B. Neeraja Prabhakar, the Vice-Chancellor of Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University, has been appointed as the chairperson of the Research Advisory Committee (RAC) for the ICAR-Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research (IIOPR) in Pedavegi, Andhra Pradesh. Ms. Prabhakar’s appointment as RAC chairperson is effective from June 13 and she will lead a committee of ten members for a duration of three years.
In addition, Ms. Prabhakar serves as a member of the Telangana Oil Palm Advisory Committee, which advises the State government on matters such as expanding the area dedicated to oil palm cultivation, addressing issues related to oil palm farming, and supporting the oil palm processing industry. She has expressed Telangana’s commitment to alleviate the shortage of edible oil in the country by expanding oil palm cultivation to 20 lakh acres, with a target of reaching at least 10 lakh acres within the next four years. It is noteworthy that Telangana boasts the highest oil recovery rate from the oil palm bunches produced among all states in India.
About the ICAR-Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research (IIOPR)
The ICAR-Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research (IIOPR) located in Pedavegi is the sole esteemed institute in India dedicated to conducting research on oil palm and developing technologies applicable to all oil palm-growing states. The Research Advisory Committee (RAC) will play a crucial role in providing guidance to the IIOPR regarding research initiatives, specifically focusing on addressing the challenges encountered by oil palm farmers across the country.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Director General (ICAR): Himanshu Pathak;
- ICAR established: 16 July 1929;
- ICAR HQ: New Delhi.