The MoU aims at the collaboration towards inclusive growth in agriculture for rural development.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and ICICI Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding here at the National Agricultural Science Centre Complex, New Delhi recently.
Dr Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) and Saurabh Singh, President, ICICI Foundation inked the MoU on the behalf of their respective organizations.
Dr Mohapatra and Singh mentioned that the MoU, being a significant development, will lead to widen the dissemination of the expert knowledge residing with the ICAR and the Krishi Vigyaan Kendra’s including application of various research that are undertaken.
They also emphasized that the ICICI Foundation will act as a bridge for connecting the marginal farmers with the ICAR in an attempt to significantly improve the agricultural productivity and farmers’ income in the near future. The collaboration will focus to develop the large agri-value chains.
Singh also outlined about the felicitation of the MoU by the ICAR with the Directorate of Cold Water Fisheries for piloting fishery in the hilly region in the country which has provided supplementary livelihood to the villagers in Uttarakhand.
As per the MoU, the ICAR and ICICI Foundation will be undertaking collaborative programmes in sharing the technical knowledge and know-how for training and capacity building, agricultural extension activities, consultancy and other areas of agricultural sciences in national interest. Both the organizations will take up the R&D and outreach activities in targeted areas for the farmers’ benefits. The collaboration will also focus on integrated farming approach with allied activities (like Dairy, Fisheries, Apiculture, Horticulture, etc.) being promoted for ensuring that farmers are able to earn sustainable livelihoods.
The senior officials of ICAR and ICICI Foundation were also present during the occasion.
