Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar recently launched two initiatives in Rajasthan in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
These initiatives include the inauguration of a Regional Research Center for Groundnut Research and a Trainee Home for the Central Institute of Aired Horticulture at Bikaner.
Additionally, he laid the foundation stone of the Regional Shri Anna (Milits) Research Center at Gadmalani, Barmer.
Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar attended the function virtually, and other dignitaries including Minister of State for Law and Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and Culture Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Chaudhary, Regional People’s Representatives , ICAR. Director General Dr Himanshu Pathak, scientists and farmers were also present.
During the Bikaner function, Vice President Lakshmi Dhankar lauded the government’s historic step of introducing the Women’s Reservation Bill in Parliament.
He also highlighted the importance of millet and Bikaner’s groundnut branding potential for business. The Vice President mentioned that the United Nations has declared 2023 as the International Year of Sorghum, emphasizing the importance of sorghum-based nutrition.
Vice President Lakshmi Dhankar praised the success of India’s agriculture sector, which has made the country self-sufficient in food grains and an exporter of food grains.
He also acknowledged the importance of government initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, which provides free ration to more than one crore people thanks to the hard work of farmers.
The Vice President praised the technological advancements in Indian agriculture, noting that farmers are now directly connected to government support without intermediaries. He celebrated India’s status as the 5th economic superpower, attributing this success to the hard work of farmers and workers. He encouraged farmers to participate in agricultural research to improve production without incurring losses.
In Barmer, the Vice President emphasized the important role of farmers in the country’s economy, recognizing their contribution to food security and national development. He highlighted the patriotism of peasant families and encouraged pride in India’s emerging role on the world stage.
Union Agriculture Minister Tomar congratulated the farmers and agricultural scientists for their cooperation and hoped that the Regional Shri Anna Research Center at Barmer would lead to a new agricultural revolution.
He praised India’s achievements in food production, horticulture and milk production under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. Tomar emphasized the importance of global promotion of Indian crops like shri Anna (sorghum) and processing to benefit small farmers.
The event held in Rajasthan celebrated agricultural development, government initiatives, and the contribution of farmers and scientists to ensure food security and economic growth. He also highlighted the importance of sorghum and the need for agricultural research and processing to further support farmers.
First Published: 28 Sep 2023, 14:20 IST