Shri Parshottam Khodabhai Rupala, Hon’ble Minister of State, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare inaugurated the administrative building of ICAR-National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management (NIASM), Baramati through virtual platform today. In his inaugural address he lauded the efforts involved in timely completion of the iconic administrative building of ICAR-NIASM. He also applauded the challenge taken up by scientists of ICAR to study the impacts of abiotic stress on agriculture and finding the management solutions, which will benefit the farmers. He stressed that climate change has posed severe challenges to agriculture and NIASM should have the mission of managing abiotic stresses in multi-stressed agro-ecosystems for sustainable agriculture.

Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary, DARE and DG, ICAR welcomed all the dignitaries, and gave brief about the background of ICAR-NIASM formation and the various facilities housed in the administrative building of ICAR-NIASM. He observed that abiotic stresses like drought, floods, extreme temperature, salinity, acidity, mineral toxicity and nutrient deficiency have emerged as major challenges for Indian agriculture. The anticipated increase in frequency of extreme weather events due to changing climate poses serious threats to sustainable production of crops, livestock, fish and poultry. He suggested that NIASM, as one of the national institutes under ICAR, to carryout basic and strategic research for management of various abiotic stresses affecting sustainability of national food production systems.

Smt. Supriya Sule, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, mentioned the details about the innovative work being carried out at Baramati and invited the dignitaries to visit the Institute to observe the work being carried out at NIASM.

Shri Sanjay Singh, Additional Secretary, DARE and Secretary, ICAR; Deputy Directors General; Directors of ICAR institutes; and other senior officials of the ICAR, Central and State Governments graced the occasion.

Dr. S.K. Chaudhari, Deputy Director General (NRM), ICAR steered the inaugural ceremony and brought out the work being carried out for abiotic stress management aspects. A Committee Chaired by Dr. S Bhaskar, ADG (AAF&CC), ICAR made arrangements for the event.  

Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director of ICAR-National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management proposed vote of thanks and expressed heartfelt gratitude to all the dignitaries and participants for attending the inaugural ceremony.

The inauguration ceremony was live broadcasted on ICAR website, YouTube and Facebook page of ICAR.