A group of eleven IAS Officer trainees of the 2025 batch from the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Government of India, visited the ICAR–Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa, today as part of their winter study tour. The trainees were received by the Director of the Institute, Dr. Parveen Kumar, who briefed them on the evolution of Indian agriculture and highlighted the role of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in ensuring national food security. He also provided an overview of the institutional framework and its contributions to research and development in agriculture.
Dr. R. Solomon Rajkumar delivered a comprehensive presentation on the mandate and key research initiatives of the Institute, with emphasis on sustainable coastal agriculture, climate-resilient technologies, and natural resource management. He elaborated on farmer-centric technologies, integrated farming systems, and innovative approaches being developed to enhance the livelihoods of coastal farming communities.
During the visit, the officer trainees engaged in interactive discussions with the scientists of the Institute. Key issues such as management of insect pests, challenges of salinity ingress, utilisation of seaweed resources, and strategies to attract and retain youth in agriculture were deliberated. The role of agro-ecotourism, supported by scientific innovations and policy interventions, was also highlighted as a promising avenue.
The programme was coordinated by Dr. Vinod Ubarhande, with technical assistance from Rahul Kulkarni and Pranjali Wadekar. The visit provided the trainees with valuable exposure to applied agricultural research and offered insights into sustainable development practices relevant to coastal regions.
