ICAR-CICR, Nagpur organized one day “Cotton Germplasm Field Day” at the Panjari farm on 5th January, 2024. Dr. C.D. Mayee, Ex-Chairman, ASRB, New Delhi graced the occasion as Chief Guest and informed about the importance of Public-Private Partnership in germplasm exchange much needed for diversification of Genetic base of Cotton. Dr. Y.G.Prasad, Director, ICAR-CICR briefed about the cotton germplasm collection, their utilisation in diversification of genetic base for developing hybrids/ varieties to increase the productivity of cotton in India. Dr V N Waghmare, Head, Division of Crop Improvement emphasised on feedback on germplasm utilization. The objective of the programme is to showcase diversity in the cotton gene-pool and to facilitate Public-Private Partnership for cotton germplasm exchange as presented by Dr. Vinita Gotmare, Principal Scientist & Germplasm Curator. A total of more than 56 breeders representing 37 from State Agricultural Universities of India, 19 from Private Seed Companies and scientists from regional stations of CICR particularly Coimbatore and Sirsa were invited in this event. Field visit was organised for all the participants to select the desired germplasm accessions for utilising in their breeding program. Dr. Sunil Mahajan, Principal Scientist, Dr. Saravanan, M, Senior Scientist; Dr H B Kumbhalkar (STO) and team worked hard for the success of this Germplasm Field Day programme.

The commemoration of World Soil Day at ICAR-CICR on December 5th, 2023, encapsulated a myriad of initiatives aimed at raising awareness and fostering sustainable soil management practices. Under the theme “Soil and Water: A Source of Life”.

Cotton farmers from three districts (Amravati, Nagpur and Wardha) received training on the Nutrient Expert, a cutting-edge decision support system for fertilizer management.

Under the special cotton project, the Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR) on 25th September, 2023 organized an insightful workshop dedicated to high-density cotton planting and closure spacing techniques.

One-day training program on Nutrient Expert®-based fertilizer management for cotton was on 9th October 2023 under the guidance of Dr. Y.G. Prasad, Director of ICAR-CICR, Nagpur.

Swachhata Campaign 3.0, Kamla Nehru Mahavidyalaya and ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), Nagpur, jointly organized a one-day workshop on Agricultural Waste Management on October 16, 2023.

During the visit, Dr. A. Manikandan, Senior Scientist (Soil Science) at ICAR-CICR, elaborated on the significance of site-specific nutrient management in enhancing cotton yields. This tailored approach to nutrient management ensures that the soil’s unique needs are met, optimizing cotton production while also promoting sustainable farming practices.

During the interactive discussion session, participants received guidance on overcoming yield barriers such as square shedding, leaf reddening, and the appropriate use of Nano DAP.

“Participation of ICAR-CICR at marked World Cotton Day 2023 conference on the theme of “Enhancing Quality & Productivity of Indian Cotton through Policy, Innovation, & Technology Upgradation” organised by The Ministry of Textiles”

World Cotton Day -2023,ICAR-CICR,Nagpur

Swacchata – Hi – Sewa’ 2023 Campaign 3.0, ICAR – CICR, Nagpur

Dr Y. G. Prasad, Director, ICAR-CICR, Nagpur attended HMoT interactive meeting with Textile Advisory Group(TAG ) under the chairmanship of Honorable Union Minister of Textiles Gol, Shri Piyush Goyal ji on 31st, August, 2023 at Coimbatore organized by Textile Commissioner, Ministry of Textile, Govt, of India.

An interactive meeting cum input distribution was organised on 31st August 2023 under National Food Security Mission (NFSM)-Special Project at ICAR-CICR, Regional Station, Coimbatore. The meeting was presided by Smt. PrajaktaL. Verma, Joint Secretary (Fiber), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. She explained the special features of the project. Sh. Lalit Kumar Gupta, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, CCI, Mumbai in his special address stressed that India is the only country which has the capacity to double the productivity. Dr. Y. G. Prasad, Director, ICAR-CICR, Nagpur explained in detail about the NFSM-funded special project on cotton where it was mentioned that it is the first project implemented under Public Private Partnership, involvement of Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Textiles along with other cotton stakeholders on one platform. A Bulletin “Think package of practices for ELS cotton” was released during the meeting.

