Connect with:
Thursday / November 7. 2024

logo
mobile-logo
HomePosts Tagged "DARE"
AgroPolicy, Carbon Farming, Nature, Sustainability

Introducing farmers to the carbon market will not only benefit them but also accelerate the adoption of environment-friendly agricultural practices

Arjun Munda, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Tribal Affairs, launched the Framework for Voluntary Carbon Market in the Agriculture Sector and Accreditation Protocol of Agroforestry Nurseries in Delhi. Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Secretary of DARE and Director General of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Senior officials of Central and State Ministries and Various Organisations related to agriculture were present on the occasion, while many stakeholders also joined the programme virtually.

In his address, Munda said that the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare prepared a framework to promote the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) in the agricultural sector of the country to encourage small and medium farmers to avail benefits of carbon credit. Introducing farmers to the carbon market will not only benefit them but also accelerate the adoption of environment-friendly agricultural practices. He requested full cooperation from the concerned ministries of the Centre and the States and other concerned organizations to promote the carbon market in the interest of farmers. He said that work should be done in this direction in collaboration with the farmers of the southern areas, in a manner convenient for them and along with the solution; there is a need to focus its benefits on our farmers. This is the first step in which we want to ensure everyone’s participation. Global challenges like global warming are in front of all of us; hence we have to move ahead with caution. He asked ICAR to play an active role in this direction and do good work in the right manner.

Munda said that the Accreditation Protocol of Agroforestry Nurseries will strengthen the institutional arrangements for production and certification of planting material on a large scale to promote agroforestry in the country. He asked all the stakeholders to adopt it so that quality planting material can provide assured returns and the objectives and goals of the National Agroforestry Policy can be achieved. He also urged for proper use of natural resources.

Introducing farmers to the carbon market will

AgroPolicy, Environment, Foodgrains, India, People, Sustainability

FGNI to organise 4 seminars this year to suggest measures for the betterment of small and marginal farmers

In the next 25 years, by the time India’s Amritkal is complete, India will write a better and more spectacular story wherein the agriculture sector will play an important role, said Dr Himanshu Pathak, Director General, Indian Council of Agriculture Research & Secretary, Department of Agriculture Research and Education (DARE). He describes the coming together of centres, states, industry and Civil Society organisations in the welfare of the agriculture sector as a healthy thing, under the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India.

He was speaking at a seminar in New Delhi on ‘Unlocking the Potential of India’s Agriculture: Key to Unleash A Thriving Economy’ organised by the Foundation for the Growth of New India (FGNI).

Dr Pathak who himself was a farmer in his early growing-up years said that he feels the pain of India’s farmers, particularly the small and marginal farmers.

Citing the recent applauds India has received from Bill Gates and various countries, he said, “We have come a long way from begging bowl in hands to self-sufficiency and second largest producer of food grains, however, if India is to be developed nation, most probably by 2047, it cannot happen without agriculture and contribution of small and marginal farmers.”

Dr Pathak was joined by Dr R. B. Singh, Chancellor of Central Agricultural University, Imphal and President & Founding Member of FGNI and Shri R. G. Agarwal, Advisor, FGNI.

Dr R. B. Singh strongly pitched for making growth inclusive, sustainable, symmetric, high-performing and in line with the SDG goals of India.

R. G. Agarwal candidly spoke at length on a number of issues faced by Indian farmers, including the use of injurious pesticides imported from China which is damaging the soil and crops, lack of technology in hands of farmers, different treatment to fertiliser and pesticides by the government etc. and demanded free & competitive markets to maximise farmers’ income, time-bound approval for researched based products used in agriculture, enabling policy initiatives & incentives for precision farming and advance IT tools for agriculture.

“India has a great potential to increase both production and export of food grains and crop chemicals. If we have a more enabling environment and policy support, India can easily be the leader in this space. Moreover, if we can do away with waste of food grains which is roughly 30 per cent, which is possible through technology, we will be prepared to meet our requirements in 2050 too, “said Agarwal.

Binod Anand, who spoke on the plight of small and marginal farmers, proposed to organise four deliberations on the issues faced by farmers. The same was agreed upon by all scientists and eminent personalities. DG ICAR Dr Himanshu Pathak also accepted to be a patron of the foundation.

