Lok Sabha Question No. 3363 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-01
Subject: Agricultural Research
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, T. RADHAKRISHNAN, SUDHEER GUPTA, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, S. RAJENDRAN, VIJAY KUMAR S.R.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3363 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01/01/2019

## AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

## 3363.  SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

SHRI S. RAJENDRAN:

SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

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

- (a) the steps taken by the Government for the purpose of agricultural research in the country;
- (b) whether any advances/achievements in agricultural technology have been made in any of the agricultural research institutes in the country;
- (c) if so, the details thereof during each of the last three years and the current year;
- (d) whether  these  advances/achievements  have  been  adopted  by  farmers  in  the country;
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for the same; and
- (f) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to import agricultural technology from other countries?

## 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 agricultural  research  and  development  (R&D)  system  in  India  has  a  strong base.  The  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  in  collaboration  with  the National Agricultural Research and Education System is the apex research organization of  the  country  mandated  for  coordinating  the  agricultural  research,  education  and extension activities for productivity enhancement and diversification of Indian agriculture for the welfare of society. To keep pace with the changing environment, the ICAR has been updating its visions and strategies from time to time to develop strategic framework

for inclusive and sustainable agricultural growth in the country. ICAR/NARS with its 103 research Institutes, 75 Agricultural Universities and 91 All India Coordinated Research Projects/ Network Projects is engaged in developing and promoting new crop varieties, technologies  in  package  of  practices  in  the  field  of  agriculture  including  animal husbandry  and  fisheries.  The  major  focus  is  on  addressing  issues  at  ground  level  to develop  location  specific,  cost  effective,  eco-friendly,  climate  resilient  technologies keeping  in  view  the  farmers'  resource  availability  and  grass-root  farm  innovations  to enhance agricultural production, productivity and profitability in the country.

-  Concrete  steps  have  been  taken  by  the  Government  to  promote  Agricultural  R&D during the last 4 years.
-  Identified  and  documented  efficient  alternative  cropping  systems  having  higher productivity  potential  for  different  agro-climatic  zones.  These  alternative  systems have been included in the Crop Production Guide/ package of practices of respective states.
-  Developed 51 Integrated Farming System Models encompassing field and horticultural crops, agroforestry, livestock, fisheries for doubling income of small and marginal  farmers  of  different  agro-ecological  regions  of  the  country.  Developed  45 organic  farming  package  of  practices  for  dominant  crops  and  cropping  systems  to enhance farmers' income, which are being promoted under Parampragat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY). 633 district contingency plans are in place for preparedness and real time implementation in the event of weather aberrations and extreme climatic events.
-  Under National Innovation in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA), ICAR through KVKs  of  121 climatically vulnerable districts of 29 States/Union Territories implemented proven climate resilient technologies and practices which are being upscaled by many State Governments.
-  Nanaji Deshmukh National Phenomics Facility established at IARI, Pusa New Delhi was dedicated to the nation by the Honourable Prime Minister. The facility, only one of its kind in the whole world is helpful to scientists in conducting state of art research in  various  spheres  of  crop  and  agricultural  sciences.  The  facility  is  proving  to  be  a boon for addressing the challenges posed by the climate change and tackling adverse effects of variable climate on agricultural crops.
-  Farm implement and machines suitable for farmers under Indian conditions are being developed  and  popularized  among  farmers  of  the  country.  For  this  purpose,  farm machinery banks and custom hiring centers are being established.
-  With eastern India focus, two new IARI like institutions, one in Jharkhand and Assam have been established, National Biological Research Institute has been established in Todong  (Sikkim),  Indian  Institute  of  Agricultural  Biotechnology  (IIAB)  has  been established in Ranchi (Jharkhand), Rajendra Prasad Agricultural University has been upgraded to Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University. Further, Mahatma Gandhi  National  Integrated  Agricultural  Research  Institute  has  been  established  in Bihar for conducting research and promoting integrated farming.
- (b) Yes, Madam.

(c) The  achievements  in agricultural technology by research institutes include development of hybrids and superior varieties of cereals,  cotton,  vegetables  and  fruits,

technology  for  pest  management,  climate  resilient  agriculture  and  natural  resource management  to  indicate  a  few.  Besides,  ICAR  provides  technology  backstopping  and policy  support  to  the  Government  on  various  schemes  and  initiatives  notably,  seed industry, market reforms, doubling farm income and GST. The salient achievements in the field of agricultural research and education made by the Govt. have been documented and can be accessed at ICAR website through the link  https://icar.org.in/content/4-yearachievement.  Some of these achievements are given in Annexure-I.

- (d) Yes, Madam.

