Lok Sabha Question No. 1587 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-03
Subject: New Scientific Techniques for Agricultural Production
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: SONA RAM CHOUDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1587 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03/05/2016

## NEW SCIENTIFIC TECHNIQUES FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

1587. COL. SONARAM CHOUDHARY:

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

(a) the  new  research  carried  out  by  the  agriculture  scientists  to  increase  the production of quality agricultural produce in the country and the mechanism put in place in this regard;

(b) the  details  of  the  assistance  provided  by  the  Government  to  various  State Governments to encourage the farmers to adopt new scientific techniques for quality agricultural production; and

(c) whether  the  Government  is  taking/proposes  to  take  any  concrete  steps  to provide training to the farmers at all Krishi Vigyan Kendras about the high yielding seeds, fertilizer and new technique?

## 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 MOHANBHAI KALYANJIBHAI KUNDARIYA)

(a) Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  focuses  at  harnessing conventional and modern scientific knowledge, tools, and cutting-edge science for development  of  improved  crop  varieties/hybrids  suited  to  diverse  agro-ecologies situations,  climate  smart  management  and  protection  technology  by  promoting excellence  in  basic,  strategic  and  anticipatory  research.  Further,  seed  technology research  and  production  of  breeder  seed  of  hybrids/varieties  is  also  an  important programme. Adoption of  modern technologies such  as  abiotic  stress  tolerant  crop varieties in  situ moisture  conservation,  crop  diversification,  integrated  farming system  and  contingent  crop  planning  to  increase  the  production  of  agricultural produce in the country.

The  ICAR  research  institutes  have  taken  the  basic  and  strategic  research programmes  related  to  crop/animal/fruit/fish  improvement  and  development  of production  and  protection  technologies  to  form  a  base  for  applied  research.  The information  so  developed  is  used  by  respective  All  India  Coordinated  Research Projects (AICRPs) and All India Network Projects (AINPs) being carried out in the State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) to develop location specific varieties/breeds and technologies as per the agro ecological needs for enhancing the production and productivity.

Technologies thus developed are disseminated through KrishiVigyan Kendras (KVKs), SAUs and State Government Extension agencies.

## (b) The details are given in Annexure .

(c) To update the knowledge and skills of farmers and farm women on various technologies,  KVKs  conduct  various  training  programmes  as  one  of  its  activity. During  the  year  2015-16,  a  total  of  41490  training  courses  were  organized  on various technologies which benefited 11.74 lakh farmers and farm women. Most of these courses were on productivity enhancement of field crops, horticultural crops, empowerment of rural women, plant protection, livestock production and management,  soil  health  and  fertility  management,  farm  machinery  tools  and implements, and capacity building and group dynamics, fisheries and agro-forestry. The  participants  included  2.54  lakh  farm-women  in  the  crop  production  training. Besides,  7112  skill-oriented  training  courses  were  organized  for  1.75  lakh  rural youth,  including  61008  young  women  during  the  year.  These  courses  were  on integrated  farming,  mushroom  production,  value-addition,  dairy  farming,  seed production, vermin-culture, nursery management of horticulture crops, bee-keeping, protected  cultivation  of  vegetables,  repair  and  maintenance  of  farm  machinery implements,  sheep  and  goat  rearing,  poultry  production,  production  of  organic inputs  and  small-scale  processing.  In  addition,  during  the  last  year,  KVKs  have produced  1.96  lakh  q  seeds  of  improved  varieties  of  cereals,  oilseeds,  pulses, commercial crops, vegetables, flowers, fruits, spices, fodder, forest species, medicinal plants and fibre crops and provided to 3.28 lakh farmers.

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## SCHEMES FOR ADOPTION OF NEW SCIENTIFIC TECHNIQUES FOR QUALITY AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

The  implementation  of  National  Mission  of  Agricultural  Extension  and  Technology (NMAET)  has  started  with  effect  from  01.04.2014.    Sub-Mission  on  Agricultural  Extension (SMAE) is one of the four Sub-Missions under the NMAET.  The common threats running across all four sub-missions of NMAET are Extension and Technology.  These are inextricably linked to each other at the field level from farmers perspective.

A  multi-tired  extension  strategy  with  a  blend  of  following  extension  and  out-reach initiatives is being followed under the Sub-Missions on Agricultural Extension (SAME) so as to empower farmers with the latest knowledge and information in agriculture and allied sectors.

- (i) Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms Agriculture Technology  Management  Agency  (ATMA)  scheme  has  now  been  extended  to cover  652  Rural  Districts  of  29  States  and  3  UTs  across  the  country.  Various activities  supported  under  this  initiative  for  educating  and  creating  awareness amongst  farmers  including  trainings,  exposure  visits,  demonstrations,  study  tours etc.  Since  inception  3.5  crore  farmers  have  been  benefits  through  various  farmer oriented activities.
- (ii) Mass-Media support to Agricultural Extension and Focussed Publicity Campaigns have also been given a fillip.  The Audio and Video Spots and Success stories are being aired through All-India Radio, Doordarshan and Private Channels operating at the National and Regional level.
- (iii) Kisan Call Centres -  In  yet  another  initiative,  agriculture  related  information  is provided  to  the  farmers  through  Kisan  Call  Centres  (KCCs)  having  toll  free telephone lines assessable through all mobile phones and landlines of all telecom networks including private service provides.
- (iv) Information dissemination through Agri Fairs -  Agriculture  exhibitions are an excellent mechanism  for showcasing latest technological advancements and dissemination  of  information  to  the  farming  community  and  also  for  promoting business opportunities in agriculture and allied sectors. The Ministry is promoting/ organizing agriculture fairs at National and Regional levels.
- (v) Kissan SMS Portal -  The  Nation-wide SMS portal for farmers is working since July, 2013 that enabled all Departments, Offices and Organizations of Government of  India  and  State  Governments  (down  to  the  Block  level)  to  send  information, provide services and given advisories to farmers in their local languages in respect to their location and for preference of crops/ agricultural practices, market prices, weather reports, soil test reports etc.

Besides  above,  support  to  different  institutions  at  National  and  Regional  level  for execution,  review  and  monitoring  of  various  extension  initiatives  and  to  build  capacities  and capabilities  of  senior  and  middle  level  extension  functionaries  across  the  country,  were  also provided.

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