FGNI to organise 4 seminars this year

Agro Universities, India, R&D

The quarterly periodical consists of education-centric articles, agri- university profiles, Experiential Learning Programmes (ELP) of Agricultural Universities and student success stories

To give further impetus to the popularisation of agricultural education, the Division of Agricultural Education, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has undertaken a new initiative by publishing a magazine ‘AGRI RISE—Agricultural Education Digest’. The quarterly periodical consists of education-centric articles, Agricultural University profiles, Experiential Learning Programmes (ELP) of Agricultural Universities, student success stories, and information on events organised and forthcoming events related to agricultural education.

The first issue was released by Himanshu Pathak, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) in the presence of Sanjay Garg, Additional Secretary (DARE) & Secretary (ICAR); Alka Nangia Arora, Additional Secretary (DARE) & Financial Advisor (ICAR); R C Agrawal, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Education) and other senior officials of ICAR at ICAR-IARI grounds today.

Each issue of the magazine would have a broad theme. The inaugural issue focused on ‘New Education Policy 2020’ with regard to Agricultural Education. It contains articles starting from the history of agricultural education to making the agriculture education system in India future ready. Profile of the first Agricultural University in the country, viz. Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture & Technology (GBPUA&T), Pantnagar, and the first Deemed University, viz., Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) is presented. Besides the education-centric articles, the details of the ELPs along with some success stories of student entrepreneurs are also included. It is believed that the magazine will be very useful, informative, and beneficial for students, parents, teachers, and other stakeholders.

The journal is published by ICAR-Directorate of Agricultural Management (DKMA), ICAR and articles can be sent to the editor by email. 

The quarterly periodical consists of education-centric articles,

Agro Universities, India, Sustainability

Himanshu Pathak addresses the workshop and puts emphasis on the need of technology backstopping to attain sustainability in farming

Secretary Himanshu Pathak, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) inaugurated NIRD Cold Room on the occasion of One Day workshop on FPCs/FPOs activities of the district. The workshop was inaugurated by Minister-in-Charge Pradip Mazumdar, Panchayat and Rural Development, Government of West Bengal. Pradip Mazumdar, Minister-in-Charge Panchayat & Rural development of West Bengal appreciated the effort to conduct such workshop for FPCs/FPOs of the district and mentioned that FPCs are the future of farming community. He has also emphasised need of technology backstopping to attain sustainability in farming & schemes like Matir Sristi prokolpo and Krisak Bima Yojana which has played a vital role in development of farming community of the district.

Dr Pathak, while addressing the workshop stated to perceive the fullest potential of the FPCs/FPOs more technical skill-oriented training is needed. He has taken keen interest in convergence of line departments at district and state level and inter-state exposure visit of FPCs to expedite the control over their business. He appreciated the concept of Mrittika’ branding of FPCs/FPOs products by WBCADC-Krishi Vigyan Kendra Bankura.

Radhika Aiyar, District Magistrate Bankura, FH Rahman, Principal Scientist, senior officials of Govt of West Bengal and around 150 FPCs, FPOs, Farmers Group and SHG cluster members were present in the workshop.FH Rahman, Principal Scientist, ICAR-ATARI Kolkata while welcoming the Guests highlighted the need of FPCs/FPOs to attain sustainable livelihood and security at their end. He also explained the need of diversifying product items and creating innovative marketing channel.

Moumita Dey Gupta, Head of CADC-KVK Bankura briefed about the initiatives/activities taken to promote FPCs of the district.

Himanshu Pathak addresses the workshop and puts

Acts & Schemes – Centre, India, Start ups

Agri startups one of key partners to boost agriculture exports

Kailash Choudhary, Minister of State (Agriculture and Farmers Welfare), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India said that soon an accelerator programme of Rs 500 crore will be started to take forward the successful initiatives of Agri Startups in which DARE, DPIIT, Agri Incubators, agriculture universities, research institutes, investors and other stakeholders will be included.

Choudhary said that there will be a separate division of Agriculture Startup to be set up in the Ministry to be led by Joint Secretary. “A cell will also be created to work as a single window agency to facilitate all the linkages required for agri startups,” he added.

Dr Sudhanshu, Secretary, APEDA, Ministry of Commerce and Industries, GoI, emphasised that increasing agriculture exports is a national imperative and Agri startups are potential partners in this journey. Efforts are being made to promote and support agri startups for engagement in agri exports and strengthening of the startup ecosystem.

Agri startups one of key partners to