(e) Development  in  agriculture  sector  is  the  testimony  of  adoption  of  advances/ achievements in agricultural technology by the research institutions. There is a time lag between adoption and development of new technology and it normally varies from 5-7 years to reach to farmers' field. The studies on spread of technologies and acceleration of growth in total factor productivity in agriculture are evidence of technology developed by the  research  institutions.  ICAR/NARS  has  developed  a  strong  mechanism  to  take  the technologies to the farmers' field.

During the last 4 years, through the network of 704 KVKs, the ICAR has provided technological  support  to  around  6.0  crore  farmers,  farm  women  and  rural  youth  by conducting 6.45 lakh technology validation and demonstrations, capacity development of 53.96 lakh farmers, organizing extension activities for 540.04 lakh farmers. Besides, the KVKs produced and distributed 18.46 lakh quintals quality seeds of different field crops, 17.12  crore  planting  materials  of  different  horticultural  crops  and  9.50  crore  livestock strains  and  fingerlings  during  the  period.  The  KVKs  also  provided  10.23  crore  agroadvisories on plant protection, weather information, market related information, animal husbandry, fisheries, etc. on the mobile of farmers.

The government has started the Pandit Deen Dayal Unnat Krishi Shiksha Yojanaunder which training programs are being organized on organic farming / natural farming and cow-based economy for farmers.  Under Mera Gaon- Mera Gaurav scheme, teams of 4  scientists  from  different  ICAR  Research  Institutes  and  agricultural  universities  are working  in  a  cluster  of  5  villages  each  and  guiding  the  farmers  on  different  areas  of technology adoption in agriculture. More than 13500 villages have already been covered in  the  scheme  so  far.  Besides,  through  the  'Farmer  First'  scheme  launched  in  the  year 2015-16 for overall village development, over 48,200 farm families have been benefitted so far.

ICAR is making efforts for reaching out to large number of farmers through KVK portal,  mobile  apps,  video  films  and  e-platform  for  mobile  advisory  besides  radio  and television  networks.  Agro  meteorological  advisories,  package  of  practices  and  market related  information  is  regularly  uploaded  on  KVK  portal,  over  360  websites  of  KVKs, 30,777  video  clips  and  666  e-publications  have  been  developed  and  over  130  lakh farmers  registered  on  mKisan  portal.  More  than  120  commodity  and  region  specific mobile Apps have been developed for rapid transfer of technology. These include, PUSA KRISHI-  Technology  Mobile  App,  'riceXpert',  E-Kapas  network  and  technology documentation, Pulse-Expert for pests & diseases, e-Pest surveillance, advisory  system for  horticultural  crops,  online  pest  monitoring  and  advisory  services,  pest  forewarning application, KRISHI-Digital data portal.

(f) The  concerted  efforts  are  being  made  in  all  fields  by  the  agricultural  research institutions  to  develop  innovative  technology  for  meeting  the  needs  of  the  country. Attempts  are  being  made  to  develop  technology  that  requires  less  resources/  energy. Proprietary foreign technologies are being accessed by the private sector for commercialization  in  the  country.  Twenty  accessions  of  oil  palm  germplasm  (Sierra Leone  and  Senegal  sourced)  were  imported  from  MPOB,  Malaysia  through  NBPGR under  the  project  entitled  'International  collaborative  research  project  on  oil  palm germplasm exchange between India and Malaysia' during 2014-15.

*******

## Annexure I [Part (c) of Lok Sabha USQ No.3363 for 01/01/2019]

The steps taken by the Government for the purpose of agricultural research in the country. The advances/ achievements in agricultural technology made by the agricultural research institutes in the country

