Variety Developed
Dr Kumar developed the improved variety ‘Birsa Bhabha Mustard-1’, which has gained wide acceptance among farmers in Jharkhand. The variety produces bold seeds with 40 per cent oil content and was developed in collaboration with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai.
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It matures within 112–120 days and has an average yield potential of 14.9 quintals per hectare.
The award was presented on 8 February 2026 by Dr D.K. Yadav, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR, in the presence of Dr Trilochan Mahapatra, Chairman, Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers’ Rights Authority and former Director General, ICAR, and Dr Arbind Kumar, former Vice-Chancellor, Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi.
BAU Vice-Chancellor S.C. Dubey, Director of Research P.K. Singh and Chairperson of the Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding Manigopa Chakraborty congratulated Dr Arun Kumar on his achievement.
Ranchi Agriculture College Alumni to Meet on February 14–15
Alumni of Ranchi Agriculture College (ARAC) will gather on February 14-15 for their 16th alumni meet to revisit memories and deliberate on the institution’s future development and improved placement opportunities for current students.
ARAC Secretary and Associate Professor of Horticulture Arun Kumar Tiwary said around 150 alumni are expected to attend, with nearly 50 per cent travelling from outside Jharkhand.
Established in 1955, the college offers BSc, MSc and PhD programmes in various disciplines of agriculture. Over the decades, it has produced several vice-chancellors, IAS officers and corporate leaders.
Manigopa Chakraborty, Chairperson of the Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding, is the President of ARAC, while Savita Ekka serves as Treasurer.