Foundation
Day Celebrated with the theme “Women-led Agri-entrepreneurship”
Ludhiana
January 11, 2025
The ICAR-Agricultural Technology
Application Research Institute (ATARI) celebrated its Foundation Day on January
11, 2025, with a grand event highlighting its contributions to agricultural
research and extension activities. The event featured an impressive lineup of
dignitaries, including Chief Guest Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice-Chancellor,
SKUAST-K, Srinagar, and Guest of Honour Dr. Naveen Kumar, Vice-Chancellor,
CSKHPKV, Palampur. Other esteemed guests included Dr. A.K. Mehta, former
Director, ICAR-ATARI, and Dr. Nachiket Kotwaliwale, Director, ICAR-CIPHET, and
Directors of Extension Education (DEE) from various universities.
The programme began with the
ICAR theme song, setting a vibrant tone for the day. Dr Parvender Sheoran,
Director, ICAR-ATARI, welcomed the attendees and highlighted the achievements
of Zone-I, reflecting the institute's pivotal role in advancing agricultural
research and extension.
Dr. Anupama Singh, Joint
Director (Education) and Dean, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, delivered a key address.
She emphasized the vision of “Viksit
Bharat" and the importance of strengthening extension activities. She
advocated for equal land ownership rights for women farmers, underlining their
potential to achieve sustainability and zero poverty goals. Dr. Singh stressed
collaborations with NGOs and the commercialization of patents for agricultural
advancement.
Seven publications from
ICAR-ATARI and KVKs were unveiled during the event, showcasing the institute's
commitment to knowledge dissemination. The event also featured a prize
distribution ceremony, in which women scientists, national awardees, entrepreneurs
and contributors to the registration of local farmers' varieties were honoured.
Women at ICAR-ATARI were also recognized for their significant contributions,
to promoting inclusivity and excellence.
Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai
emphasized the commercialization of secondary agriculture, women's empowerment,
and the adoption of good agricultural practices to achieve nutritional and
economic sustainability. Dr A.K. Mehta offered blessings for ATARI's future
endeavours, while Dr Nachiket Kotwaliwale addressed the urgent need to reduce
post-harvest losses, which currently cost ₹1.5 lakh crore annually.
Dr. P.K. Sharma called for
stronger policy-making to support entrepreneurship and market-oriented
training, while Dr. Naveen Kumar praised the AUC portal (KVK Shaksham) and
ATARI’s real-time monitoring system. He stressed enhancing Self-Help Groups
(SHGs) through targeted interventions and collaborations with KVKs.
More than 200 agricultural
scientists and entrepreneurs participated in the celebration. The Foundation
Day celebration highlighted ICAR-ATARI’s unwavering dedication to advancing
agricultural research, fostering sustainability, and empowering farming
communities across the region.
