The 20^th Convocation of the ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute was held today at Karnal, Haryana. It was declared open by Dr. Dheer Singh, Director of the institute and Vice Chancellor, Deemed University. On this occasion, Padma Bhushan Dr. R.S. Paroda, former Secretary (DARE) and Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Chairman of TAAS delivered the convocation address. A total of 278 students were awarded degrees, out of which 49 students were awarded B. Tech degree, 127 students Master’s degree and 102 researchers awarded PhD degree.

Presiding over the Convocation, Dr. Dheer Singh, Director of the Institute and Vice Chancellor, Deemed University remarked that the ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal is using advanced cutting edge technologies for the multiplication of elite germplasm to produce superior breeds of cattle and buffaloes. He called upon the students and exhorted them to become entrepreneurs rather than looking for jobs. Dr. Singh further told that the Institute is playing a pivotal role in the sphere of human resource development, providing B. Tech (Dairy Technology) degree to the students besides imparting M. Tech. degrees in 14 subjects as well as PhD degrees also in 14 subjects. Dr. Singh later on informed that till now the Institute has filed 85 patents out of which 49 have been granted. The organization is working towards increasing the milk productivity per animal while controlling the diseases.

On this occasion, Dr. Dheer Singh also bring to the notice of all that during last year more than 100 students were provided international exposure training. Encapsulating his address, he told that the Institute has organized dairy fairs in areas like Kalyani, West Bengal and Jharkhand wherein thousands of cattle rearers and animal lovers participated.

Speaking as a chief guest, Dr. R.S. Paroda was full of praise for the National Dairy Research Institute which is providing excellent services in the field of dairy sector. Applauding Institute’s contribution, he added that after untiring efforts, the Institute remained first among all the State Agricultural Universities for many years. Talking about the nutritional security as an important challenge for the agriculture and dairy sector, he believed that we have come a long way in the field of food security but a lot still is required to be done in the sphere of nutritional security. It is the outcome of the industriousness in the arena of agriculture that today India has moved far ahead of the global average milk availability and the per capita milk availability here is more than 400 grams. The result of food security and nutritional security is that the average life span has doubled since independence. In his address, he also drew the attention of the august gathering towards the climate change and was of the view that we need to work in this direction keeping in view international agreements.

On this occasion, Dr. K.M. Bujarbarua, former Vice Chancellor, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat and Dr. D.V.K Prakashrao, Managing Director, Prakash Foods and Feed Pvt. Ltd., Chennai were conferred with honorary degrees by the Deemed University.

Under the Doctoral Program 2022-23, Gold medal was given to Ms. Priyanka, Dairy Engineering, Silver Medal to Ms. Madhulatha C, Agricultural Extension Education and Bronze Medal was awarded and Ms. Elizabeth Thomas, Dairy Technology. Under the Master’s Program for the year 2022-23, Gold Medal was awarded to Ms. Arpana Raj, Animal Reproduction, Silver Medal to Mr. Akhil K, Animal Nutrition and Bronze Medal to Mr. Amritanshu Upadhyay, Animal Genetics and Breeding. Among the B.Tech (Dairy Technology) students under the year 2022-23, Preeti Rani was bestowed with the Gold Medal, Chetan Soni, the Silver Medal and Narsing, the Bronze Medal. Under the Doctoral Program for the year 2022-23, Merit Certificates were awarded to 14 students while 15 students under Master’s Program for the same year. For the same year, Merit Certificates were given to 10 students under B. Tech (Dairy Technology).

On this esteemed occasion, Dr. Manmohan Singh Chauhan, Vice Chancellor, Govind Ballasabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Padma Shri Dr. M.L. Madan, Dr. S.L. Goswami, Vice Chancellor, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Vice Chancellors of other State Agricultural Universities, respected members of the Board of Management, NDRI, Directors of various Institutes of ICAR, Joint Director (Academic), Joint Director (Research), Joint Director (Administration) and Senior Registrars, distinguished guests, Heads of Divisions and Faculty were  also present.

The Central Advisory Committee (CAC) of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) unveiled the authority’s action plan on Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) during the 43rd CAC meeting in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu .

During the meeting, deliberations were held on creating awareness amongst farmers regarding the judicious use of antibiotics in livestock, aquaculture, poultry etc. as part of FSSAI’s responsibilities under the AMR National Action Plan-II. Plans to carry out surveillance on anti-microbial susceptibility in food matrix to ensure consumers’ safety were also discussed.

The Commissioners of Food Safety of States and UTs were directed to work diligently towards achieving the target of 100 food streets to be developed as ‘Healthy and Hygienic Food Streets’.

The importance of surveillance sampling was also emphasized during the discussion. The states were directed to prepare their surveillance plans and conduct regular meetings with state labs and their officials. The requirement of clean market places and establishing health clubs in both State and Central Government schools along with the development of app-based models and literature in regional languages to encourage the younger generation was discussed.

States/UTs were encouraged to make efforts to create awareness about the importance and benefits of fortified rice. Regular sampling of Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK) and its strict compliance as per the FSS (Fortification of Foods) Regulation, 2018 was also stressed upon.

A Guidance Document for Training of Food Handlers in the Canteens of Universities, Colleges and Hostels was also unveiled during the meeting to strengthen the food safety infrastructure. This initiative aims to train about 11 lakh food handlers working in the Canteens of Universities, Colleges and Hostels in the next two years.

Shri Uma Shankar Dhyani, Executive Director (HR & Finance), FSSAI and Ms. Inoshi Sharma, Executive Director (Compliance Strategy), FSSAI were present during the meeting, which also saw participation of more than 50 officials, including Commissioners of Food Safety (CFS), representatives from States and UTs, other officials from FSSAI and nodal ministries and members representing the Food Industry, Consumers, Agriculture, laboratories and research bodies.

The Department of Fisheries successfully inaugurated the integration of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Fisheries scheme onto the JanSamarth Portal, revolutionizing access to credit facilities for fishers, fish farmers etc across the nation. The virtual ceremony, attended by esteemed dignitaries including Shri Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, GoI, Shri Pankaj Sharma, Joint Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance and Shri Rajeev Ranjan Prasad, Chief General Manager, (Digital Transformation & E-commerce), State Bank of India marked a significant milestone in digitalization of KCC Fisheries application processing system.

Speaking at the event, Shri Sagar Mehra highlighted the government’s relentless efforts to support for digitalization of credit system in the fisheries sector. He emphasized the transformative impact of integrating the scheme onto the JanSamarth Portal, which will facilitate seamless access to institutional credit facilities and promote inclusive growth of fisheries. The integration of the KCC Fisheries scheme onto the JanSamarth Portal signifies a monumental leap towards providing a digital platform for fish farmers and stakeholders in the fisheries sector. This initiative aims to streamline processes, digitize workflows, and provide efficient loan management services, ensuring enhanced accessibility and transparency for beneficiaries.

Under the dynamic leadership of the Department of Fisheries, extensive efforts have been undertaken to bring awareness about the KCC Fisheries scheme, resulting in the issuance of over 3,01,309 KCC cards to beneficiaries engaged in fisheries and aquaculture activities nationwide. This concerted effort underscores the government’s commitment to empowering the credit facilities to fishers and fish farmers and promoting the growth of the fisheries industry.

The integration of the KCC Fisheries scheme onto the JanSamarth Portal heralds a new era of efficiency, transparency, and inclusivity in the fisheries sector. Fishers and Fish farmers across the country can now easily apply for their KCC loans and manage their loan accounts online.