'World Cotton Day' was celebrated by Main Cotton Research Station, Surat by organizing a farmers workshop as a part of CCI-ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR) BMPs Extension Project at APMC, Nizar Dist. Tapi on October 07, 2023.

Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor Dr. Z. P. Patel presided over the function. Dr. N. M. Chauhan, Director of Extension Education; Shri Yogeshbhai Rajput, Chairman, APMC, Nizar; Shri Laxmanbhai Chaudhary, Chairman, Nizar Taluka Co-op. Sangh; Shri Kailashbhai Patel, Vice President, Surat District Co-op. Union; Shri Ghanshyambhai Patel, Taluka Co-op. Sangh; Shri Vijay Verma, Representative of CCI, Ahmedabad; Shri Sunilbhai Patel, Vice President, and Shri Dilipbhai R. Patil, Director, The Surat District Co-op. bank were present on the occasion. Total 253 cotton growing farmers of Tapi district participated in the workshop.

Hon’ble VC, in his inaugural speech appraised the efforts and activities of the NAU Scientists for the growth, development and economic prosperity of the farmers. He highlighted the activities of the NAU in education, extension, research and development of various patents, MoUs and commercial products viz., improved seeds, bio-fertilizer, bio-pesticides, value addition in banana, chiku, bamboo, millets and others fruits. He also appreciated the efforts of the farmers of the Tapi district for the farming in low lying areas of Tapi catchment area through their innovative approaches of early sowing and taking a good crop despite of water logging during monsoon season. He urged all stake holders like Department of Agriculture, KVKs, Co-op. and private organization and progressive farmers to establish varied processing and infrastructure units taking benefit of Agri. infrastructure fund.

Hon'ble VC congratulated Dr. M.C. Patel, Research Scientist(Cotton), MCRS Surat and his entire team for the organizing and educating the farmers of the interior tribal area of the Tapi district. He also visited demonstration plot of drip irrigation of farmer, Shri Kiranbhai Sharadbhai Patel and interacted in detail about the technology and praised the cultivation of cotton since British era and urged farmers to adopt Bt cotton hybrids released from Main Cotton Research Station, NAU, Surat.

To make aware the farmers of the region in lighter way the MCRS team have performed a very informative drama “JAG RE KHEDUT JAG” covering scientific approach in modern cotton cultivation and production which attracted audition and received a great applause.

Dr. Chetan Pandya, Senior Scientist & Head, KVK, Vyara associated in organizing workshop. Dr. P. R. Parmar of MCRS successfully handled the whole program and Dr. K. B. Sankat proposed vote of thanks.