Union agriculture minister inaugurates agri-business nurturing centre in Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Jodhpur, Aug 29 (KNN) Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Narendra Singh Tomar on Sunday inaugurated the Agri-business Nurturing Centre at the Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI) in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

While addressing the inaugural ceremony, Tomar applauded CAZRI for rendering excellent services in innovations and research in agriculture for the farmers of the arid region for more than 60 years.

The Agricultural minister at the event also inaugurated four new facilities, an environment friendly waste water treatment plant and Indoor Sports Hall at CAZRI.

Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Kailash Chaudhary were the special guests on this occasion.

“Due to the research work done by CAZRI on dune stabilization, sprinkler and drip irrigation system and new varieties of crops, grasses and fruits, the farmers' income has been increasing,” he said. 

Work like solar energy, reduction in the cost of farming and livestock management by CAZRI will also be beneficial for the farmers of dry areas. Due to the new technologies and research achievements being developed by CAZRI from time to time, the institute bagged 8 out of 10 National Awards of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in the last six years.

Tomar further said that if CAZRI goes ahead in emphasizing on increasing the availability of planting material, the Central Government will extend full support to its efforts.

In his address, Kailash Chaudhary said there was a demand for a long time that research of millet should be done in Rajasthan, now millet research centre is going to be opened by the centre in Barmer.

Himanshu Pathak, Secretary, DARE and Director General of ICAR and Director of CAZRI, O.P. Yadav were amongst those present at the event.

Progressive farmers were honoured by the minister during the program.  (KNN Bureau)