Lok Sabha Question No. 1589 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-09
Subject: Funds for Agricultural Research and Innovation
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. Vinod Kumar Bind, Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Shri Alok Sharma, Shri Devusinh Chauhan, Shri Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1589

TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## FUNDS FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

1589.  SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN: SHRI PRATAP CHANDRA SARANGI: DR. VINOD KUMAR BIND: SHRI SUKANTA KUMAR PANIGRAHI: SHRI ALOK SHARMA:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  earmarked  enhanced  funds  for  agricultural  research, innovation and technology-driven farming in the current financial year across the country along with the priority themes identified especially for climate-vulnerable regions like Odisha and tribal districts such as Kandhamal;
- (b) whether any systematic review has been undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of existing  schemes  in  transferring  research  outputs  and  technological  solutions  to  farmers, including those in remote areas of Odisha;
- (c) if so, the key findings and major gaps highlighted by committees or expert groups;
- (d) the  measures  adopted  to  strengthen  coordination  among  ICAR  institutions,  State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and KVKs to improve field-level dissemination an implementation  of  innovation  in  the  country  including  Odisha  and  particularly  serving Kandhamal; and
- (e) whether new institutional or digital frameworks have been introduced to collaborate with agri-startups and innovators to facilitate the widespread adoption of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, genome editing and precision agriculture and 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): Yes, the government has enhanced Rs. 124.48 crore during 2025-26 over previous year to the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE)/ Indian Council of Agricultural

Research  (ICAR).  The  National  Agricultural  Research  and  Education  System  (NARES)  has developed  appropriate  technologies  for  climate  resilient  agriculture  including  specific  crop varieties for climatic vulnerabilities such as flood, drought and salt affected regions. Department has also developed District Contingency Plans (DACPs) for all the districts of Odisha.

(b) & (c): The periodic and systematic review of all ongoing plan schemes of the department are undertaken by the third-party agencies for performance outcomes as per Guidelines of the Government  of  India.  The  scheme  programs/activities  are  modified/  revised  based  on  the recommendations of the review reports to provide technological solutions to the farmers.

(d): The ICAR is the Nodal Agency for the NARES for the development and dissemination of scientific  agricultural  technology  to  the  farmers.  The  ICAR-  Research  Institutes,  Agricultural Universities & Colleges and  Krishi Vigyan Kendras  (KVKs)  are working together for development, testing & refinement, demonstration and transfer of technologies to the farmers. The monitoring and review are done regularly at National, Zonal, and University & district levels by  ICAR,  Agricultural  Technology  Application  Research  Institutes  (ATARIs),  Agricultural Universities  and  Scientific  Advisory  Committees  of  each  KVK.  There  are  08  ICAR-  Sate Coordination  Regional  committees  for  coordinating  research  and  extension  activities  in  the country including Odisha state.

(e): Yes, DARE-ICAR  has  been  collaborating  with  different  government  and  private organizations to facilitate the widespread adoption of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, genome editing and precision agriculture.

The  Network  Programme  on  Precision  Agriculture  (NePPA),  All  India  Coordinated Research Programmes (AICRP), National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) and KVKs are co-ordinating for technology development and dissemination for agricultural and allied sectors.

The  Department  has  established  Agribusiness  Incubation  Centres  (ABICs)  across various ICAR institutes, to nurture techno-entrepreneurs and agri-startups.

'Namo Drone Didi' Scheme of the government promotes technology driven farming with improved efficiency, enhanced crop yield & reduced cost of operation and to empower Self Help Groups (SHGs).

*******