In the photograph from left to right: Mr. ManishDaga, Managing Director of Cotton Guru, Mumbai; Dr. A. H. Prakash, Head, ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research, Regional Station, Coimbatore; Dr. Y. G. Prasad, Director, ICAR- Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur; Smt. Prajakta. L. Verma, Hon’ble Joint Secretary (Fiber), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India; Sh. Lalit Kumar Gupta, Chairman-Cum-Managing Director, Cotton Corporation of India, Mumbai; Dr. P. P. Murugan, Directorof Extension Education, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore; Dr. A. L. Waghmare, Director, Directorate of Cotton Development, Nagpur.

Under the development action plan for scheduled castes (DAPSC), the packets of Tricodermapowder as a critical input were distributed to 20 Scheduled Castes (SC) beneficiaries of Amboli Villiage, Tehsil Umred, Dist. Nagpur with the hands of Dr. Y. G.Prasad, Director, ICAR-CICR, Nagpur and in the presence of Dr GT Behere, Head, Division of Crop Protection on 25th August, 2O23.The farmers were guided about the use of Trichodermain managing seed borne diseases of field crops including cotton. DAPSC scheme implementation team of ICAR-CICR comprising of Dr. J. H Meshram, Dr Ramkrushna Gl, Dr Babasaheb Fand, Dr Shailesh Gawande, Dr NS Hiremani and Sh. Akshay Kamble facilitated the input distribution program.

ICAR-CICR, Nagpur and its two regional stations at Sirsa and Coimbatore celebrated77thlndependence Day on 15th August 2023oninstitute premises with great enthusiasm. At HQ Nagpur, the program started at 8:30 am with the national flag (tricolor) hoisting by Dr YG Prasad Director, ICAR-CICR. All the staff of ICAR-CICR sang the Rastragaan in unison. The Director addressed the gathering with his inspiring words and delivered a glimpse of the address of Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India. He also informed the staff about the achievement of the institute and urged all to work for the institute with a positive attitude and a feeling of oneness for the betterment of cotton farmers. This eloquence filled everyone’s heart with pride and patriotism. The celebration was followed by several recreational competitions for the kids and the staff. All the people participated in the program with great zeal. Prizes were distributed to the winners at the end of the celebration.

At Regional Station, Coimbatore, national flag was hoisted in the office premises by Head Dr. A. H. Prakash, followed by National An them. In his address, he mentioned the role of cotton in the mission for independence and emphasized the contribution of our research towards the growth of our country.

At Regional Station Sirsa, Dr. Rishi Kumar, Head (l/c) hoisted the National Flag which was followed by singing of National Anthem. All the office staffs actively participated in the programme.

Dr.J.H.Meshram,Principal Scientist (Plant Physiology) has successfully completed a Training on “Enhancing Pedagogical Competencies for Agricultural Education” under the Pedagogical Development Programme (PDP) of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), New Delhi from July 31 to August 5,2023. The purpose of training was to ensure effective teaching with efficient use of pedagogical skills and educational technologies.

ICAR-CICR, Regional Station Coimbatore participated in a three days State level Mega Agricultural Exhibition – Velan Sangamam- held at CARE Engineering College, Trichy from 27th to 29th July, 2023. ICAR-CICR technologies such as recently released cotton varieties, fibres of various traits, poly mulch technologies, HDPS, seed coating technologies and colour cotton were exhibited in a stall. About 2000 cotton-growing farmers visited ICAR-CICRstall and received a guidance on advanced cotton production technologues.

A Refresher Training Course on ‘Latest Cotton Production and Protection Technologies’ for field teams of Better Cotton Initiative Project (Ambuja Cement Foundation) were organized at ICAR-CICR, Regional Station, Sirsa during 24 -26 July, 2023.

Release of CICR publication on “HDPS Q&A” jointly by Secretary Agriculture (DA & FW) and Secretary Textiles, Ministry of Textiles in the presence of DrT R. Sharma, DDG (Crop Science), Joint Secretary (Crops), Joint Secretary Fibre, Dr R.K. Singh, ADG (CC), Agriculture Commissioner, Dr D. K. Yadav ADG (Seeds) and Dr. Y. G. Prasad, Director, ICAR-CICR, Nagpur.

