Lok Sabha Question No. 4337 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-19
Subject: Efficiency and Accountability of ICAR
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Parshottambhai Rupala

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4337

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## EFFICIENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF ICAR

## 4337. SHRI PARSHOTTAMBHAI RUPALA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि और ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) the  actions  that  the  Government  has undertaken regarding the representation that was previously submitted to assess the legislation of Ontario (Canada), Tanzania, Mauritius and Sierra Leone;
- (b) whether this legislation seeks to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Agricultural Research Activities and accountability, so that after a comprehensive review, relevant points can be applied in our country to improve the efficiency and accountability of ICAR, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government is contemplating the introduction of specific legislation to further enhance the efficiency and accountability of ICAR, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि और ककसान कल्याण राज्य मंत्री (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY)

- (a): The  Government  has  taken  cognizance  of  the  representation.  To  address  the  evolving challenges and to make Indian agriculture more resilient, profitable, and sustainable, NITI Aayog has formulated a comprehensive vision for Agriculture and the Rural Economy, aligned with the goals  of  Viksit  Bharat  by  2047.  Accordingly,  the  Department  of  Agricultural  Research  and Education  (DARE)  and  the  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  have  strategically aligned their research, education, and extension systems with this national vision.

ICAR, a nearly centuryold institution, has evolved into one of the world's largest networks of agricultural research and education. Since independence, ICAR has played a pivotal role in ensuring  national  food  security  through  scientific  and  technological  advancements,  and  has significantly contributed to positioning India as a net exporter of agricultural commodities.

(b): The National  Agricultural  Research  System  (NARS)  in  India  comprises  the  ICAR,  State Agricultural  Universities  (SAUs),  Central  Agricultural  Universities  (CAUs),  and  Krishi  Vigyan Kendras  (KVKs).  NARS  engages  in  collaborative  research  and  development  with  the  private sector  in  technology  development,  transfer,  and  commercialization  in  agriculture  and  allied sectors.

The Government, from time to time, undertakes external evaluations of ICAR's schemes to assess  the  impact  of  its  research  programmes  and  to  recommend  measures  for  improving research efficiency and effectiveness. The recent such evaluation was undertaken during 2020 -21, covering ICAR schemes implemented in the period 2017 -2020.

(c): Government is not contemplating the introduction of such legislation for Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

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