Celebration of First Foundation Day

The first foundation day of GSFRED was celebrated on 3rd March, 2019 at its Research and Education Centre near Karnal. Dr. R. S. Paroda, Ex-Secretary DARE and Director General, ICAR delivered the Foundation Day address and complimented the Founder Chairman for establishing state of the art research and education center for communicating agricultural innovations for welfare of small and marginal farmers. Dr. Gurdev Khush, internationally recognized World Food Laureate and Fellow Royal Society, London presided over the function and delivered the presidential address. Dr. Khush having very vast international experience commented that it is an initiative of its own kind for serving farmers especially small holders. Dr. J S Samra, Former Chief Executive officer, National Rainfed Area authority of India; Dr. Ramesh Kanwar, Vice Chancellor, Lovely University and Ex- Head, Agricultural System Engineering, IOWA State University, USA; Dr. M L Madan, Ex-Deputy Director General, ICAR and Ex- Vice Chancellor, Mathura (U.P.) and Akola (Maharashtra) also spoke and appreciated the very unique and innovative agenda of this Foundation. The Founder chairman Dr. Gurbachan Singh, Ex-Chairman, ASRB and Agricultural Commissioner, Govt. of India welcomed all participants and share the mission and objectives for the exchanging knowledge and skill development. Dr. R S Paroda also desired there should be a MOU of this Foundation with Dr. Khush Foundation. Dr. M. L. Jat, Facilitator of CIMMYT, Mexico programme in India, desired to have collaboration with GSFRED for upscaling conservation agricultural practices. There is also proposal to develop national and international funding to further strengthen this capacity and capability of the Foundation. Dr. Samra highlighted the speedy completion of setting up infrastructure including construction work within 15 month. He further said that research and other services will be delivered with the same spirit. The delegates also visited experiments already set up for integrated farming systems, crop diversification, climate resilient innovative practices, holistic management of the paddy straw, agroforestry and evaluation of promising crops and their varieties. Burning of crop bio-mass pollute the environment and creating health hazards. Looking to the menace, the Foundation has initiated experiments for in-situ management of straw as mulch, manure production and soil health improvement options. There was very elaborate interaction between scientists, farmers and representatives of public and private organizations providing input and services. More than 400 participants attended the Foundation Day including Directors of institutes of several private as well as public sector institutes and universities. The notable research and extension managers included: Dr. P. C. Sharma, Director, CSSRI, Karnal; Dr. Gopal Lal, Director, National Research Centre of Seed Species, Ajmer; Dr. Chauhan, Director, Central Institute for Research on Goats, Mathura; Dr. Rajbir Singh, Director, ATARI, Ludhiana and Dr. Samar Singh, Regional Director, HAU RRS, Karnal. On this occasion Dr. Paroda and Dr. Khush also inaugurated soil and water testing laboratory for testing of soil and water samples of farmers. The second newsletter of the foundation was also released.