ICAR-NRRI celebrated 70^th Foundation Day and Dhan Diwas
The ICAR-National Rice Research Institute (NRRI), Cuttack celebrated its "70^th Foundation Day and Dhan Diwas" on 23^rd April, 2016. Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary, DARE and DG, ICAR, New Delhi and Chief Guest inaugurated the Foundation Day programme and delivered the Foundation Day Lecture which was attended by Directors of ICAR Institutes, scientists and staff of the institute. He spoke on vision-2050 of agriculture and called upon the stakeholders to find out models of production for Indian agriculture, quality enhancement, doubling of farm income through appropriate market strategy, food processing and value chain. In the Foundation Day Function he emphasized that the technology transfer system must understand very well the needs and problems of the farmers and advised to hold zonal review meetings to assess the technology application and success.

 
Chief Guest Dr.T. Mohapatra inaugurating the function by                                      Chief Guest addressing the audience
lighting lamp

 
           Release of research bulletins by the dignitaries                                   Retired scientists being felicitated by the Chief Guest

Prof. S.N. Pasupalak, Vice Chancellor, OUAT, Bhubaneswar and Guest of Honour of the programme stressed the need for proper working linkage among various organizations concerning agricultural research & development, education, transfer of technologies, agro-industries and farmers welfare organizations. Dr. A.K. Singh, DDG (Agril. Extension), ICAR and Guest of Honour highlighted the role of KVKs in agricultural development of the districts and requested the research institutes to provide their technologies for further refinement in their locations. In the beginning of the programme, Dr. A.K. Nayak, Director and Chairman highlighted the significant achievements of the institute, especially the recently released varieties including high protein rice and their suitability for different ecologies, rice-value chain and IT-based Rice Xpert mobile APP.

 
       Best workers being felicitated by the Chief Guest                        Best farmers and farmwomen being felicitated by the Chief Guest

 
                A section of the audience during the function                          Guests planting saplings in the NRRI campus

On this occasion, the chief guest inaugurated an Agricultural Exhibition showcasing technologies of ICAR-NRRI including its regional stations and KVKs, all ICAR institutes and centers located in Odisha, OUAT through its KVKs and state line departments. He also felicitated distinguished retired scientists, the best scientists and workers of the institute and progressive rice farmers and farmwomen from Odisha, Jharkhand and Assam for their innovative practices in rice-based farming system. Four research and technology bulletins were released by the dignitaries. At the outset, Dr. B.N. Sadangi, Head, Social Sciences and Co-Chairman welcomed the guests, dignitaries, invited guests and farmers and Dr. Lipi Das, Organizing Secretary offered vote of thanks at the end of the program.

 
       Guests visiting the Agricultural Exhibition Stalls                                  Chief Guest delivering Foundation Day Lecture to the staff

 
       Staff children performing during cultural event                                  Winners of various competitions being awarded in the
                                                                                                                                          evening programme

Special programs like planting of saplings by the guests, field visit for the farmers, scientists-farmers interaction involving about 250 farmers and farmwomen under 'Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav' programme of the institute, various competitions among the staff, their children and research scholars and cultural events were organized for the farmers and the staff of the institute. In the evening programme, winners of different competitions, meritorious children of staff and participants of the cultural events were awarded with certificates and prizes by Mrs. Kalpana Mohapatra, wife of the Secretary, DARE and DG, ICAR.

DG, ICAR laid the foundation stone administrative building of KVK Cuttack
The foundation stone of KVK Cuttack administrative building, a unit of ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack was laid by Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) and DG (ICAR) on 23 April 2016 in the presence of Dr. A.K. Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension) and Dr. A.K. Nayak, Director (Acting) ICAR-NRRI, Cuttack. The other dignitaries present on the occasion are Dr Anupam Mishra, Director, ATARI, Zone VII, Heads of Divisions and other officials of NRRI, Cuttack, Sri RK Shami, Chief Engineer, CPWD and team of CPWD officials.

   

The Hon'ble DG convened a meeting with the officials to review the infrastructural facilities and execution of the plan. He suggested that other facilities mainly fencing and borewells and farmers hostel should come out quickly along with the administrative building. The KVK staff expressed their deep sense of gratitude for the kind visit and encouraging words of the Hon'ble DG.