The 33rd Annual Group Meeting of ICAR-AICRP on Palms at Bihar Agricultural University concludes with a plantation campaign.
A historic plantation program marked the conclusion of the 33rd Annual Group Meeting of ICAR-AICRP on Palms, which was hosted by Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour from 21st-23rd Aug 2024. The Annual Group Meeting this year focused on increasing the areas under palms, oil palms, coconut, arecanut etc. in the Eastern regions of India. Various government schemes on encouraging the cultivation of these plantation crops were also highlighted during this meeting. Dr. D.R. Singh, Honourable Vice Chancellor, Bihar Agricultural University in his address mentioned that three of the university’s fourteen patents are on Pal mirah. He highlighted the importance of Palmirah crop for Bihar and emphasized on the potential of palms, oil palms and coconut cultivation in the eastern states of India. He encouraged the scientists to explore possibilities in production and processing of palms to benefit the farmers of Bihar. The plantation drive on the last day of the meeting saw enthusiastic participation from the scientists and experts. Dr. V.B. Patel, ADG (Fruit & Plantation crops), ICAR, Dr. K. Narsiah, ADG (Process Engg.), ICAR, Dr. K.B. Hebbar, Director, ICAR-CPRI, Kasargod, Dr. R.K. Mathur, Director, IIOR, Hyderabad, Dr. K.Suresh, Director, ICAR-IIOR, Andhra Pradesh, Dr. P. Rethinam, Former Executive Director, ICC (APCC), Jakarta, Dr. B. Augustine Jerard, PC (Palms) along with 30 Scientists from ICAR and 60 Scientists from various State Agricultural Universities across the country, all united in their commitment in contributing to the local biodiversity. Total 100 tree saplings of Kachnaar, Maulsari, Ashok and Putrajeeva were planted in and around the campus area by the scientists to represent a lasting impact of the Annual group meeting that extend beyond the meet. This act of the Bihar Agricultural University will serve as a reminder of the efforts made during this meet will continue to flourish and contribute to the well being of farmers and ecological balance. The university pledged an ambitious environmental initiative to plant 7000 trees as a way of demonstrating its commitment to environmental stewardship for which it occasionally organizes many plantation drives. Bihar Agricultural University has taken many proactive approaches to lower its carbon footprint which includes mapping of the Green area cover in the college campus and the constituent colleges as well as of Krishi Vigyan Kendras, establishment of Nature Club, reviving of the Botanical garden, promotion of rooftop gardening and cultivation of indigenous medicinal plants, bio waste management, policy document on environmental stewardship and Blue resource conservation, landscaping with drought tolerant plants, rain water collection underground tanks and open wells, sewage treatment plant in the campus, promoting of e-vehicles in campus, rooftop solar panels to curtail its energy needs, floral waste processing plant. For these efforts the university has also been recognized as Green University with a Platinum ranking and is awarded with Environmental and Energy audit certificate. The university also bagged the Green harvest Innovator Award for Environment Friendly farming practices at the Sustainable Agriculture Summit-2024 for practicing and promoting sustainable agricultural practices including increasing the area under cultivation by bringing wasteland to use, promotion of urban farming practices such as rooftop and vertical gardening, soil health awareness among farmers, Soil nutrient mapping of different districts of Bihar, Parthenium awareness campaigns, promoting awareness on role of honeybees, spiders and other beneficial insects for crops etc. These initiatives by the Bihar Agricultural University have stood out as a part of broader efforts to promote and support sustainable practices within the scientific community and beyond.
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