Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurates new facilities at ICAR-IIAB Ranchi and calls for a nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan

National Launch Agriculture & Rural Science & Technology

Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurates new facilities at ICAR-IIAB Ranchi and calls for a nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan

8 October 2026

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated new facilities at ICAR-Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology (ICAR-IIAB), Ranchi, by video conference.
They include the Admin-cum-School Building, Birsa Munda Multipurpose Hall, Jaipal Singh Munda Sports Complex and NEXTGEN Breeding Facility.
He laid the foundation stone of a new guest house costing ₹119 crore.
About 1,500 farmers from Ranchi, Khunti, Gumla and Ramgarh attended a pre-Rabi farmers' conference.
Nano urea, nano DAP and seed kits were distributed to farmers.
Chouhan urged scientists to undertake a nationwide 'Khet Bachao Abhiyan' (Save the Fields Campaign) in the coming days.

Guest house foundation stone: ₹119 crore Farmers attending: About 1,500 Districts: Ranchi, Khunti, Gumla, Ramgarh Campaign called for: Khet Bachao Abhiyan

Why it matters for exams: ICAR institutes, nano fertilisers and farmer-outreach campaigns are regular agriculture and current-affairs topics.

Kerala PSCUPSC

8 October 2026 Source: Press Information Bureau

In plain words

ICAR Indian Council of Agricultural Research — The apex body for agricultural research and education in India.

IIAB Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology — The ICAR institute at Garhkhatanga, Ranchi, for agricultural biotechnology research.