Focusing Research on Alleviating Farmers' Issues Suggested by Dr. Kokate at ICAR-RCER
The 21st meeting of the Research Advisory Committee (RAC) of the ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region (ICAR-RCER) took place on July 2, 2025, with a focus on enhancing agricultural development in the eastern region of India. The event, chaired by Dr. K.D. Kokate, Former Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR, New Delhi, brought together distinguished committee members, including Dr. Masood Ali, Dr. S.D. Singh, Dr. K.N. Tiwari, and Dr. S. Kumar.
The meeting commenced with an exchange of a significant Memorandum of Understanding related to mushroom research. An exhibition was organized during the visit, showcasing the institute's ongoing research initiatives and recent achievements.
Dr. Kokate highlighted the concept of "Wealth from Waste" and stressed the importance of incorporating advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in agricultural research. Dr. S. Kumar proposed adopting a System Productivity Optimization Index. Dr. A. Velmurugan, Assistant Director General (Natural Resource Management), ICAR, New Delhi, joined the meeting virtually and commended the institute's ongoing work, recommending further research in key areas such as developing farmer-centric economic models, studying soil nutrient and moisture profiles in rice-fallow areas, enhancing value chains, and exploring waste-to-wealth initiatives.
Dr. Masood Ali also suggested implementing integrated farming system models across eastern districts and emphasized the need for enhancing green cover in rice-fallow areas. Heads of Divisions from ICAR-RCER Patna, the Research Centre in Ranchi, and KVKs in Buxar and Ramgarh presented updates on ongoing research initiatives and recent achievements.
The committee members toured the institute's experimental fields, research trials, and laboratories. Dr. S.D. Singh called for greater focus on post-harvest research and minimizing losses in agriculture and allied sectors. The program concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Kamal Sharma.
Two extension folders were released during the event, and Chairman Dr. Kokate appreciated the research efforts of the institute, emphasizing that research should focus on strengthening farmers' livelihoods. The current research focus areas of ICAR-RCER, as of July 2025, include farmer-centric and translational research, enhancing water productivity and promoting climate-resilient agriculture, developing farmer-focused technologies and integrated land and water management practices, strengthening research aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, and collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and state agriculture departments to implement initiatives such as the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA).
These focus areas collectively aim at improving agricultural productivity, resilience, and farmer livelihoods in the eastern region of India.
- Dr. Kokate proposed that the institute should shift its focus towards incorporating advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in their agricultural research, aligning with the current focus areas of ICAR-RCER.
- In order to improve the green cover and agricultural resilience in rice-fallow areas, Dr. Masood Ali suggested implementing integrated farming system models and waste-to-wealth initiatives, which reflect the focus areas of ICAR-RCER that aim at strengthening farmer livelihoods.
