Lok Sabha Question No. 2631 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-14
Subject: Promotion of Agricultural Education
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Hanuman Beniwal

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2631

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH  DECEMBER, 2021

## PROMOTION OF AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

## 2631. SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL:

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

- (a)  the  efforts  made  by  the  Government  to  promote  research  in  agriculture  and agricultural education in the last four years; and
- (b) the budget provided by the Government to various States for the said purpose and the expenditure of the same?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f"k vkSj fdlku dY;k.k ea=h (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) During the last four years, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has taken various efforts for the promotion of agricultural research and education in the country.

The  major  activities in the area  of agricultural research  include; the development of climate resilient crop varieties and environment friendly production and protection technologies; bio-fortified crop varieties; enhancing water and nutrient use  efficiency  of  crops;  pre-breeding  and  genetic  enhancement  for  improving productivity of cereals, oilseeds and pulses; soil health management; development of location  specific  integrated  farming  system  models  and  integrated  organic  farming systems; promotion of real-time advisory with forecast of weather; development of technologies for improved dairy production, fish production; development of veterinary vaccines/ diagnostics/ prophylactics and strategies to control important livestock, and poultry diseases etc.

For  maintaining  and  upgrading  quality  and  relevance  of  higher  agricultural education, ICAR implements a centrally sponsored Plan Scheme 'Strengthening and

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Development  of  Higher  Agricultural  Education  in  India'.  To  improve  the  quality  of research  and  for  attaining  excellence  in  specific  strategic  areas  in  education  and research and capacity building, the universities are supported in specific Niche Areas under the Scheme. During last four years 18 programmes under different Universities have been supported under Niche Area of Excellence.

- (b) The budget provided by the Government for agricultural research and education is utilised through the Research Institutes of ICAR and Agricultural Universities, and as such no funds are allocated to the States. The budget allocated by the Government for the promotion of agricultural research and education in the country and expenditure during the last 4 years is given as under:

| Table: Budget allocated by the Government for the promotion of agricultural research and education in the Country (Rs. in crores)   | Table: Budget allocated by the Government for the promotion of agricultural research and education in the Country (Rs. in crores)   | Table: Budget allocated by the Government for the promotion of agricultural research and education in the Country (Rs. in crores)   | Table: Budget allocated by the Government for the promotion of agricultural research and education in the Country (Rs. in crores)   | Table: Budget allocated by the Government for the promotion of agricultural research and education in the Country (Rs. in crores)   | Table: Budget allocated by the Government for the promotion of agricultural research and education in the Country (Rs. in crores)   |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Sr. No.                                                                                                                             | Item                                                                                                                                | Year                                                                                                                                | Year                                                                                                                                | Year                                                                                                                                | Year                                                                                                                                |
|                                                                                                                                     |                                                                                                                                     | 2017-18                                                                                                                             | 2018-19                                                                                                                             | 2019-20                                                                                                                             | 2020-21                                                                                                                             |
| 1                                                                                                                                   | Budgetary Allocation (RE)                                                                                                           | 6992.00                                                                                                                             | 7952.73                                                                                                                             | 7846.17                                                                                                                             | 7762.38                                                                                                                             |
| 2                                                                                                                                   | Expenditure                                                                                                                         | 6590.64                                                                                                                             | 7622.27                                                                                                                             | 7659.63                                                                                                                             | 7581.53                                                                                                                             |

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