National Research Centre on Integrated Farming at East Champaran District Bihar The foundation stone laying ceremony of National Research Centre on Integrated Farming (ICAR-NRCIF) was held today, Pipra Kothi, East Champaran district, Bihar. Union Minister of Agriculture, Shri Radha Mohan Singh was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Inaugurating the National Integrated Agriculture Research Centre, Shri Radha Mohan Singh said that the new institute will be dedicated to the welfare of the farmers in the region. The mandate of the institute will be to conduct research on the development of location specific integrated farming system models for diverse agro-ecological conditions specially flood and wetland situation with emphasis on rice, sugarcane and banana which require more water. Agriculture Minister expressed hope that the institute will bear the responsibility of developing integrated models for whole of the region so that the food and nutritional security of people is secured. He declared that KVKs will be strengthened across the country for accelerating the lab to land programme. Progressive farmers and entrepreneurs from the region including seven women farmers, who have excelled in cultivation of mushroom, banana cultivation and rice production were felicitated by the Minister. On the occasion, Dr S. Ayyappan, DG, ICAR and Secretary, DARE welcomed all dignitaries and farmers and apprised about the mandate of the newly established institute. On this occasion, a Kishan Gosthi on Integrated Farming and one Exhibition on agriculture were also organised by ICAR. The programme was attended by more than 3000 farmers from East Champaran and neighbouring districts and a large numbers of entrepreneurs, scientists and social workers. NCJ/CP