Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Tribal Affairs, Shri Arjun Munda inaugurated Girls Hostel “Mahua” having 156 rooms with cost of nearly 22 crores, Boy’s Hostel “Kadam” with cost of nearly 24 crores having 175 rooms and staff residential colony “Palash Vihar colony” with 25 quarters of various categories with budget outlay of nearly 11.5 crores at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Gauria Karma, Hazaribagh, Jharkhand today. Minister of State for Education, Smt. Annpurna Devi; The Member of Parliament, Hazaribag, Shri Jayant Sinha; Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE) and Director General of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Dr. Himanshu Pathak; Director, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh; ADG (Seeds), ICAR, Dr D K Yadava; OSD, IARI Jharkhand, Dr Vishal Nath and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Tribal Affairs, Shri Arjun Munda released Annual Report 2023 of ICAR-IARI Jharkhand as well as IARI bulletin. He stated in his address during Kisan Gosthi-cum-Udghatan Samaroh that today is very important day for Jharkhand as Prime Minister unveiled many projects with amount of Rs. 36000 Cr. from the land of Jharkhand including Sindri fertilizer plant at Dhanbad which will fulfil the demand of fertilizer in the states like Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha etc. This day is also a very auspicious occasion for ICAR-IARI Jharkhand as the inauguration of Girls & Boys hostels as well as Residential staff colony for the employees working in this institute.
Shri Arjun Munda further stated that Prime Minister laid foundation stone of IARI Jharkhand in sprawling campus of 1000 acres at Gauria Karma village of Hazaribagh district on 28th June, 2015 for the purpose of research & skill development in the field of agriculture. This institute will focus research on food grains, oilseeds, pulses, horticulture, forestry, dairy, livestock, fishery etc. and also impart education in these fields, as of now, 110 students already received their postgraduate degree in different disciplines and currently 240 students are pursuing B.Sc. (Agriculture) from different parts of country.
Shri Munda emphasized that green revolution that began in the 1960s enabled the nation to make great strides in domestic food production and significantly contributed to progress in agriculture and allied sectors. It transformed India from a food-deficit nation to a food-surplus country. He also stressed that our eastern states were unable to harvest fruiting of green revolution and did not progress in agriculture and allied sectors with same pace as in other parts of country therefore this institute is being devoted to become a central point for inclusive agricultural development for eastern states to laid down second green revolution in country based on organic & natural farming practices. Union Minister also encouraged farmers to use indigenously developed nano urea and also produce quality seeds by participating in seed village programme in collaboration with this institute. He highlighted vision of Prime Minister to adopt innovation in every field including in the field of agriculture and allied sectors and also 23 crores of soil health cards were provided to farmers and it will be renewed in every three years byGovernment. The scientist working here will try to find out solution to mitigate current challenges like global warming, climate change etc., and also fulfil the dream of Prime Minister to develop the eastern part of country. He concluded his speech by saying we, all should work together to make “Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat”
Dr. A. K. Singh, Director, IARI Jharkhand stated in his address that the institute’s infrastructure elevated with 156 and 175 rooms in Girls hostel “Mahua” and Boys hostel “Kadam” respectively having all the required and modern amenities. “Palash Vihar Colony” consists of a total of 25 residential quarters of TYPE–II, III, IV, V, VI and VII for the staffs and scientists of ICAR-IARI, Jharkhand with modern amenities. Each hostel complex has food court, laundry room, gym room, recreation room, reading room, solar energy system, rain water harvesting system, generator-based power back up, Wi-Fi Network, R.O. unit etc. which will cater to the student’s needs. He also mentioned that this institute is mainly built for agricultural education, research and extension and it will solve the problems of farmers of this region with newly developed innovative techniques. He also thanked Birsa Agricultural University and State government for transferring 1000 acres of land for building this institute.
Minister of State for Education, Smt. Annpurna Devi stated in her address that journey of this institute begins on 28th June 2015 and it has been established as one of best institute now in the field of agriculture. This institute is an illustration of Prime Minister thought & vision for development of agriculture and allied sectors in eastern parts of country.
The Member of Parliament, Hazaribag and Chairman of Standing Committee of Finance, GoI, Shri Jayant Sinha in his address expressed his happiness on the construction of the students hostels and residential staff colony. He thanked to Prime Minister for selecting Hazaribagh district to establish IARI Jharkhand, which is on path of emerging as a multi-disciplinary agricultural institution with global standards. He also applauded for establishing an excellent farmers linkage of Hazaribagh and nearby districts with IARI Jharkhand and extending benefit in uplifting livelihood and income of farmers in such a short time of its establishment.
Secretary, DARE & DG-ICAR Dr. Himanshu Pathak highlighted the glorious contributions of IARI in strengthening the agricultural research, education and extension in the country. He also signified that for the development of any field there is need of Education, Science & Skill. He stated that more than 85% of total population dependent on agriculture in this area. To develop agriculture with new technologies, this institute will prove a boon not only for the Jharkhand but entire country. He further stated that the upcoming second green revolution will be based on nature friendly and sustainable agriculture farming practises.
ADG (Seeds), ICAR Dr. D K Yadava highlighted that with such world class arrangement, we can attract students and scientists from different parts of the country.
Union Minister and other dignitaries planted trees in the premises of the hostel and visited the facilities of hostels and residential staff quarters.
