The objectives of IRC were to deliberate, refine, and reorient ongoing projects and formulate the ongoing projects to meet the regional...

ICAR-RCER Patna Holds IRC Meet 2025 to Plan Future Agri Research 

The Institute Research Council (IRC) Meeting 2025 of the ICAR-RCER, Patna was held from 21st to 23rd July, 2025. In the inaugural programme, the occasion was graced by the Director, BAMETI, Sh. Dhananjay Pati Tripathi, Sh. K.P.S. Keshari, President, Bihar Industries Association (BIA), and Sh. Sanjeev Kumar, a progressive farmer, to represent the states’ industry's and farmers' expectations from the research.  

On the second and third day, Dr. Bikas Das, Director, NRC on Litchi, was present as an expert to refine and improve the ongoing research projects and new projects. Scientists from Hq. Patna, FSRCHPR, Ranchi, ATARI, Patna, Heads of KVKs, administrative staff, and other technical staff were present.

The objectives of IRC were to deliberate, refine, and reorient ongoing projects and formulate the ongoing projects to meet the regional and national priorities. Dr. A. Velmurugan, ADG (S&WM), ICAR, participated virtually to review the seven newly proposed projects. He emphasized the need for streamlining project objectives in line with national agricultural priorities and highlighted the importance of inter-institutional collaboration. He also insisted on segregating the projects addressing diagnostic, prognostic, regional, and national priority research.ADG also provided constructive input for refining objectives and methodologies.

In his inaugural remarks, Dr. Anup Das, Director, ICAR-RCER and Chairman of IRC, laid out the institute’s roadmap for future research. He emphasized the concept of "One Team, One Task", and urged the scientific community to prioritize solutions with minimal negative externalities, especially under the challenges posed by climate change.The director also outlined major thematic areas of the research where all the ongoing and new projects to be grouped which includes IFS, agri-food system research, CRA, Land and Water productivity, Digital agriculture, value addition, and Policy Research. The director also gave a brief about the new project Kaushal-se-Kisan Samridhiwhich aims to upskill marginalized sections of the society into viable agri ventures.

Dr. Abhay Kumar, In-charge of the PME Cell, delivered the formal welcome address and provided a detailed overview of the institute's ongoing research activities, achievements, and the critical role of IRC meetings in ensuring scientific accountability and relevance.

Guest of Honour, Sh. Dhananjay Pati Tripathi, Director, BAMETI, in his address stressed the importance of pulse and oilseed research, and highlighted the need to focus on district-level seed hubs, particularly for pulses and oilseeds. He emphasized on the role importance of vegetable seed production and called for research on revised and region-specific fertilizer dosages for major crops in Bihar.

Sh. K.P.S. Keshari, President, Bihar Industries Association (BIA), echoed the need for ensuring food security and doubling farmers’ income. He emphasized enhanced lab-to-farm linkage and the need for inclusive technological interventions to reach marginal and smallholder farmers.Sh. Sanjeev Kumar, a progressive farmer, shared his experiences and expectations from agricultural research institutions, emphasizing practical solutions and farm-level applicability.

Dr. Bikash Das appreciated the institute’s shift from commodity based research to system based research and also into futuristic  areas of research like carbon farming, ecosystem services and future farming.

Over the course of three intellectually stimulating days, the IRC witnessed the deliberation of around 85 ongoing and completed projects, along with a rigorous evaluation of seven new proposals. While considering new projects, discussions revolved around emerging challenges and priority themes such as climate-smart farming, post-harvest value chains, Integrated

Natural Farming, tuber crop development, crop diversification, and livelihood enhancement of smallholder farmers.The three days IRC also featured a brainstorming session on Rice -fallow and genetic improvement of Black Bengal goat.

Three days intense deliberations were held in the institute which reaffirms the institute’s commitment to cutting-edge, inclusive, and impact-driven agricultural research.

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