RAC Team of ICAR-CCARI visits STC outreach activities of the institute

    The second meeting of the Research Advisory Committee (RAC) of ICAR-CCARI, Goa was held from 8-9^th May 2025. The meeting was chaired by Dr. S. D. Sawant (Former Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Maharashtra) and attended by the RAC members Dr. A. Velmurugan (ADG- S&WM, NRM Division, ICAR, New Delhi), Dr. Manoj P. Samuel (Executive Director, Centre for Water Resources Development and Management, Kerala), Dr. Raj Kumar Gautam (Principal Scientist & Head, ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi), Dr. V. Sejian (Dean, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Veterinary Education & Research, Puducherry), Dr. Grinson George (Director, ICAR-CMFRI, Kerala), Dr. Sengottaiyan Vennila (Ex-Principal Scientist, ICAR- NCIPM, New Delhi), Dr. Parveen Kumar (Director, ICAR-CCARI, Goa) and Member Secretary Dr. Shirish D. Narnaware (Senior Scientist, ICAR-CCARI, Goa).

    On the first day, the RAC team, institute Director, and the scientific and technical staff of ICAR-CCARI, Goa visited the various Scheduled Tribe Component (STC) outreach activities of the Institute at South Goa. The RAC team interacted with Khola Chilli Cultivator’s Group representatives, Shri Ratnakar Velip, Mrs. Suvidha Zaravkar and Mrs. Radha Talpikar during their visit to Khola village. The team had a detailed discussion with ST farmers about prospects and problems in farming and the visible improvement in farming and livelihood status following the interventions of the Institute. Dr. R. S. Rajkumar, In-charge Institute Technology Management Unit (ITMU) informed the RAC team that Khola Chilli is the first Farmer Plant Variety from Goa registered with the Plant Varieties Registry of Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority (PPV & FRA), Govt. of India. The ICAR-CCARI has played a pivotal role in the collection, characterization, and reporting of this variety, ultimately leading to its successful registration with PPV & FRA and also got Geographical Indication.

    The RAC chairman and members appreciated the passionate efforts of the scientists for the technological interventions made and work done under the STC component during the last few years by the institute to improve the livelihood of the tribal farmers of Goa. Dr. R. S. Rajkumar, Dr. Sanjay Udharwar, Dr. Paramesha V and Shri Vinod Ubarhande coordinated the field visit.