Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Dr Major Singh, member, Agricultural Scientist Recruitment Board, New Delhi, has said that he had conducted trials with 13 varieties of soybean in north-eastern India and found that soybean is a very suitable crop for this region. It has a lot of potential. He also stressed on the development of varieties suitable for natural and organic farming.

He asked scientists to make short videos and upload them on social media to promote soybean and its other products. He also talked about benefits of the soybean-onion crop pattern of Maharashtra. Dr. Singh was addressing as the chief guest the 38th foundation day function of the Indian Institute of Soybean Research (IISR) here on Wednesday. On this occasion former director Dr. VS Bhatia was a guest of honour.

While presenting the report of the achievements of the Institute, director Dr KH Singh informed that last year, 4 soybean varieties were developed for the whole of India through All India Coordinated Research Project on Soybean, which includes NRC 197, NRC 149 developed by Indian Institute of Soybean Research, Indore, JS 23-03 and JS 23-09 developed by Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural University, Jabalpur and RSC 11-42 developed by Indira Gandhi Agricultural University Raipur.

SOPA director Dr. DN Pathak praised the GIS map prepared by the institute for increasing soybean acreage and advised to present it to the policy makers and the government. The director of Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad, Dr RK Mathur praised the institute's social media channels and Adarsh Gram Memdi. He emphasised on expanding the reach-out of the ABI centre to its beneficiaries and also advised to promote intercropping systems of soybean with other crops.

During the foundation day celebrations, progressive soybean farmers who achieved maximum production in the demonstrations organised during Kharif 2024 under various projects implemented by the institute for the promotion of advanced production technology of soybean were awarded. Chief guest honored the employees who did excellent work in the institute.

For the best work during the year 2023-24, Dr. Rakesh Kumar Verma in the category of scientists, Priyanka Sawan in the administrative category, while Phulki Bai and Rumli Bai in the supporting skilled staff category were given special awards. Along with this, Dr Gyanesh Kumar Satpute received the team work award for outstanding achievements by the Estate section of the institute, while Priyanka Sawan received the award for 100 per cent budget utilisation in administrative work.