Visit of Shri Ram Kripal Yadav, Agriculture Minister of Bihar at ICAR-CIRCOT

Shri Ram Kripal Yadav, Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture, Government of Bihar, visited ICAR–Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (ICAR-CIRCOT), Mumbai on Jan 02 2026. During his visit, he took an overview of various laboratories and witnessed the advanced equipment and state-of-the-art facilities developed by the institute followed by held an interactive session with the scientists.

During the interactive session, Dr. S. K. Shukla, Director, ICAR-CIRCOT, delivered a brief presentation highlighting the history of the institute, its mandates, major research thrust areas and achievements of the institute in the areas of research, technology development, training, and testing services. He emphasized the pivotal role of cotton in India’s economy, given its significance in both the agricultural and textile sectors. He also apprised him about the role of institute’s Agribusiness Incubation (ABI) Centre in supporting the agricultural start-ups. He further highlighted the economic benefits and profits realized through the adoption of technologies developed by ICAR-CIRCOT. He also drew attention to key challenges faced by the institute, particularly the shortage of technical, administrative, and scientific manpower due to vacant positions. 

During the interaction, Shri Ram Kripal Yadav highlighted the importance of agriculture in Bihar, noting that it remains the primary source of employment for a large section of the population. He discussed the major challenges faced by farmers in the state due to climatic adversities such as floods and droughts, and elaborated on the prevailing farming systems practiced in Bihar. Expressing keen interest in initiating cotton cultivation in the state, the Hon’ble Minister urged the scientists to jointly develop innovative strategies and solutions for strengthening the agricultural sector in Bihar, with the aim of improving farmers’ livelihoods and overall rural development. He expressed his happiness and stated that the visit had been highly informative, providing him with valuable exposure to a wide range of scientific advancements. The visit concluded with the Hon’ble Minister extending his blessings to the institute and its staff, encouraging them to strive for greater achievements in the future.