Ranchi: The ICAR–Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology (ICAR-IIAB) organised a Pre-Rabi Farmer Meet-cum-Agricultural Input Distribution Programme under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) on Thursday, bringing together 1,500 farmers from Ranchi, Khunti, Gumla and Ramgarh districts to facilitate direct interaction between farmers, scientists and policymakers and to promote the adoption of scientific and sustainable agricultural practices.The farmers’ meet focused on farmer producer organisations (FPOs) and opportunities in Jharkhand, ethno-veterinary medicines and dairy farming, fruit crop production technologies, integrated pest management in Rabi crops, crop diversification and integrated farming systems, organic and natural farming, livestock feeding management, and lac cultivation. Farmers interacted with scientists and technical experts and received practical guidance on improved agricultural and livestock practices.Union minister of agriculture and farmers’ welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated various new facilities, including the Admin-cum-School Building, Birsa Munda Multipurpose Hall, Jaipal Singh Munda Sports Complex and NEXTGEN Breeding Facility, and laid the foundation for a new guest house facility at ICAR-IIAB worth Rs 119 crore through video conferencing.Chouhan, in his address, highlighted the importance of scientific agriculture, improved seeds, integrated farming, balanced nutrient management and location-specific agricultural technologies for Jharkhand. He appreciated the institute’s efforts towards taking research and technologies to farmers and called for sustained farmer awareness and field-level extension.The minister highlighted the rich natural and traditional heritage of Jharkhand and described ICAR-IIAB as an important confluence of agricultural research, innovation and self-reliance. “While traditional knowledge remains valuable, contemporary agricultural challenges require farmers to increasingly adopt scientific and technology-driven farming practices suited to local resources and agro-climatic conditions,” he said.
