The Deputy Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Dr. US Gautam, on Thursday, July 13, visited the KJ Chaupal at Krishi Jagran, Delhi. He was invited by the Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Krishi Jagran, MC Dominic and Shiny Dominic, Director, Krishi Jagran.
Born to a humble farming family on January 23, 1963, Dr. Gautam's life was intertwined with the very essence of agriculture from an early age. As he completed his studies, he simultaneously immersed himself in the practical aspects of farming, gaining invaluable knowledge and experience that would shape his future endeavors.
With a master's degree from BHU Varanasi and a Ph.D. under the ICAR fellowship in Dairy Extension from NDRI Karnal, Dr. Gautam embarked on a career that would become an extraordinary tapestry of service and innovation. From his beginnings as an Assistant Extension Specialist in Himachal Pradesh, he steadily ascended the ladder of success, serving as a principal scientist, head of research programs, and a Zonal Project Director, leading the largest zone of Krishi Vigyan Kendras across the nation.
"We have been waiting for ages to have an opportunity to host the DG of ICAR, and finally, today, we have Mr Gautam with us," said Mr Dominic, who has recently unveiled the trophy and logo of the Millionaire Farmer of India Awards (MFOI) during the curtain raiser ceremony. While everyone is perplexed about finding farmers who are rich, Mr Dominic believes that "Dr U.S. Gautam can help us find not a few but millions of millionaire farmers of India." He thinks that farmers should not be looked down upon. They too can aspire to become rich and this award is only going to motivate them to achieve the highest point in their career.
Assuring Mr. Dominic to support this project, Dr. Gautam said, "We have 11000 scientists linked with the ICAR in the country and I salute and support your idea." He also said that "farmers need to have the right business plan; as India is the most populated country, profits are certainly going to happen." He also advised the youth to choose farming as a profession, as it has a wide array of career options from poultry to dairy as well as urban farming and rooftop farming.
This insightful discussion concluded as Mamta Jain, Group Editor and CMO of Krishi Jagran, requested Dr Gautam to facilitate Mr and Mrs Dominic for their relentless efforts in shaping this organisation. "If Dominic Sir is the foundation of this organisation, Shiny ma'am is the reinforcement who keeps everything intact," she said.
