ICAR-IGFRI Annual Report 2011-12

Abstract

IGFRI is now in its Golden Jubilee year and is contributing as a nodal institute in the field of research and development in forage resource management and utilization. Institute is growing in the upward direction to achieve new heights with the prime objective of balancing integration of all relevant fields of fodder research for comprehensive forage resource development. The efforts made by the institute is relevant in the context of emerging scenario in livestock sector and various bioresources contributing to feed and forage inputs. Multi-disciplinary approaches have been the key tool to generate wholesome technologies related to forage production and utilization. Basic and strategic researches in plant breeding and genetics with biotechnological interventions and biochemical tools have always proved to play an important role in forage resource improvement. Through institute and externally aided research programmes funded by DST, DBT, NAIP, ICAR etc., consistent efforts were made to attain the excellence in research, training and technology transfer related to grasslands, pasture and fodder crop improvement, production and utilization. Institute has made phenomenal growth in seed production of improved varieties and it€s marketing during the year. Innovations like use of radiography in studies on formation of pure germinating seeds in grasses, detection of insect damage of seed, dehusking of grass seeds using common cotton beating machine and high density nursery concept & low cost in-vitro seedling production in NxB hybrid were most encouraging. Institute is in the way of celebrating its Golden Jubilee on November 1, 2012 and on this occasion it is a great pleasure to thank all the previous Directors and staff of the Institute, for their contributions throughout the journey, without whose contributions we would not have achieved such heights and the honour of celebrating proud golden jubilee. I am immensely thankful to Dr. S. Ayyappan, Secretary DARE and Director General, ICAR; Dr. Swapan Kumar Datta, Deputy Director General (Crop Sciences); Dr. R.P. Dua, Assistant Director General, (Food and Forage Crops), for extending their consistent support and guidance to this Institute from time to time. IGFRI is especially thankful to ICAR and ASRB for providing many new scientist during the year. I also thank all the scientific, technical, administrative and supporting staff including the casual labourers who have made significant contribution as a team. I am thankful to Ex Director of the Institute, Project Coordinator, AICRP and all head of divisions for their valuable contributions. I also thank all the members of editorial committee for devoting time, energy and skill for bringing out this annual report timely as a source of information on activities and achievements of the institute. Thanks are also extended to Dr. B.K. Bhadoria, Chairman PMER & HRD, Dr. Satyapriya, Shri GP Nigam, Shri AK Saxena and Shri Shailendra Sinha for dedicated efforts for publication of this Annual Report.