THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, Dec 2: Dr SS Chahal, eminent agricultural scientist and former Vice Chancellor of Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture & Technology, Udaipur, has urged the scientists to work on the development of water-use-efficient, heat-stress-tolerant, biofortified crop varieties having high nutritive content to meet the challenge of nutritional security in the state and the country.
“The country has moved ahead from food security and research efforts need to be focused towards high quality and high utility crops like pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits and spices to increase the income of farmers,” he said.
Dr Chahal was addressing the 45th Rabi Research Council meeting of Birsa Agricultural University (BAU) on Tuesday. “Location-specific, problem-oriented and system-responsive research is need of the hour which should be practical, viable and acceptable for farmers of the region,” he added.
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He regretted that seed replacement rate in Jharkhand is hardly 15-20 percent as compared to 60-70 percent in Punjab and Haryana. “BAU, KVKs and machinery of state government should join hands for quality seed production to make Jharkhand self reliant on this front”, Dr Chahal said.
He appealed the scientists to submit their insights and suggestions for improvement in the National Seed Bill available in the public domain till December 8, which is likely to be tabled during the current session of Parliament.
Gopaljee Tiwari, Special Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Cooperative, Government of Jharkhand, urged the scientists to make the state agriculture income-centric in place of production-centric as the average farm family income in Jharkhand is hardly 50 percent of the national average.
“Agricultural research and development approach should be socially-culturally acceptable, economically compatible and politically defendable for sustainability. KVK scientists should come forward for developing cluster of villages for large scale production of specific crops which could be identity of the district; state would provide all support for bringing such proposals on ground. Our effort should be result-oriented rather than procedure-oriented,” he stressed.
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BAU Vice Chancellor Dr SC Dubey underlined the need of strengthening of seed production infrastructure in the state and farming of Jharkhand State Seed Policy.
“Since productivity of pulses in Jharkhand is higher than the national average despite low seed replacement rate, low use of fertilizers and pesticides and meager irrigation facilities, additional area including rice fallow need to be brought under pulses cultivation especially during rabi”, Dr Dubey said.
Welcoming the guests, Director Research Dr PK Singh outlined the major research achievements and informed that 10 varieties of cereals, pulses, oilseeds and fodder crops developed by BAU scientists have been identified for release and proposal will be sent to State Variety Release Committee.
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Two progressive farmers- Narayan Yadav of Myral, Chatra and Sangeeta Tigga of Lalgutuwa, Ranchi were felicitated for their special contribution in innovative farming.
Deputy Director of Research Dr CS Mahto proposed a vote of thanks while Shashi Singh anchored the programme.
