Latest news with #ICARSociety
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Mizoram minister seeks help for farmers hit by bamboo-induced famine
Aizawl: Mizoram agriculture minister PC Vanlalruata has appealed to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for special financial and technical assistance to support farmers affected by "Thingtam" — a famine caused by rodent infestation following the gregarious flowering of rawthing (bambusa tulda). Vanlalruata said farmers are struggling after swarms of rodents destroyed large swathes of paddy fields. Thingtam, a unique phenomenon triggered every 48 years, leads to an explosive rise in the rat population due to their consumption of bamboo flowers. Speaking at the 96th annual general meeting of the ICAR Society in New Delhi, Vanlalruata urged ICAR to provide expertise and funding to help mitigate the crisis. He also requested ICAR's support in developing an agri-entrepreneurship programme, along with the creation of a technology and innovation hub aimed at engaging youth in sustainable farming through start-up incubation. He also appealed to ICAR scientists to help develop high-yielding upland paddy varieties and vegetable crops tailored to Mizoram's hilly terrain and unique climate.
Hans India
08-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Jitendra calls for paradigm shift in agriculture sector
New Delhi: Technology in agriculture has progressed rapidly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership over the past 11 years, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said on Monday, calling for a paradigm shift in the agriculture sector by embracing cutting-edge technology and fostering greater synergy among stakeholders. Addressing the 96th annual general meeting of the ICAR Society at the NASC Complex in the capital, the minister said its full potential remained untapped at the ground level. Speaking at the event, chaired by Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Dr Singh underscored that every technology available globally is now accessible within India. 'It is no longer about whether technology is available—it is about how fast we adopt it and integrate it into our agricultural ecosystem to add value to our economy,' he told the gathering. The Minister stressed the importance of breaking mental and institutional silos, noting that many in the agriculture value chain are not just unaware of new technologies, but also unaware that they are unaware. Pointing to success stories like the Lavender Revolution in Jammu and Kashmir, where over 3,500 startups have emerged around lavender cultivation, Dr Singh emphasised how new-age farming — using satellite imaging, remote-controlled tractors, and order-based crop production — is reshaping the agricultural narrative. 'From lavender in Bhaderwah to off-season tulips grown for temple offerings, we have examples where science and strategy have combined to generate both income and innovation,' he noted. He also highlighted that biotech-driven advances, such as pest-resistant cotton developed through Department of Biotechnology initiatives and radiation-based food preservation techniques by the Department of Atomic Energy, are redefining how produce is grown, stored, and exported. 'Our mangoes now fly to the US thanks to these technologies. And yet, many states have not come forward to fully exploit these tools,' he observed. Dr Singh proposed more frequent and informal cross-ministerial interactions to ensure real-time exchange of innovations. 'We should not wait for annual meetings alone. Let's create working groups and reach out when solutions can be shared, spontaneously and practically,' he urged.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Arunachal seeks ICAR support to boost agriculture & horticulture
1 2 Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh agriculture minister Gabriel D Wangsu on Monday sought robust institutional support from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to boost the state's agriculture, horticulture and allied sectors while addressing the 96th annual general meeting of the ICAR Society in New Delhi on Monday. Wangsu presented a detailed 10-point proposal, highlighting the state's unique agro-climatic potential and its significant contribution to India's kiwi production, an official statement said. The meeting was chaired by Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who also serves as president of the ICAR Society. Union ministers Bhagirath Choudhary and Rajiv Ranjan Singh also attended the event. Wangsu proposed the establishment of a Central Kiwi Research Institute in Arunachal Pradesh, citing the state's contribution of over 60% to India's total kiwi production. He also sought the creation of a Multidisciplinary Organic Agriculture University focused on region-specific research and organic certification. Other key demands included upgradation of the ICAR Research Station at Basar in Leparada district into a full-fledged directorate for mid-hill zone studies, sanctioning of 10 new Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) for newly created districts, and release of funds for 8 already-approved KVKs.
United News of India
07-07-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Dr Jitendra calls for rapid adoption of agri-tech to boost India's GDP
New Delhi, July 7 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh today called for a paradigm shift in the agriculture sector by embracing cutting-edge technology and fostering greater synergy among stakeholders. Addressing the 96th Annual General Meeting of the ICAR Society here he underscored that every technology available globally is now accessible within India. 'It is no longer about whether technology is available — it is about how fast we adopt it and integrate it into our agricultural ecosystem to add value to our economy,' he said, as per the Ministry's statement here. The Minister stressed the importance of breaking mental and institutional silos, noting that many in the agriculture value chain are not just unaware of new technologies, but also unaware that they are unaware. 'Technology in agriculture has progressed rapidly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership over the past 11 years. Yet, its full potential remains untapped at the ground level,' he added. Pointing to success stories like the Lavender Revolution in Jammu and Kashmir, where over 3,500 startups have emerged around lavender cultivation, Dr. Singh emphasized how new-age farming—using satellite imaging, remote-controlled tractors, and order-based crop production—is reshaping the agricultural narrative, said the statement. 'From lavender in Bhaderwah to off-season tulips grown for temple offerings, we have examples where science and strategy have combined to generate both income and innovation,' he noted at the event attended by among others, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, scientists and officials from ICAR and associated ministries. Singh highlighted that biotech-driven advances, such as pest-resistant cotton developed through Department of Biotechnology initiatives and radiation-based food preservation techniques by the Department of Atomic Energy, are redefining how produce is grown, stored, and exported. 'Our mangoes now fly to the US, thanks to these technologies. And yet, many states have not come forward to fully exploit these tools,' he observed. 'Our biggest challenge isn't lack of technology. It's the lack of connectedness between those who develop it and those who need it. That is the bridge we must now build,' he added. UNI AJ SSP
Hans India
07-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Dr Jitendra Singh calls for paradigm shift in agriculture sector
Technology in agriculture has progressed rapidly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership over the past 11 years, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said on Monday, calling for a paradigm shift in the agriculture sector by embracing cutting-edge technology and fostering greater synergy among stakeholders. Addressing the 96th annual general meeting of the ICAR Society at the NASC Complex in the capital, the minister said its full potential still remains untapped at the ground level. Speaking at the event, chaired by Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Dr Singh underscored that every technology available globally is now accessible within India. 'It is no longer about whether technology is available—it is about how fast we adopt it and integrate it into our agricultural ecosystem to add value to our economy,' he told the gathering. The minister stressed the importance of breaking mental and institutional silos, noting that many in the agriculture value chain are not just unaware of new technologies, but also unaware that they are unaware. Pointing to success stories like the Lavender Revolution in Jammu and Kashmir, where over 3,500 startups have emerged around lavender cultivation, Dr Singh emphasised how new-age farming — using satellite imaging, remote-controlled tractors, and order-based crop production — is reshaping the agricultural narrative. 'From lavender in Bhaderwah to off-season tulips grown for temple offerings, we have examples where science and strategy have combined to generate both income and innovation,' he noted. He also highlighted that biotech-driven advances, such as pest-resistant cotton developed through Department of Biotechnology initiatives and radiation-based food preservation techniques by the Department of Atomic Energy, are redefining how produce is grown, stored, and exported. 'Our mangoes now fly to the U.S. thanks to these technologies. And yet, many states have not come forward to fully exploit these tools,' he observed. Dr Singh proposed more frequent and informal cross-ministerial interactions to ensure real-time exchange of innovations. 'We should not wait for annual meetings alone. Let's create working groups and reach out when solutions can be shared, spontaneously and practically,' he urged.
