Hon'ble Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Sudarshan Bhagat visited ICAR- Indian Institute of Water Management, Bhubaneswar on 23 May 2017 for review and interaction meeting with officials of ICAR Institutes and Regional Research Stations located in Bhubaneswar to see implementation of programmes of Ministry of Agriculture and farmers Welfare, Govt. of India in different sectors of Agriculture. He also presided over a Farmer-Scientist interaction meeting in which farmers from different districts of Odisha participated to discuss about ongoing programmes of Govt. of India. In his address Hon'ble Minister emphasized on more effort for agricultural development in the drought affected region in the country. He mentioned that the part of Jharkhand state and adjacent districts of North Odisha has to suffer from inadequate supply of water in agricultural field due to drought despite existence of several flowing rivers. He stressed upon need for creation of more water resources for successful implementation of "har khet ko pani"movement. He commended the work of ICAR-IIWM done in this aspect under "PMKSY" programme. He also stressed on need for research for harnessing 'stream flows' in hills for use of its water for agricultural production. He mentioned the potential of horticulture, fisheries and animal husbandry sectors for doubling of farm productivity and income within stipulated time frame. During the visit, he planted tree sapling at the institute campus, visited field experiments on micro-irrigation and treatment of wastewater apart from visiting research laboratories. During the function, representatives of Directors of ICAR-NRRI, ICAR-CIWA, ICAR-CIFA, Heads of CHES, CTCRI, CARI and Scientists from ICAR-IIWM participated in the discussion. Earlier, Dr. S.K. Ambast, Director, ICAR-IIWM welcomed the Union Minister of State and guests and briefed the gathering about various achievements of ICAR-IIWM and its research activities including those under PMKSY, MGMG programme in the farmer's field.