National Group Meet for Rabi 2025-26 kicks off
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 18 2025: The National Group Meeting for Rabi, 2025-26 of the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Forage Crops and Utilization began today at the College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal.

The National Group Meet is jointly organised by ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi and CAU, Imphal.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by dignitaries, including Dr Anupam Mishra, Vice Chancellor, CAU, Imphal; Dr DK Yadava, DDG (Crop Science), ICAR, New Delhi; Dr P K Singh, Agriculture Commissioner, Government of India; Dr S K Pradhan, ADG (FFC), ICAR, New Delhi; Dr Pankaj Kaushal, Director, ICAR-IGFRI, Jhansi; Prof Indira Sarangthem, CAU, Imphal; and Dr LM Gamayak, Director of Research, CAU Imphal.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Anupam Mishra said that the gathering represents not only the strength of India's scientific community but also the shared vision of ensuring nutritional security, rural prosperity, and sustainable livestock development.

"Livestock contributes significantly to the livelihood of millions of rural households across India.

In the North Eastern Region in particular, livestock rearing forms a cornerstone of rural economies.

Yet, despite its potential, the sector is constrained by one critical challenge - fodder deficit", he added.

He asserted that current estimates indicate an annual requirement of 30,000 metric tonnes of green fodder in the North East, while actual availability is only about 23,000 metric tonnes, leading to a shortfall of nearly 23 percent.

He mentioned that the region faces a 66 percent gap in milk production, which hampers not only income generation but also the nutritional well-being of communities.

"Such gaps remind us that ensuring fodder availability is not merely a technical issue - it is directly linked to livelihoods, nutritional security, and sustainable agricultural growth", he added.

The VC also highlighted the pivotal role played by the AICRP on Forage Crops in developing high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties, conservation technologies, and efficient utilization practices.

Dr DK Yadava emphasized the importance of fodder crops and stressed the need of developing a mechanism for improving fodder production and productivity of the State.

Dr P K Singh emphasized the importance of integration of animal husbandry with fodder crop production to improve the productivity of the crop.

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