-  In  order  to  increase  seed  choice,  reduce  vulnerability  of  crops  for  climate  change  and resistance  towards  diseases  a  total  of  898  crop  varieties  have  been  developed  by  our National  Agriculture  Research  System  since  2014,  which  includes  traits  of  stress  and disease tolerance, high yielding and agro-climatic zone specificity comprising of 480 of cereals,  131  of  oil  seeds,  127  of  pulses,  72  of  Fibre  crops,  57  of  forage  crops,  30  of sugarcane  and  01  of  water  melon.  Of  these  898  varieties,  580  varieties  are  climate resilient  of  which  497  have  been  demonstrated  at  Farmers'  fields  under  various  agroclimatic conditions under National Innovations in Climate Resilience Agriculture (NICRA). Besides, during 4 years of Government, ICAR has developed 20 bio- fortified varieties of crops having high contents of nutrients like Iron, Zinc, Vitamin- A etc.  A total 20 bio- fortified varieties of crops having high contents of nutrients like Iron, Zinc, Vitamin- A were developed to fight against malnutrition. These varieties are: Paddy (CR Dhan  310,  DRR  Dhan  45,  GNR-4,  DRR  Dhan  48,  DRR  Dhan  49),  Wheat  (WB  02, HPBW 01), Maize (Pusa Vivek QPM 9 Unnat, pusa HM 4 Unnat, Pusa HM 8 Unnat, Pusa HM 9 Unnat), Bajra (HHB 299, AHB 1200), Lentil (Pusa Ageti Masoor), Mustard (Pusa 00 31, Pusa Sarson 30), Cauliflower (Pusa Bt Kesari 1), Sugarbeet (Bhu Sona, Bhu Krishna) and Pomegranate (Solapur Lal).
-  Realizing pulses as a cheaper protein source, the Government is promoting pulses and country. For this purpose, the Government established 150 pulses seed hubs to produce quality  seeds  of  important  pulse  in  collaboration  with  Department  of  Agricultural Cooperation  &  Farmers  Welfare.  These  seed  hubs  produced  1.12  lakh  quintals  of certified quality seed during 2017-18. The pulse focus of the Government has paved the way for the record production of pulses in the country and achieving self-sufficiency in pulse production.
-  First time in the country ICAR has developed 8 GM Bt Cotton varieties for commercial cultivation. The seed of these varieties will be available at Rs. 200 per Kilogram to the farmers and can be used by the farmers for 2-3 years which is not possible in case of Bt Hybrid Cotton varieties where farmers have to purchase the costly Hybrid seed every year.
-  New improved varieties of horticultural crops such as fruits and vegetables with multiple resistance and  higher productivity have  been  developed  for higher productivity, nutritional  quality  and  other  attributes.  Similarly,  phytochemicals  and  nutrient  rich varieties  of  spices  and  tuber  crops  have  been  identified  for  strengthening  nutritional security of general populace. Keeping in view the demand of the horticulture industry,

ICAR,  during  the  last  4  years,  developed  processable  varieties  of  fruit  and  vegetable crops  which  include;  Pomegranate  (2);  Grapes  (5);  Litchi  (3);  Banana  (2),  Mushroom (1); Onion (3); Garlic (1) and Tomato (2). As the horticulture production is increasing, the Government is extending all possible research and policy support for production of safe  food  for  enhanced  export  both  for  ensuring  remunerative  prices  to  farmers  and earning foreign exchange.

-  In order to achieve self-sufficiency in milk, meat (including fish) and egg production, the Government  is  taking  up  research  and  developmental  efforts  through  the  network  of animal  and  fisheries  science  institutes.  Several  technologies/  processes  have  been standardized for value addition of milk, meat, hair/wool products.
-  ICAR has developed 14 new strains (4 of backyard poultry, 9 of pigs and one sheep) during the last 4 years.
-  For  forecasting  and  forewarning  of  13  important  livestock  diseases  National  Animal Disease Referral Expert System has been developed for timely and appropriate action. Vaccines against 9 major diseases of livestock have also been developed by the Council during the last 4 years.
-  In fisheries and aquaculture, during the last 4 years ICAR developed 5 different high value compounds and nutraceuticals for human health (i) Green mussel extract and (ii) Green  algal  extract  for  pain  &  arthritis  (iii)  Seaweed  antidiabetic  extract  for  type-2 diabetes  (iv)  Seaweed  anti-obesity  extract  to  combat  obesity/dyslipidemia  and  (v) Seaweed  anti-hypothyroidism  nutraceutical  to  combat  hypothyroid  disorder.    Further, breeding and seed production technology for 9 different fish species including 5 marine fish  species  suitable  for  open  sea  cage  culture.  Over  1600  cages  have  already  been installed  all  along  the  coast  of  India.  Developed  a  Rapid  Detection  Kits  for  detecting Formaldehyde and Ammonia contamination in fresh fish by paper strip method - A path breaking initiative.
-  During the last 4 years, ICAR research institutes developed 75 equipment/machines/gadgets  and  37  products/  process  protocols  for  mechanization  of farm and postharvest operations. Established 652 custom hiring centres and established 49  agro-processing  centres  in  rural  catchments  to  encourage  entrepreneurship  and processing at the production sites.

ICAR, during the last 4 years, developed over 750 agriculture based startups and Agri-entrepreneurs including the Farmer Entrepreneurs in various areas of agriculture. ICAR, Research Institutes have provided the support for technology incubation activity and  nurturing  the  techno-entrepreneurs  in  Agri-business  Incubation  (ABI)  Centers established  in  25  ICAR  institutes,  keeping  in  view  the  spectrum  of  technologies, available infrastructure and the core competency of the institutes.

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