45th Kharif Research Council Meeting kicks off at BAU

Ranchi: The 45th Research Council of Birsa Agricultural University (BAU) commenced today with an inaugural session chaired by BAU Vice-Chancellor Dr. Sunil Chandra Dubey. The session marked a significant event in the university’s academic calendar, bringing together scientists, researchers and dignitaries to discuss the past year’s research achievements and plan the roadmap for the upcoming year.

The event was graced by Dr. Devendra Kumar Yadav, Deputy Director General (Crop Sciences), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), as the Chief Guest. Welcoming the attendees, Dr. P.K. Singh introduced Dr. Yadav as a distinguished plant breeder known for his contribution to mustard variety development and his exemplary leadership in multiple roles within ICAR, including his tenure as Head of Division at IARI and subsequent positions as ADG and DDG.

In his keynote address, Dr. Yadav highlighted the critical role of annual research reviews, calling them essential to refining ongoing scientific pursuits. Emphasizing Jharkhand’s untapped potential in horticulture and agriculture, he advocated for stronger engagement with farmers, the primary beneficiaries of research, to ensure that scientific innovations reach the grassroots level. He praised initiatives like the “Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyaan” for successfully converging various streams of agriculture for farmer welfare. Dr. Yadav also urged that technologies and tools developed by scientists must be practical, marketable and tailored to farmers’ needs.

A compilation of BAU’s research highlights showcasing the university’s efforts toward scientific advancement and societal development, especially in Jharkhand’s tribal regions, was released following Dr. Yadav’s address.

Vice-Chancellor Dr. S.C. Dubey called for urgent improvements in the quality and pace of research. Stressing the need for inter-institutional collaboration, he warned that without proactive measures, the university risked falling behind. Dr. Dubey also acknowledged the significant manpower shortage, which he cited as a key hurdle in executing projects as planned. Despite these challenges, he reaffirmed BAU’s commitment to serving Jharkhand as the state’s sole agricultural university, emphasizing the responsibility to drive self-sustainability across sectors.

The two-day Research Council meeting, scheduled on July 21 and 22, will feature dedicated sessions from various departments, allowing researchers to present and discuss their findings.

The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. C.S. Mahto, Deputy Director of Research, while the program was anchored by Shashi Singh.