Patna: The three-day Institute Research Council (IRC) Meeting of the ICAR–Research Complex for Eastern Region (ICAR-RCER) began in Patna on Wednesday, bringing together scientists and agricultural experts to review ongoing research programmes and identify future priorities for sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture in eastern India.
The meeting, being held from August 5 to 7, is chaired by Dr Anup Das, Director of ICAR-RCER, and focuses on evaluating scientific progress, refining research strategies and developing technologies aimed at addressing farmers’ needs.
Focus On Interdisciplinary, Farmer-Centric Research
In his virtual address, Dr Rakesh Kumar, Assistant Director General (Natural Resource Management), ICAR, urged scientists to develop interdisciplinary research programmes in collaboration with other institutions.
He emphasised aligning research with national priorities to create climate-resilient, impactful and farmer-centric technologies.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Anup Das encouraged scientists to develop innovative technologies and products that directly address challenges faced by farmers.
He also urged researchers to use the meeting as a platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing and advancing scientific research for the benefit of society.
Experts Review Research Priorities
The inaugural session featured expert observations from Dr Bikas Das, Director of the National Research Centre on Litchi, Muzaffarpur; Dr P.K. Mishra, Director of BAMETI, Patna; Dr Raghavendra Singh, Director of MGIFRI, Motihari; Dr Arun Pandit, Principal Scientist at CIFRI, Kolkata; and Dr Arnab Sen, In-charge of the IVRI Kolkata Centre.
The experts reviewed ongoing research projects and offered recommendations to strengthen their scientific quality and practical relevance.
Five Key Research Themes
During the meeting, scientists will deliberate on research under five broad thematic areas:
- Genetic resource management and improved production technologies for horticultural crops
- Regenerative and integrated farming systems for climate-resilient agriculture
- Natural resource management to improve land and water productivity
- Sustainable livestock and fisheries production systems
- Socio-economic, extension and policy research
Researchers will present progress reports on institute-funded and externally funded projects for technical review and discussion. The exercise aims to assess scientific achievements, ensure research remains relevant to emerging agricultural challenges and align future work with national priorities.
MoU Signed For Improved Vegetable Seed Production
The programme began with a tree plantation drive led by Dr Anup Das and other dignitaries.
Dr Kamal Sarma, Head of the Division of Livestock and Fisheries Management and In-charge of the PME Cell, welcomed participants and presented the action taken report on recommendations made during the previous IRC meeting.
On the sidelines of the event, ICAR-RCER signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bengaluru-based NGO Development Focus for the production of improved vegetable seeds developed at the Farming Systems Research Centre for Hill and Plateau Region (FSRCHPR), Ranchi.
The collaboration will focus on seed production of improved varieties of tomato, ridge gourd, bottle gourd, bitter gourd, cowpea and dolichos bean.
Around 100 scientists and technical officers from ICAR-RCER, FSRCHPR Ranchi, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Ramgarh, and KVK, Buxar are participating in the meeting to deliberate on current research activities and future priorities for eastern India’s agriculture.
