The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the fifth technical workshop, 2013 of the Borlaug Global Rust Initiative (BGRI) at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi today (August 19, 2013). The workshop is organized by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) in collaboration with BGRI.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that steps are required to secure for the poor and the needy greater access to food. He stated that many nations are tied to the imperative of bringing greater inclusivity in their growth process. He stressed that the inter-dependent objectives of poverty alleviation, mitigation of food inadequacy, creation of rural employment and growth in rural incomes can be achieved by substantial expansion in food production.
The President said that he was happy to note that to mitigate the threat of wheat rust, the Directorate of Wheat Research and various state agricultural universities and institutes in India today work closely with BGRI. The Initiative’s ‘Durable Rust Resistance in Wheat’ project is a collaborative effort by 22 research institutes around the world.
The President said that marking the fiftieth anniversary of Dr. Borlaug’s first visit to India, it is only befitting that over the next few days India is hosting the largest gathering of wheat pathologists, breeders and researchers to discuss technologies and strategies to ensure the safety of wheat cropping. He said that he was confident of meaningful answers emanating from the deliberations. He wished BGRI and ICAR all success in conducting this Workshop.
Among the other dignitaries present on the occasion were Shri Sharad Pawar, Union Minister of Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Ms. Jeanie Borlaug, Chair, BGRI, Dr. S. Ayyappan, Secretary, Department of Agriculture Research and Education and DG, Indian Council of Agriculture Research and Shri Ashish Bahuguna, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture.
This release issued at 1925 hrs