ICAR-Mahatma Gandhi Integrated Farming Research Institute (MGIFRI), Motihari celebrated its 10^th Foundation Day on 21 August 2024.  The Chief Guest, Dr.  Suresh Kumar Chaudhari, Deputy Director General (Natural Resource Management), ICAR, New Delhi, congratulated the Director, Scientists, Administration, Finance staff, and the persons who were involved with this since its inception. He fondly recalled the memories of the foundation stone laying ceremony on August 21, 2015 in the presence of Shri Radha Mohan Singh, then Hon’ble Minister, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India, Dr.  S.  Ayappan, former Secretary (DARE) and DG, ICAR. Dr. Chaudhari also acknowledged the significant efforts made by Dr. T. Mahapatra, former Secretary (DARE) and DG, ICAR in developing the institute to cater to the needs of farmers.

The DDG (NRM) highlighted the historical significance of the location, as it is the place where the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi led the Champaran Satyagraha. He emphasized the need for Integrated Farming to address challenges in ecosystems such as flood-prone, flood-affected, and waterlogged areas, particularly in North Bihar. The similar ecological situation persists in other Eastern Indian states. He urged further development of the institute through comprehensive interdisciplinary research on Integrated Farming, including economic analysis, field validation, and technology development. Additionally, he stressed the importance of capacity building for all stakeholders, including farmers, to make waterlogged areas more productive and profitable. On this occasion, the Chief Guest, Dr. Suresh Kumar Chaudhari, inaugurated the institute’s new logo and the newly developed farm road.   

Dr. Sunil Kumar, Director of ICAR-IIFSR, Modipuram, extended his best wishes to the scientific, technical, administrative, and support staff. He praised the institute for its systematic progress with limited manpower,  noting that despite being in its early stages, it is already working towards fulfilling its mandates. He expressed confidence that the planned programs will effectively address the challenges in Bihar’s flood-prone regions. Dr. Kumar also encouraged the development of collaborations at both the state and national levels to enhance the institute’s prominence.

On this occasion, Dr. Anup Das, Director, ICAR-RCER, Patna, Dr J.S. Misha, Director, ICAR-DWR, Jabalpur (Online), Dr. Bikash Das, Director, ICAR-NRC on Litchi, Muzaffarpur, Dr Souvik Ghosh, Professor, Visva-Bharati (online), Dr. A.K. Singh, Head, KVK Piprakothi, and Dr. A. Kundu, Head, RGM Piprakothi were present. They appreciated the institute’s activities and wished for its continued development. Selected farmers were also invited and felicitated during the event.

In his welcome address, Dr. K.G. Mandal, Director of ICAR-MGIFRI, Bihar, briefed the dignitaries on the institute’s progress in the infrastructure development, the creation of additional facilities, ongoing research activities, and future plans and programs.

(Source: ICAR-Mahatma Gandhi Integrated Farming Research Institute, Motihari, Bihar)

KG Mandal
Director
ICAR-MGIFRI, Motihari