The ICAR–Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology (ICAR-IIAB) in Ranchi organized a Pre-Rabi Kisan Goshti-cum-Agricultural Input Distribution Programme on October 8, 2026, bringing together approximately 1,500 farmers from Ranchi, Khunti, Gumla, and Ramgarh districts under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP). The event facilitated direct interaction between farmers, scientists, and policymakers to promote scientific and sustainable agricultural practices.
Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated various new facilities of ICAR-IIAB through video conferencing, including the Admin-cum-School Building, Birsa Munda Multipurpose Hall, Jaipal Singh Munda Sports Complex, and NEXTGEN Breeding Facility. He also laid the foundation for a new Guest House facility with a total value of ₹119 crore. In his address, Chouhan emphasized the importance of scientific agriculture, improved seeds, integrated farming, balanced nutrient management, and location-specific agricultural technologies for Jharkhand. He specifically stressed protecting farmers from fake seeds, counterfeit fertilizers, and substandard pesticides while calling for effective implementation of farmer welfare schemes and a nationwide 'Khet Bachao Abhiyan'.
Union Minister of State Shri Bhagirath Choudhary highlighted the adoption of modern agricultural technologies, value addition, stronger Farmer Producer Organisations, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, soil testing, and balanced fertilizer use. He encouraged farmers to experiment with natural farming on part of their cultivated area. Dr. M. L. Jat, Secretary of DARE and Director General of ICAR, emphasized the potential of eastern India for agricultural transformation and called for wider adoption of Rice-Fallow Intensification, addressing challenges like acidic soils and phosphorus deficiency.
The event included distribution of various agricultural and livestock inputs including Nano Urea, Nano DAP, mineral mixture, improved seed varieties, wheat, pea, mustard and vegetable seed kits, a milk can cooler, and high-yielding tomato and brinjal seed varieties. Technical sessions covered Farmer Producer Organisations, ethno-veterinary medicines, dairy farming, fruit crop production technologies, Integrated Pest Management in Rabi crops, crop diversification, Integrated Farming Systems, organic and natural farming, livestock feeding management, and lac cultivation. Former officials Dr. R. Ramani, Dr. K. K. Sharma, Dr. Tilak Raj Sharma, and Dr. Arunnava Patanayak were honored for their contributions to the institute.