Udaipur: The two-day Zonal Research and Extension Advisory Committee (ZREAC) meeting at Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology (MPUAT), Udaipur, concluded on Tuesday. The meeting reviewed agricultural research undertaken by the university, technologies developed for farmers, new crop varieties and agricultural extension activities. Around 70 participants, including university scientists, officials, staff members and government officers from various departments, attended the meeting.
The meeting featured detailed discussions on innovative agricultural technologies that could benefit farmers. Participants also deliberated on the challenges faced by farmers, practical solutions and ways to take technologies developed by the university from laboratories and research centres to the field.
The progress and achievements of the All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRP) and projects implemented under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) during the past year were also reviewed.
During the concluding session, Director Research Dr Manoj Kumar Mehla highlighted the characteristics, production, processing and value-addition potential of maize, one of the major crops of the Mewar region. He discussed opportunities to enhance farmers’ incomes through better utilisation and processing of local agricultural produce. He also highlighted the scope for value addition and processing of local produce such as custard apple to create additional income opportunities for farmers.
Dr Sudhir Verma, Joint Director, Agriculture (Extension), Udaipur, stressed that all farmer-friendly technologies developed by the university should be effectively incorporated into the Package of Practices and taken to farmers. Emphasising the need for greater promotion of agricultural machinery and modern farm implements, he said timely information and availability of appropriate machinery could help farmers save both time and labour and provide them with direct economic benefits.
He also elaborated on the use of biochar in agriculture, its benefits and its role in improving soil health.
Dr K.C. Meena, Additional Director Agriculture, Bhilwara, appreciated the research and agricultural development initiatives undertaken by the university. He urged government officials to ensure wider dissemination of new crop varieties and farmer-friendly technologies developed by the university so that they reach a larger number of farmers.
He noted that food grain and vegetable production is currently at satisfactory levels and stressed that, alongside production, greater attention should now be given to the quality of agricultural produce.
The meeting placed particular emphasis on strengthening coordination between university scientists and government departments and ensuring that agricultural research remains closely aligned with the actual needs and challenges of farmers. Participants highlighted the need to further strengthen collaboration among research, extension agencies and government departments to develop practical solutions to farmers’ problems.
On the concluding occasion, Regional Research Officer Dr S.S. Lakhawat said that following detailed deliberations between scientists and officials of the Agriculture Department during the two-day meeting, it was decided to recommend 15 new agricultural technologies and crop varieties developed by the university for inclusion in the Package of Practices booklet for regional crops.
It was also decided to forward technologies and recommendations associated with 10 Agricultural Technology Centres (ATCs) to the Agricultural Technology Centre, Chittorgarh, for review.