Lok Sabha Question No. 522 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-06
Subject: Agriculture Education and Research
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: MOHANBHAI KALYANJIBHAI KUNDARIYA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 522

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06/02/2018

## AGRICULTURE EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

## 522. SHRI KUNDARIYA MOHAN BHAI KALYANJI BHAI:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f"k vkSj fdlku dY;k.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) the facilities available for agriculture education and research in Saurashtra region of Gujarat;
- (b) the funds provided and achievements made therein during the last three years;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  considering  any  proposal  to  set  up  a  dedicated Research Institute for semi-arid agriculture in the region;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  promote  agriculture  in  Saurashtra region to increase farmers' income?

## A N S W E R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f'k vkSj fdlku dY;k.k ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h

## (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) The Junagarh Agriculture University, Junagarh along with its constituent colleges, research stations and KVKs have been established by Government of Gujarat to cater to the needs of Agriculture Education & Research in Saurashtra region of Gujarat.

The  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (lCAR)  has  established  11  Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in the Saurashtra region for assessment and demonstration of technology  product  and  its  dissemination  through  a  number  of  extension  programmes among farming community of region.

(b) The support provided to the Junagarh Agriculture University, Junagarh under the plan scheme of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) during the last three years was Rs. 17.71 crore as per details below:

|         | (Rs. in Crore)   | (Rs. in Crore)   |
|---------|------------------|------------------|
| 2014-15 | 2015-16          | 2016-17          |
| 3.94    | 4.76             | 9.01             |

Agriculture including agricultural education is  State subject. However, the ICAR provides critical funding  for infrastructure and  other facilities  under  the  scheme 'Strengthening and Development of Higher Agricultural Education in India'. Under this scheme  support  was  provided  for  students  amenities  and  facilities  for  enhancing  and ensuring the quality of higher agricultural education and Post graduate research during the last three years. For smooth implementation of the Student 'READY' programme, as per the recommendations of the V Deans' Committee, three new Experiential Learning Modules were also supported during last three years.

The Agricultural  Universities  have  rendered  a  great  service  to  the  nation  in  the field of Higher Agricultural Education, Research & Extension. The university in liaison with  ICAR  has  developed  several  location  specific  varieties  and  15  varieties  have  got recognition  at  National  level,  cost  effective  technologies  (suiting  soil  and  climate)  for farmers,  seed  production  and  their  distribution  viz.  groundnut,  wheat,  chickpea,  pearl millet,  castor,  sesame  and  horticultural  crops  of  Saurashtra  region,  bio  agents  and  bio fertilizers for farmers, control measures for prevalent pests of the region, fertilizer for the zinc and iron deficient soils developed, to boost agricultural production and productivity in the region.

- (c) Presently there is no such proposal.
- (d) Question does not arise.

(e) During the last year, the KVKs in the Saurashtra region conducted 4838 On-Farm trials and Frontline Demonstrations (FLDs) for technology update and its application in farmers field; conducted 700 cluster FLDs on pulses & 2300 cluster FLDs on oilseeds; provided  training  to  4271  farmers  and  455  extension  personnel;  created  awareness  on improved  technologies  among  1.31  lakhs  farmers  and  others  stake  holders  through various extension programmes. The KVKs also produced 321 quintals of seed; 0.91 lakh of planting materials and analysed 3244 samples of soil and water. Besides KVKs in this region also provided the mobile-agro advisory to farmers on various aspects of farming. These activities have benefitted the farmers in getting higher yields and more income.

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