ICAR-DGR, Junagadh and its Regional Research Stations at Bikaner, Anantpur and Medinipur celebrated 76th Independence day of India. The celebration was started with a parade by our ex-service personnel followed by flag hoisting. In his address, Dr CS Praharaj, Acting Director of the Institute briefed about the progress of work and achievements during the last 6 months (listed as under). This was followed by singing of patriotic songs and awareness programmes on Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. All our regular and contract personnel including YPs, RFs, security personnel, and children in large numbers from nearby villages participated in this grand event (>200 people). We also celebrated Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav through Har Ghar Tiranga during 13 to 15 August 2022.

Significant Achievements/Progress of Work of ICAR-DGR, Junagadh (last 6 months)

• The institute has identified five varieties for notification/release during 2022. Out of these, three new varieties of groundnut are for central release (K1812 or Kadiri Lepakshi for Maharashtra and Karnataka; RG-638 or Raj Mungfali 4 for Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana; and high oleic acid variety ICGV 16668 or GG40 for Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana; and two varieties for Tamil Nadu state (VRI 9, and VRI 10).

• QRT for 2017-21 has been constituted by Council under the chairmanship of Dr SK Sharma, Former VC, CSK HPKV, Palampur, with Drs V Muralidharan, Ex-Director, ICAR-DGR, Junagadh, SG Savaliya, Dean (Agri), JAU, Junagadh, OP Sharma, Ex PS and Officiating Director, NCIPM, New Delhi, AK Saxena, Ex-Director, NBAIM, Mau, Rajendra Prasad, Ec- ADG (Ex), ICAR, New Delhi and Dr KK Pal, PS and Member Secretary (QRT) as the members.

• RAC 2022 held successfully on Physical mode during 26-27th March, 2022 under the hon’ble chairmanship of Dr A Bandyopadhyay, former Director, DGR and ADG (NASF) and the proceedings has been approved by the Council.

• IMC 2022 held on physical mode on 24th May, 2022 for the Institute and the proceedings has also been approved by the Council.

• IRC 2022 (Kharif) held successfully during 30-31st May, 2022. It involved subject matter experts/reviewers from outside the Institute which included our former ICAR-DGR Directors and ADG (Oilseeds and Pulses).

• Annual Group Meeting of AICRP on Groundnut was held successfully under the chairmanship of DDG (CS) during 25-26th April, 2022 at ICAR-DGR, Junagadh. We have also participated in AGM of AICRP on Rapeseed and Mustard held during August 1-3, 2022 at RARI, Durgapura (Rajasthan) wherein we identified 3 varieties for notification/release by CVRC.

• MRC (Monthly Review Committee) meeting was held regularly at ICAR-DGR for the first time with effect from April, 2022 and was continued every month to review/monitor the ongoing activities at the institute.

• A MoU was signed with ANGRAU, Guntur on 28th April, 2022 for transfer of 44.90 acres of land free-of-cost to ICAR-DGR, Junagadh for establishment of its Regional Research Station at Anantapur. Following this MoU, R & D works (construction of new office-cum lab building initiated) has been started towards establishment of this RRS.

• ICAR-DGR also organized/participated in several Seminars and Symposiums including NAAS Webinar on 28-03-2022, Groundnut Network Group-Asia (GNG-A) by ICRISAT on 5th April, 2022 aiming at ‘Self-sufficiency in Oilseeds’ and Annual Zonal Workshop of KVKs of Zone VIII (Maharashtra, Gujarat & Goa) during 7-9th July, 2022 at AAU, Anand (presented a paper/chaired the technical session).

• Shri Sanjay Garg, IAS, Additional Secretary DARE, Govt. of India visited ICAR-DGR campus on 08th March, 2022. Shri Rajendra Pawar, Chairman, Agriculture Development Trust, Baramati, Maharashtra visited DGR on 21st March, 2022. Also, RAC chairman Dr A Bandyopadhyay and members of RAC visited DGR during 26-27th March, 2022 (Visits in person).

• Rupees 82.94 lakh was remitted by Council under Disaster and Emergency Management Fund over and above our Plan Budget during March, 2022 and spent by ICAR-DGR during the FY 2021-22 for construction of Institute internal main road damaged by heavy rainfall during 2021. Rupees 50 lakhs was again realized/remitted by Council out of 99.02 lakhs under the same Fund on August 02, 2022 for construction of collapsed boundary wall of ICAR-DGR main campus at Junagadh.

•  A NASF project at a funding of 37.31 lakhs per year was approved and sanctioned for ICAR-DGR, Junagadh during June, 2022.

• Annual Report 2021 (English), Girnar Patrika (2020), ICAR-DGR Newsletter (July to Sept, 2021 & Oct to Dec, 2021) published.

• Construction of office cum lab building at RRS, Anantpur (Andhra Pradesh) at a cost of 1.9043 crores have been vetted/approved by Council and money remittances to the tune of 35 lakhs rupees to CPWD has been made for construction of the same.

• The Institute has spent >99.59% of allocated fund during 2021-22 by the end of March, 2022 and also spent ​88.2% purchase of stores through GeM only during FY-2021-2022.

• For ICAR-DGR, we have settled our three long and outstanding audit paras during last 6 months.

• External Audit has been completed successfully during May 12 to 15, 2022 (under the aegis of Director General of Audit, Ahmedabad) without any audit paras.

• Quality certificate of ISO 2009-2015 for ICAR-DGR was issued successfully for a period of 3 years (2022-25).

• Two drones at the cost of 20 lakhs have been approved by Council through ICAR-ATARI, Pune recently and remittances is being realized for the purchase of the same soon for Research and Demonstration/ Extension purpose.

• Regarding WORK in progress at DGR, Junagadh, it includes CPWD works on roads from both building to residence gate and farthest farm end, culvert for DGR pond, Boundary work, sliding doors in our main building, Operating ABI Unit, construction of office cum lab buildings at both RRS Anantpur (AP) and Medinipur (WB) etc. We are planning to Inaugurate Office-cum-Lab Building at ICAR-DGR, RRS-Bikaner during Sept 2022 following completion of the Building.

• Director thanked all for their support and cooperation. He also thanked Council for all the support.