Deputy Director General (Crop Science) laid the foundation stone of IISR Biological Centre new building at Pravaranagar

Dr. T. R. Sharma, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR laid foundation stone of new building of ICAR-IISR, Lucknow Biological Control Center at Pravaranagar (Maharashtra) on 29th September, 2022. At this auspicious occasion Dr. R.K. Singh, ADG (CC), ICAR; Dr. Sharmila Roy; Dr. A. K. Sah; Dr. M.K. Singh; Dr. D. N. Borase and Dr. Yogesh Thorat (Scientists of IISR) were also present there. The proposed building and facilities of Biological Control Center will be constructed on about 1.25 acre land with the total cost of about Rs.5.0 crore sanctioned by the Govt. of Maharashtra under RKVY scheme.

DDG (CS) and ADG (CC) also monitored the ongoing research projects and experiments in the sugarcane fields and discussed in details about the research work & outreach activities of the centre for the benefit of sugarcane farmers of the Maharashtra.

At this occasion a farmer goshthi and felicitation function was also organized in Kamgar Sanskrutik Bhavan of Pravaranagar sugar mill. While addressing the farmers and sugar mill officers Dr. T. R. Sharma said that in view of the increasing demand for sugar and ethanol in the country, sugarcane farmers need to obtain high production of sugarcane by using modern technology developed and advocated by the ICAR-Indian Sugarcane Research Institute. Dr. Sharma also advocated the use of bio agents for the management of pests and diseases in sugarcane. He appreciated the efforts taken by Pravaranagar sugar factory for extending all support to the centre in facilitating the research work. Smt. Shalinitai Vikhe Patil, former president, Zilla Parishad, Ahmednagar Chaired the farmers’ goshthi. In the goshthi more than 250 farmers and factory personnel participated and interacted with the Scientists.

The program ended with a formal vote of thanks by Dr. A. K. Sah, Principal Scientist & Incharge Extension and Training.