New Delhi, May 17 (PTI): The government today decided to set up Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in Assam at a cost of over Rs 155 crore to promote agri-education and realise second green revolution in the north eastern region.
A decision to this effect was taken at the Union Cabinet meeting, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The first IARI was set up in the national capital way back in 1967. The Modi government announced plans to set up four such institutes the Budget 2014-15.
“The work to set up an IARI in Ranchi (Jharkhand) has started. The IARI-Assam was delayed as the previous government did not give land. The current (Sarbananda) Sonowal government has given 587 acres of land and work will start,” Union Minister Piyush Goyal told reporters after the meeting.The Cabinet has approved the agriculture ministry’s proposal to set up an IARI in Dhemaji district in Assam. It has also approved 98 positions, an official statement said.
The IARI-Assam would focus more on research activities and will teach 67 MSc students and 106 PhD students, Goyal said, adding that it will promote research in agriculture and benefit eight north eastern states. Development of north eastern region is a priority for the government and has the potential to bring second green revolution, he added.
“IARI-Assam would work on the agrarian challenges and complexities of North Eastern India in coordination with all existing central and state government research and development Institutions and private sector enterprises,” the statement said.
It will be an off-campus of IARI, New Delhi, and undertake integrated multi-disciplinary research through Schools of Crop Sciences, Natural Resource Management, and Animal Sciences and Fisheries, it added.
