ICAR-CCARI, Goa celebrates 35th Foundation Day

ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa celebrated its 35th Foundation Day on 1st April 2024. Dr Gurbachan Singh, Former Chairman, Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), New Delhi and Chairman, Gurbachan Singh Foundation for Research, Education and Development (GSFRED), Karnal was the Chief Guest of this function. Shri Govindaraju N.S., IAS, Controller, Human Space Flight Center, Bengaluru, Prof. M.K. Janarthan, Chairperson, Goa State Research Foundation, Goa, Dr V.S. Korikanthimath, Former Director, ICAR-CCARI, Goa and Dr N. P. Singh, Ex-Director, ICAR-CCARI, Goa were the Guests of Honour. Dr. Gurbachan Singh in his address said that ICAR-CCARI can be a model institute in ICAR after appreciating the achievements of the Institute. He urged the scientists to work on rainwater harvesting, promotion of integrated farming system (IFS), management of soil erosion and soil salinity, forewarning and anticipatory research on natural disasters. He has also highlighted biodiversity of coastal region as the biggest opportunity, which has to be utilized in a sustainable manner. He emphasized the integrated use of organic and inorganic agrochemicals for pest and disease management. Dr Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR-CCARI, Goa welcomed the chief guest and special guests. In his welcome address, he has highlighted the achievements of the institute during the last year. Dr V S Korikanthimath, in his remarks, urged the scientists to forge collaboration with various institutions located in the coastal area to have presence on east as well as the west coast of India. In his address, Dr NP Singh praised the staff of the Institute for doing excellent work. He has highlighted the importance of Arecanut-based farming system (Kulagar) for better agricultural sustainability. Prof. M K Janarthanam, in his speech, committed to facilitating collaborations with various institutes situated in coastal areas to have the presence of ICAR-CCARI throughout the entire coastal region of India. Shri Govindaraju N.S., in his address, congratulated the scientists for doing very diverse research works representing coastal agriculture. He praised the work of the Institute to mainstream the special section of society through touch-and-feel agriculture. On this occasion, Institute scientific, technical, administrative, skilled support, project staff and progressive farmers were awarded and felicitated for their valuable contribution. Dr Uthappa A. R., Senior Scientist (Agroforestry) compered the programme and Dr Sujeet Desai, Scientist (Land and Water Management Engineering) proposed the vote of thanks.