ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Umiam, celebrated its 51st Foundation Day at the MS Swaminathan Hall, marking over five decades of dedicated service to agricultural research and development in the North Eastern Region. The programme witnessed the enthusiastic participation of more than 200 farmers, along with scientists, officials, and representatives from nearby ICAR institutes and allied organizations. The celebrations began with the dignitaries’ visit to exhibition stalls showcasing innovative technologies, publications, and farmer-centric initiatives of the institute.
        Dr. S. Hazarika, Director, ICAR–RC NEH, in his welcome address, highlighted the various developmental initiatives undertaken by the Institute. He emphasized that while the achievements are commendable, there is no room for complacency, as the agricultural landscape is continuously evolving. He further stressed the need for meticulous development of innovative technologies to effectively respond to these changes and ensure the long-term sustainability of agriculture.
        Dr. G. Kadirvel, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Zone–VI, Guwahati, in his address recalled the establishment of the Institute under the visionary leadership of Dr. M. S. Swaminathan and highlighted its strong growth over the years. He paid tribute to past leaders for their contributions to its development and noted the Institute’s role in advancing societal development in the region. He urged farmers to adopt the technologies developed by the Institute and called for collective efforts in synergy for its continued progress.

        Dr. A. K. Mohanty, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Zone–VII, Umiam, described the occasion as a “red-letter day” and emphasized the need to reflect on achievements, assess current challenges, and reaffirm future commitments. He highlighted the importance of planning research to address existing deficits, reduce post-harvest losses, and integrate agri-entrepreneurship while bridging research, policy, and scientific gaps to promote sustainable agriculture. He laid emphasis on the development of industry-ready technologies.
        Dr. S. V. Ngachan, Former Director, ICAR–RC NEH, emphasized that the technologies developed by the Institute must be farmer-friendly to ensure wider adoption. He stressed the relevance of natural farming in the present era, noting that changing food habits have impacted public health. He highlighted that natural farming practices can enable the production of safe, nutritious, and healthy food, benefiting both farmers and consumers.
        The Foundation Day Lecture was delivered by Dr. V. K. Mishra, Former Director, ICAR RC NEH, who reflected on the evolution of the Institute and emphasized future priorities in farmer-oriented research and technology dissemination. He also gave a presentation on “Emerging Opportunities in the Agriculture Sector of North Eastern Region – Carbon Credit.”
        Dr. K. M. Bujarbaruah, Former Vice Chancellor, Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Jorhat, emphasized that agriculture today stands at a crossroads, driven by three key pillars—Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI). He noted that the sector is undergoing rapid transformation and that a “micro green revolution” would play a crucial role in enhancing farmers’ income and ensuring sustainability. He also lauded ICAR–RC NEH for its significant contributions to hill agriculture and farmer empowerment in the region.
        During the programme, ICAR publications, the “Farm School on Air” initiative, and three animal disease diagnostic kits—BruLisDuplex-qPCR Kit, ASFV NestSure Kit, and BruScan SRCA Kit—were released. A key highlight of the event was the distribution of agricultural inputs to farmers, aimed at supporting improved productivity, livelihood enhancement, and adoption of scientific practices. The programme concluded with a farmer-scientist interaction session.