The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Shri Arjun Munda, virtually inaugurated new facilities at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in Assam, marking a significant step towards enhancing agricultural development in the North-Eastern region. The inauguration included administrative and academic buildings, the Manas Guest House, Subansiri Girls Hostel, and Brahmaputra Boys Hostel at the institute’s Dirpai Chapori, Gogamukh location. Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Kailash Choudhary, was present at the event and also visited an exhibition stall at the institute.
Shri Munda emphasized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s focused efforts on the North-East’s development, stating that the Central Government has actively worked to integrate the region’s agricultural sector into the national mainstream. The Prime Minister’s vision has added a new dimension to the region’s development, with agriculture playing a crucial role in India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. An ambitious mission involving Rs 11 thousand crore is underway to make India self-reliant in oilseeds and reduce the import burden of edible oils, aiming for a future where India shifts from importing to exporting these commodities.
Highlighting the importance of developing climate-resilient crop varieties, Shri Munda called for agriculture education to be closely linked with livelihood and employment opportunities, emphasizing the need for special attention to biodiversity studies. He expressed hope that within a year, IARI Assam would become a premier choice for agricultural research, focusing on climate and gender-neutral technologies.
Minister of State Shri Kailash Choudhary urged scientists to leverage the North-East Region’s natural diversity, advocating for technology development that aligns with organic and natural farming. He stressed the importance of research in pulses and oilseeds to reduce the country’s export expenses and linked agricultural research with entrepreneurship, highlighting the significance of open idea exchange between different organizations.
Dr. Ranoj Pegu, Minister of Education, Welfare of Plain Tribes and Backward Classes, Government of Assam, and Member of Parliament, Lakhimpur Shri Pradan Baruah, acknowledged IARI Assam’s potential to meet the expectations of the North-East’s youth. Dr. Himansu Pathak, Secretary DARE and DG ICAR, New Delhi, virtually addressed the gathering, outlining IARI Assam’s objectives and mandates, emphasizing the North-East’s untapped potential for agricultural development.
The inauguration of IARI Assam’s new facilities represents a milestone in ICAR’s history, with the institute set to play a pivotal role in the agricultural development of the North-East, aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s vision for the region’s comprehensive growth.