ICAR Commemorated World Food Day

 

     The ICAR Research Complex for Goa and Krishi Vigyan Kendra celebrated the “World Food Day” function under the theme “Food prices  from crisis to stability” on 17^th October, 2011 at the KVK campus old Goa in presence of Shri Madhav Sahakari, Chairman Goa Milk producers Co-operative Society, Dr. N.P.Singh, Director, ICAR RC Goa, Shri D. Dhaimodkar, Zonal Agril. Officer, Tiswadi, Fr, Inacio Almeida, progressive farmer from Bhironda, and Scientists, Extension Officers, KVK staff and over 100 farmers and farm women from nearby villages.

      Shri Madhav Sahakari in his presidential address recalled the liberation era on the agricultural front and highlighted the contribution of Scientists and technology transfer officials who enabled the country usher in “Green Revolution”.  He mentioned that inspite of many achievements in this sector the increasing population and the growing demand for food has thrown new challenges before Scientists and officials as well as farmers to work towards per unit productivity increase not only in agricultural commodities but also Animal Husbandry to enable Goa to become self sufficient.  He stressed towards the role of government to bring dignity to this noble profession and appealed all the farmers to take maximum advantage of the schemes and programmes which are one of the best in the country and said ICAR and State Departments are doing yeomen service for the betterment of the community.

     In his key note address, Dr. N.P.Singh, Director, ICAR welcomed the dignitaries as well as Scientists KVK  staff and the farmers for this important event. He briefly highlighted the significance of the World Food day which  focuses on the issue of agriculture commodity prices which he said has direct bearing on demand supply chain.  He further said that the FAO theme this year focuses on our sustained efforts to ensure that the food prices are affordable to  those living  in poor conditions but also meet the food demand of affluent population within the country as well as abroad.  Referring to Goa, he mentioned that marketing is not a problem  in Goa but increasing the productivity is a concern. Citing example of rice he said that the new varieties and the technologies development by ICAR and transferred by KVK in field should be effectively utilized by farmers to bring about productivity increase.  Replacement of variety once in three years in case of rice was given as example. 

     He further mentioned that Goa is blessed with flow of tourists and huge chain of hotels with constant food demand which can be meet locally if scientific approaches are adopted by farmers.  He emphasized on various cropping systems which has tremendous potential in the State and finally highlighted the importance of integration of animal  enterprises,  nutrition garden and home stead farming so as to be self sufficient on food front.

     Shri D. Dhaimodkar, Zonal Agricultural Officer who represented the Director of Agril. mentioned about the various developmental schemes for the benefit of farming community.  He said that the annual Budget of Rs. 75 crores by the Government would  provide all the benefits to farmers not only in cultivation of crops but also its marketing under GSHCL.  He mentioned that the Department is giving priority to infrastructure creation and farm mechanism to farmers clubs  Leser groups and SHG’s  up to 75%  subsidy and appealed the farmers to avail the benefits of the schemes.

     In his brief speech Fr. Ignacio Almeida narrated his association with KVK and ICAR in  updating the latest knowledge and shared his experience regarding his recent tour to Korea to attend International organic Congress.  He complimented ICAR and KVK as well as State Agriculture Department for working upliftment of farming community in the State for last 3 decades.

    Earlier, Dr.B.L.Manjunath, Sr.Scientist (Agronomy) welcomed the dignitaries and highlighted the importance of World food day celebration.

     Dr. Raj Narayan, Programme Coordinator, Krishi Vigyan Kendra  (North Goa) finally proposed vote of thanks to all the dignitaries and the staff who were directly or indirectly involved to make the event a success.

   Latter the farmers were taken on a visit to experimental plots of rice and other units to see the performance of various technologies at Research farm/Labs visually and then they were interacted with Scientists extension official and learnt the technologies.

     The programme was compared by Dr. V.S.Sakharkhar, SMS (Agril. Extension).