The World Pulse Day (WPD) was celebrated at ICAR-DGR on 10.02.2022 with much fanfare and gaiety. This year theme was “Pulses to empower youth in achieving sustainable agri-food systems”. The main function was organized at the ICAR-DGR Head Quarter, Junagadh at 2.00 p.m. both on physical mode and virtual mode. Dr. C.S. Praharaj, Principal Scientist was the chief Guest in this function. In this context, a lecture on “Promoting Pulses in Villages” (in Hindi) was organized /presented for the benefit of participants which was delivered by Dr. Praharaj. He highlighted the importance of pulses cultivation and consumption in the country.

It also depicts how this step could help in realizing food and nutritional security of our villages and the country as a whole. Dr KK Pal, Principal Scientist also spoke on this occasion and reiterated consumption of pulses for protein nutrition/supplementation for human beings and detailed about the importance of pulses in nutritional security of India. There was a detailed discussion on promotion of pulses keeping in view of its low input (including water) needs, nutritional composition (Zn, Fe and protein etc.) and above all, maintenance of balanced food in our diets. A total of around 60 participants, including DGR staffs from Junagadh, Anantpur and Bikaner, farmers, and farm women participated in this World Pulse Day celebrations held in both in physical and virtual mode. Dr Kiran Kumar Reddy, Scisentist coordinated the world pulses day activities at ICAR-DGR, Junagadh. The program was a grand success.

The Institute also participated in the day long programme on World Pulse Day (WPD) organized by ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur, ISPRD, Kanpur and ICAR, New Delhi. This function was celebrated with organization of a full day webinar on ‘Sustaining growth in Pulses’. Hon’ble Secretary, DARE and DG, ICAR, Dr. T. Mohapatra was the Chief Guest and Dr. T. R. Sharma, DDG, CS, ICAR wad the Chairman of the Webinar.
The eminent participants included ADG (O & P), Directors, scientists and researchers from ICAR and partners from NARS, ICRISAT, ICARDA and WorldVeg as well as pulse millers, processors and industrialists. Here, Dr. CS Praharaj, ICAR-DGR also presented his remarks/paper on Role of BNF and Endophytes for enhancing yields of Groundnut. Director (A) Dr SK Bera, Dr CS Praharaj, Dr KK Pal and other scientists and staffs of ICAR-DGR, Junagadh participated in this day long webinar organized by ICAR-IIPR and ICAR, New Delhi.