72nd Foundation Day of IISR celebrated with great fervour
The 72nd Foundation Day of the ICAR-IISR, Lucknow was celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm. At the outset, Dr. R. Viswanathan, Director, ICAR- IISR welcomed the Chief Guest, Guests of Honour and presented a brief overview of research and developmental activities of the Institute during year 2022, He expressed his satisfaction that the newly developed sugarcane variety CoLk 14201 is showing great promise in Uttar Pradesh.
The Chief Guest of the function, Sh. Sanjay R. Bhoosreddy, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Sugar Industry and Cane Development, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh congratulated the scientists of the Institute for the unparallel success achieved in sugarcane production and sugar sector. He urged the Scientists to go deep into empirical and database research and not ignoring focus on farmer and sugar industry centric technology oriented research. He also urged the scientists to look deeply the adverse effects of climate change and to develop strategy to combat its challenge. He expressed satisfaction over massive use of IISR developed technologies such as varieties, IPK and IDM ratoon management device, sugarcane cutter planter, trench planter, intercropping etc. He also narrated about various schemes of the Sugarcane Department of Govt. of UP which has increased the income of sugarcane farmers, significantly during past 5-6 years. He urged the sugarcane farmers to minimize use of chemical fertilizers and insecticides and adopt natural farming or low input technologies.
The Guest of Honour, Dr. S. Solomon, Ex. Vice-Chancellor, CS Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur lauded the R & D work of the IISR, Lucknow for making the country self-reliant in sugar production by developing more than 70 technologies since the establishment of the Institute. Dr. Solomon urged the scientists to adapt drone technology, extending green technologies, enhancing efficiency for ratoon sugarcane crop and incorporating genomics. The Guest of Honour, Dr. R.K. Singh, ADG (CC), ICAR appreciated the sincere R & D efforts done by the Institute which is being reflected through 2.5 times increase of sugarcane productivity in India and significant increase in sugar recovery since the establishment of IISR, ultimately leading to self-sufficiency in sugar production and exporting to foreign countries along with enhance Green Energy Bioethanol Production for EBP. He also congratulated all the sugarcane scientists for Padma Shri Award being conferred to Dr. Bakshi Ram, Ex. Director, SBI, Coimbatore for research development work.
On the occasion, the Chief Guest and the Guests of Honour honoured various scientists and officers for their dedicated and sincere services in the Institute building activities and increasing visibility of the Institute. The best staff appreciation award for different categories for their outstanding work. Two books, entitled Sugarcane Management Practices in India and Ikshu and one folder KVK, ICAR-IISR, Lucknow at a Glance were also released on the occasion. Various entertaining competitions like Rangoli, Drawing, Ballon Team Game, Tug of War and Musical Corner were also organized for the staff of the Institute. The programme was conducted by Dr. Anita Sawnani. Dr. A.K. Sah, Principal Scientist and Organising Secretary thanked all the participants.