Lok Sabha Question No. 1814 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Research Agenda of the 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. 1814

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## RESEARCH AGENDA OF THE ICAR

## 1814.  SHRI PARSHOTTAMBHAI RUPALA:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to constitute a high-powered committee of eminent agricultural  scientists,  technocrats  and  policy  experts  to  review,  restructure  and  modernise ICAR's research agenda, governance and field -level impact;
- (b) whether ICAR has formally obtained State-wise feedback from State Governments on regionspecific constraints, crop failures, climate risks and farmers' unresolved problems;
- (c) the  roadmap  adopted  by  ICAR  to  undertake  decentralised,  location-specific  research aligned with each State's agro -climatic, soil and geophysical conditions;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to introduce a statutory accountability framework to ensure transparency, measurable outcomes and farmer-responsive research within ICAR; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Government, from time to time, constitutes high-power committees comprising distinguished agricultural technocrats and other experts to review the research programmes and initiatives  of  the  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  and  to  suggest  ways  for enhancing research output of the ICAR. Notable among these are: Dr G.V.K. Rao Committee (1988),  Dr  Johl  Committee  (1995),  Mashelkar  Committee  (2005)  and  Dr  T.  Ramasami Committee  (2017)  which  have  suggested  ways  for  strengthening  inter-institutional  linkages, functional autonomy in research-related matters, improving the research base, strengthening the ICAR -industry interface and farmers out-reach for further strengthening the organization. Last such committee was constituted in 2017 under the chairmanship of Dr Deepak Pental to undertake an outcome-based review of various ICAR schemes implemented during the XII FiveYear Plan period.

(b): ICAR  takes  the  stock  of  various  researchable  issue  of  the  states  through  regional committee meetings, which are attended by the State Agricultural Departments of the region. Field-level  issues/problems  were  identified  through  participatory  farmer-scientist  interactions, focused group discussions, on-field observations, and inputs from extension personnel during Viksit  Krishi  Sankalp  Abhiyan  (VKSA)  organized  from  29  May  to  12  June  2025  across  the country.  ICAR  has  identified  'One  Team -One  Task'  programm e  to  address  the  broad researchable issues. Crop specific consultation with stakeholders have also been organised covering pulses, cotton, soybean, and sugarcane. Since agriculture is the State Subject, ICAR supports State Governments in the development and demonstration of location specific and improved agricultural technologies through its institutes, Agricultural Technology Applications Research  Institutes (ATATRIs), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and State Agricultural Universities  (SAUs).  The  731  KVKs  spread  all  over  the  country  are  serving  as  the  district Agricultural Technology Knowledge Centres for demonstration, dissemination and refinement of scientific technology suitable for farmers and other stake holders of the district or location.

(c): The ICAR conducts research specific to the local climatic and geophysical conditions for suitability of technologies in various agro-ecological zones, soil types, climatic type, and crop suitability, allowing for region-specific research and technology development. ICAR collaborates with SAUs through All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs) for addressing localized researchable issues.  The ICAR also promotes climate-resilient agriculture through development of  drought-resistant  crop  varieties,  efficient  water  management  practices,  and  sustainable farming techniques suitable to local climatic stresses. At district-level, KVKs provide training, frontline demonstrations, on-farm trials and location-specific technological backstopping.

(d) & (e): ICAR a nearly century-old institution, has evolved into one of the world's largest networks  of  agricultural  research,  education  and  extension.  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. The Council has established a mechanism of scientific audit protocol for research activities, wherein the research programs/ activities of all ICAR institutes undergo annual monitoring by the Research Advisory Council (RAC) and a comprehensive evaluation every  five  years  by  the  Quinquennial  Review  Team  (QRT).  These  committees,  assess institutional progress and provide guidance on future research directions. Besides, the Institute Research Committee (IRC), oversees the planning, execution, and periodic review of in-house research  projects. All  these  evaluations  are  for  assessing  the  scientific  output,  institutional governance, and financial efficiency. In addition, the Government, from time to time, undertakes external  evaluations  of  ICAR's  schemes/  programs  to  assess  the  impact  of  its  research programmes and to recommend measures for improving research efficiency, effectiveness and responsiveness to the needs of farmers. The recent such evaluation was undertaken during 2020 -21, covering ICAR schemes implemented during the period of 2017 -2020.

********