The nine different technologies developed by Scientists of ICAR-CICR from Nagpur HQ (Dr. Babasaheb B. Fand, Dr. Shailesh R Gawande & Dr Vivek Shah) and its two regional stations at Coimbatore (Dr. K. Rameash), and Sirsa (Dr. Rishi Kumar & Dr S. K. Sain) were awarded the certificates of technology by ICAR in a 95th Foundation and Technology day celebrated during 16-18 July, 2023 at New Delhi. Dr. Y.G. Prasad, Director, ICAR-CICR, Nagpur received the certificates for award of technologies developed by the Scientists of ICAR-CICR with the hands of Dr. R. K. Singh, ADG (Commercial Crops), ICAR-New Delhi.

The field visit was conducted jointly by a team of experts from ICAR-CICR Nagpur and Ankur Seeds Pvt. Ltd., Nagpur for monitoring of HDPS and closer spacing demonstrations of cotton under Cotton Pilot Project in Arvi Tahsil of Wardha District. Dr. S P Gawande, Senior Scientist (Plant Pathology) and Nodal Officer for Wardha District along with Dr. Sameer Vadyalkar, Mr. Nitin Chaudhary and Mr. Sagar Bhende from Ankur Seeds visited six fields located in three villages: Talegaon (Raghuji), Chandni, and Bothli in the Arvi Tahsil of Wardha District on 6th July, 2023. The team members interacted with about 25 farmers and discussed various aspects related to the crop. Farmers told that the hand operated seed drill is more efficient than the manual sowing of cotton crop in terms of cost, time and labor requirement, and uniformity in sowing depth and distance resulting in good seed germination and better crop stand.

The 28th Scientific Advisory Committee Meeting (SAC) of KVK, ICAR-CICR was held at ICAR-CICR, Nagpur on 09th June, 2023.

KVK & ICAR-CICR, Nagpur arrangeda tree plantation programme on 5th June, 2023 under the “Mission Life” as a part of series of activities to mark the celebration of World Environment Day. Saplings of various tree species were planted in the institute premises by the hands of Dr. Y.G. Prasad, Director, Sh. A.A. Goswami, Chief Administrative Officer and all the staff. The tree plantation drive was conducted with an aim to control global warming, make environment pollution free, and spread awareness on the importance of keeping a clean environment

Hands on training program for Technical staff on ELISA based testing of Cry protein in Bt cotton @ BT Referral Lab,ICAR-CICR, Nagpur on 22.06.2023

Capacity building & demonstration of horticultural crops training on ‘Nutri Garden for sustainable nutrition for human health’ was organised under DAPST. Distributed improved vegetable seedlings & seeds packet to tribal women of Bhivapur taluka, Nagpur. ,ICAR-CICR, Nagpur on 22.06.2023

ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research (ICAR-CICR), Nagpur has observed the International Day of Yoga on 21st June 2023 on institute premises. In the year 2023, the theme of the yoga was Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam with the domestic tagline Har Aangan Yog. All the staff of the institute have participated and performed the Yogasanas under the guidance of Mr Ghanshyam Devgirkar, Technical Assistant & Yoga instructor, ICAR-CICR, Nagpur. The program started with the telecast of the event with Sh. Jagdeep Dhankar, Hon’ble Vice President of India. The participants took the Yoga pledge and were explained the importance of Yoga in human life and also demonstrated Yoga asanas. The program was organised by Dr G. Balasubramani, Pr. Scientist and Nodal officer, and Dr Rachna Pande Sr. Scientist and coordinator for the Celebration of the 9th International Day of Yoga at ICAR-CICR, Nagpur. The program ended with a vote of thanks.

Dr. YG Prasad, Director, ICAR-CICR, Nagpur addressing the staff on the occasion of International Day of YOGA

The employees of ICAR-CICR, Nagpur practicing YOGA-Asanas during International YOGA day celebration on 21/06/2023

Yoga Day Celebration in CICR, Regional Station Coimbatore…

Nineth International Yoga Day was celebrated in CICR, Regional Station Coimbatore on 21st June 2023. During the Yoga Day celebration, Dr. A. H. Prakash, Head, CICR, Regional Station, Coimbatore Inaugurated the programme and delivered inaugural address and Dr. K. Rathinavel, Principal Scientist, delivered special address. The chief guest for the programme was Mr. A Manivannan, who is practicing as an “Art of Living ” teacher and an organizer cum trainer for the “Youth Leadership Development ” program.

The program was attended by Scientists, technical and administration staff including RA/SRF/Young professional of CICR, Regional Station, Coimbatore. The programme included simple yoga asana, breath exercise, and meditation practices.

Meeting of Scientific Advisory Committee of KVK,ICAR-CICR, Nagpur on 09.06.2023