Agriculture Secretary visited IIVR, came face to face with the work of scientists

Varanasi, March 28 (HS). Manoj Ahuja, Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, visited the Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR) located in Rohania-Shahenshahpur on Thursday. The Secretary took information about farmer friendly activities and work of agricultural scientists in the institute. Director of the institute, Dr. Tushar Kanti Behera gave a detailed presentation and explained the activities.

The director said that the institute has so far developed more than 128 vegetable varieties. Recently, 28 new varieties have been notified through the Government of India Gazette. He also told about the work being done in the institute in organic farming, protected farming and mushroom etc. as well as processing technology and biotechnology. The Central Secretary also learned about the problems of some farmers and FPO people and advised them to do better work to benefit the farmers.

While telling about the farmer friendly schemes of the government, the Secretary appealed to the scientists to plan research and development on vegetable crops keeping in mind the current problems of farming. He encouraged scientists for vegetable seed production, so that high quality seeds can be delivered to more and more farmers.

Before this, the Secretary also participated in the coordination meeting at IRRI Center in Varanasi to discuss climate change and better livelihood of farmers. The meeting was also attended by representatives of India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal along with Dr Ajay Kohli, Interim Director General of IRR, Paritosh Hazra, Joint Secretary (IC), Ministry of Agriculture, Government of People's Republic of Bangladesh (Waheeda Akhtar Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture) etc. took.