The review meeting of the performance of ICAR research institutes and the State Agricultural Universities located in Maharashtra was held at ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai on the morning of 4^th July 2016. The meeting was chaired by the Hon’ble Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Radha Mohan Singh ji.

Shri Vijay Deshmukh, State Minister for Fisheries, Maharashtra, Shri Ram Shinde, State Minister of Agriculture and Horticulture, Maharashtra, Shri Chhabilendra Roul, IAS, Additional Secretary DARE and Secretary ICAR, Dr. J. K. Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries) ICAR, Dr. Gopal Krishna, Director (Acting), ICAR- Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai, Shri Bijay Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary (Fisheries), Government of Maharashtra, Shri Bhagwan Sahay, IAS, Principal Secretary Agriculture, Government of Maharashtra were on the dais. The AM dwelt at length on the role of extension and transfer of technology from lab to land. Hon’ble Union Minister Shri Radha Mohan Singh ji stressed on the field extension and emphasized the need for bringing together the state departments and the research institutes / State Agricultural Universities located in the same state. He felt that these institutions should meet at least twice in a year as this would enable first hand transfer of technology directly to the first line department of extension.

The AM emphasized on revival of the KVKs in the state and reorient the KVKs as an institution that delivers technology to the farmers. The minister also explained why the IARI model needed to be replicated in Ranchi and Assam after 69 years of independence. He also spoke on the Gokul Gram Concept which the Government of India was promoting.

The AM emphasised on revival of the KVKs in the state and reorient the KVKs as an institution that delivers technology to the farmers first hand. He stated that the governance climate from the top is driven by national spirit and pro-growth. Shri Radha Mohan also emphasised the need for uploading and publicising the good work that is being done by all the concerned institutions. He was emphatic that science and technology is the only tool for ensuring progress in agriculture and development. Speaking on marketing, he laid stress on streamlining the marketing channels and minimising the loss in post harvest.

The Hon’ble Union Minister also released technical manual on Fish Haematology by ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai, a book on Apiculture by KVK Baramati, a technical bulletin on Desi cow breeds by KVK Solapur and a folder on pomegranate by KVK Dhule.

Shri Chhabilendra Roul, IAS Additional Secretary DARE and Secretary ICAR emphasized on increasing production and productivity on all fronts of agriculture. He reiterated that this review meeting of the performance of agricultural institutions was being taken for all the states and this one was being done for Maharashtra. He welcomed all the dignitaries and participants to this review meeting.

Dr Gopal Krishna, Director (Acting) of ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai made a presentation on the activities of the institute and explained academic programmes and facilities of CIFE, and the thrust areas of research of the institute. He also explained the efforts taken by ICAR-CIFE to liaise with all concerned agricultural departments. The process of review of performance of various ICAR institutes as well as SAU’s was initiated by the Hon’ble Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. He quickly reviewed the progress and in the process appreciated as well as chose to guide the respective institutions in the efforts that they have been making in generating technologies and their transfer. The participating institutions included ICAR-Central Institute of Research on Cotton Technology, Mumbai, ICAR - Central Institute of Cotton Research, Nagpur, ICAR- Directorate of Onion and Garlic, Pune, ICAR-Directorate of Floriculture Research, Pune, Director ATARI, ICAR- NRC Grapes, ICAR-NRC-Pomegranate, Vice Chancellor, MAFSU Nagpur, MPKV Rahuri and KVK’s. Dr. J. K. Jena, Deputy Director General (FS) ICAR explained the importance of Fisheries Sector in the state and also thanked the dignitaries and delegates for taking up such a meeting at CIFE, Mumbai.