Bureau celebrated 41st Foundation Day on 21st September 2024

ICAR-NBAGR celebrated its 41^st Foundation Day on 21^st September 2024, with high spirit and enthusiasm among the staff. Dr Sanjay Kumar, Chairman, Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), New Delhi graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Dr T K Datta, Director, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Buffalo, Hisar was the Guest of Honour.

Dr Sanjay Kumar, in his address to the staff, emphasized over the true role of the AnGR, in terms of bioeconomy as well as their economical, ecological, values and nutraceutical uses.  AnGR also require equal attention being its multifaceted roles as food, fibre, agriculture, etc. Genomic research may be more towards the climate change. Genetic modification and editing would be helpful in utilizing the genomic regions in coming future.  Advocating strong in situ conservation programs, he suggested to introduce the satellite centres for the breeds at risk. He also congratulated the Bureau staff and showed happiness over the transcended achievements of the Bureau and increasing recognition across the country. Dr T K Datta congratulated the remarkable achievements of the Bureau and way forward to achieve its long term objectives. He emphasizing over the transformational research for value addition of indigenous animal products.

In his welcome address, Dr B P Mishra briefly presented the institute’s milestone achievements of national and international importance. He highlighted recent achievements of the Bureau including identification of potential populations under the mission, germplasm cryopreservation of around 50 percent indigenous breeds, initiation of in situ conservation for threated breeds and SDG2 National Indicators. Bureau recently completed the Regional trainings of the State and District Nodal Officers of all the states and Union Territories in the country to conduct Breed-wise Livestock Census (2024). For increasing awareness among the stakeholders, Bureau celebrated International Biodiversity Day and International Year of Camelids among pastoralists of high altitude region, he added.

Breed calendars for indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds was released by the chief guest. An official YouTube channel of the Bureau was also launched by the dignitaries, on the occasion.

Dr Arjava Sharma, Former Director; ICAR-NBAGR, Dr R K Pundir, Head, AGR Division, Dr S P Dixit, Head AG Division, Dr Ravi Kumar Gandham, Head AB Division, retired employees of the Bureau, staff members and research scholars were also present.

Dr Sanjay Kumar also visited the laboratories and interacted with the scientists. He appreciated the documentation and research being done for the preservation and utilization of the indigenous Animal Genetic Resources diversity in the country. Bureau staff along with Chairman, ASRB also participated in Swachhta Abhiyan and made a Human chain for the awareness and planted the trees along with staff.