ICAR sponsored 21 days winter school at CAZRI, RRS, Bikaner.

ICAR sponsored Winter School on “Approaches for enhancing the farmer income through integrated farming and crop diversification in arid and semi-arid ecosystem” is being organised at ICAR- CAZRI, RRS, Bikaner during 28th January, 2025 to 17th February 2025. In this winter school, 25 scientists/Assistant professors from ICAR institutes and 12 state agricultural universities covering 7 states are participating. The main objective of this winter school is to give an insight to the participants about various advance technologies for efficient and sustainable utilization of natural resources for increasing farmer’s income in arid and semi-arid region. Dr. Birbal, Principal Scientist is the course director of the winter school. Dr. N.R. Panwar, Principal Scientist and Head, Dr. M.L. Soni, Principal Scientist and Dr. R.S. Shekhawat, Scientist are the course co-ordinators of this winter school. The inaugural program was chaired by Dr. Bimlesh Mann, ADG (Education planning and home science), ICAR, New Delhi. She emphasized that integration of different agricultural components and crop diversification in agriculture is the gateway to increase the farmer’s income and this winter school is focussing and addressing all such issues related to increase the farmer’s income in sustainable way. She also highlighted on various initiatives taken by education division of ICAR for different courses and programmes to improve the scientific knowledge of resource persons of ICAR institutes, SAUs and extension workers. She took a great interest in research activities of the station and visited various scientific experiments on stress management, water management, nano- nutrients, agroforestry and IFS systems. She appreciated the technologies developed by the scientists of regional research station, Bikaner and their contribution in agricultural package of practices for this region. Dr. N.R. Panwar, Head and Principal Scientist of Regional Research Station, Bikaner briefed on research activities conducted by this station and Head Quarter at Jodhpur on IFS, crop diversification and other related field justifying the claim of this station to organise such courses for scientific personnel. He also provided an insight on the related technologies developed by RRS, Bikaner in these areas which have been included in package of practices in this region and benefitting the farmers. Dr. Birbal, course director briefed about the technical programs of winter school. In this winter school,scientific lectures by senior faculty members of ICAR institutes, SAUs, Vet. University, and other related departments will be delivered on various aspects of agriculture and allied activities. Besides class room teaching, field visits will also be conducted to get an exposure on various research activities being conducted by ICAR institutes and SAUs. The possible interactions and field visits to successful farmers and entrepreneurs will also be conducted. The program was moderated by Dr. R.S. Shekhawat, Scientist, CAZRI, RRS, Bikaner. The meeting ended with vote of thanks by Dr. M.L. Soni, Principal Scientist, CAZRI, RRS, Bikaner.