The analytical lab would enhance the food safety across the agricultural products
Adv. V.S. Sunil Kumar, Minister for Agriculture, Government of Kerala virtually inaugurated two new facilities – Spice Processing Facility and Pesticide Residue Analytical Laboratory at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research headquarters in Kozikode. The occasion also marked the celebrations of the Institutes’ 25th Foundation Day. The Minister stated that the pesticide residue analytical lab would play a vital role in the efforts for enhancing the food safety across the agricultural products. He also hoped that the newly established spice processing facility would focus on enhancing the share of value-addition in spices and promote entrepreneurship in the farming community.
In his Foundation Day address, Dr A.K. Singh, Deputy Director General (Horticultural Sciences), ICAR emphasized that the spices sector will continue to evolve as a major contributor in the agricultural economy of the country. He also stressed that the research undertaken at the Institute would strengthen the ability to remain as the global powerhouse in the spice trade.
Dr R. Ramakumar, Professor, Tata Institute of Social Sciences & Member, Kerala State Planning Board, delivered a lecture on “Global and Indian challenges in agriculture sector in the Post-COVID-19 scenario.
Dr C.N. Ravishankar, Director ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Dr. V. Ravi, Director, ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute and Dr Anitha Karun, Director, ICAR-CPCRI also participated in the programme.Dr Santhosh J. Eapen, Director, ICAR-IISR presided over the events of the day.
The Institute distributed spice flavoured hand sanitizers, pedal-operated hand sanitizer dispensers and face masks to the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation. Around 5 farmers were felicitated for their significant contributions to the spices sector through innovative and scientific cultivation practices adopted in spice farming.
The various publications including Annual Report and Extension Pamphlets on Spice Cultivation were released during the occasion. More than 200 participants including Former Directors and Employees participated in the event through video conferencing.
