Lok Sabha Question No. 3372 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-06
Subject: National Agricultural Science Fund
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: MURALI MOHAN MAGANTI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3372 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06/12/2016

## NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE FUND

## 3372. SHRI M. MURALI MOHAN:

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

- (a) the  details  of  the  main  objectives  of  'National  Agricultural  Science  Fund (NASF)';
- (b) whether the Government has achieved the desired results under NASF and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of the funds released by the Government under NASF during the last two years;
- (d) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  maximum  extent  of  money  under  this  fund  is released for fostering research and research culture and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government has received any requests from the societies/organizations from the State Government of Andhra Pradesh; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof including the details of ongoing projects implemented by NASF?

## A N S W E R

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

(SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)

- (a) The main objective of the NASF scheme has been to build capacity for basic, strategic  and  cutting  edge  application  research  in  agriculture  and  address  issues which  can  be  solved  by  intensive  basic  and  strategic  research  jointly  by  team  of organization/institutions.  Underlying this objective are the following aims:-
- a) Foster research and a research culture that will use and advance the frontiers of scientific knowledge to effectively meet the present, anticipated and unanticipated problems of agriculture through various modes and critical investments in research projects.

- b) Build  the  capability  of  the  National  Agricultural  Research  System  through development of wide partnerships in science through projects.
- c) Build  a  storehouse  of  advancement  of  knowledge  in  science  related  to agriculture and awareness of the national importance of basic and strategic research in agriculture.
- d) To provide policy support to the decision makers for use of basic and strategic research in agriculture.
- e) Organization  of  workshop,  seminars,  conferences  etc.  to  create  awareness, prioritization, scientific popularization and related issues.
5. (b) Yes, Madam.  NASF has achieved desired results from funding in terms of publications, technologies, patents, human resource development and prioritisation of  research  in  basic  &  strategic  aspects  of  Indian  agriculture.    A  total  of  379 publication  in  highly  reputed  journals,  10  patents  (filed/granted),  more  than  40 technologies and more than 500 manpower (RAs/SRFs) in cutting edge science/technologies have been made.
6. (c) A  sum  of  Rs.3371.79177  lakh  and  Rs.1211.1322  lakhs  has  been  released during 2015-16 and 2016-17, respectively to different funded centres.
7. (d) Yes, Madam.  Maximum fund has been released to support research in basic and strategic aspects of Indian agriculture in the form of projects, mostly through competitive mode.
8. (e) Yes,  Madam.    NASF  invites  online  submission  of  project  proposals  under competitive mode by the scientists/researchers of different institutions.  Under Call VI, a total number of 996 proposals were received and out of which, 79 were from A.P. (includes Telangana).
9. (f) Seven projects comprising of 11 funded centres are being operated under the NASF funding presently in A.P. (includes Telangana).

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