Aug 24, 2024: The 58th Foundation Day of BAIF was celebrated by BAIF Offices in all the operational areas in 15 states on August 24 with pride and joy.
The Foundation Day of BAIF was celebrated at BAIF Central Research Station at Urulikanchan, Pune, on August 26. The Chief Guest, Dr. Alfred De Vris, Senior Programme Officer, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, USA, expressed his appreciation for the large number of smallholder farmers, community leaders and women self help group members associated with BAIF, being recognized by BAIF and the changes in the lives of millions of farmers. He traced his association with BAIF to the International Conference on “Livestock Genomics” held during the Golden Jubilee year of BAIF. He felt that while BAIF has made good use of genetics and other resources from other countries, most of the research and development can be undertaken by BAIF’s internal teams itself as they have the necessary expertise and facilities..
Dr. Bharat Kakade, President and Managing Trustee, BAIF, highlighted the efforts of BAIF in adoption of a circular economy with focus on agricultural waste management and biomass production and stated that energy farming will be the future of the country apart from food security and livelihood. He highlighted the partnerships with the Government of India, State Governments, public and private sector undertakings and philanthropic foundations. The strength of BAIF lay in the three campuses at Urulikanchan – the Central Research Station with its focus on livestock and agriculture, the Sexed Sorted semen technology Station and the Rural Innovation Centre.
On this occasion, awards were given to the best Self Help Groups associated with BAIF Programmes, Dairy Farmers, meritorious children of BAIF staff and to BAIF staff for Best Scientific Papers and Best Case Studies. The meritorious students of Dr. Manibhai Desai Navchetana Madhyamik School at Chondha in South Gujarat were also felicitated on this occasion. Start-up Organisations – Five F Agroecology LLP and Areete Business Solutions who have recently collaborated with BAIF, were also recognized on this occasion.
Earlier, Dr. Ashok Pande, Senior Adviser, Scientific Research and Livestock Development, BAIF, welcomed the dignitaries, BAIF staff, village leaders and functionaries, partner organisations, programme participants and well-wishers of BAIF. Dr. Jayant Khadse, Vice President, Livestock Development and Scientific Research, proposed the vote of thanks.
