Lok Sabha Question No. 3657 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-11
Subject: Strengthening of Agricultural Research
Ministry: AGRICULTURE
Asked by: ANANDRAO  ADSUL, ANIL SHIROLE, PR. SENTHILNATHAN, Shrirang Appa Barne, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, DHARMENDRA YADAV

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

#### 1 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION

**LOK SABHA**

#### 2 UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3657

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11/08/2015

**STRENGTHENING OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH**

3657.	SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

SHRI ANIL SHIROLE:

SHRI PR. SENTHIL NATHAN:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE **d`f"k ea=h**

be pleased to state:

(a)	whether it is a fact that the Government proposes to strengthen agricultural research putting renewed emphasis to shore-up farm revenue;

(b)	if so, the details thereof indicating fund allocated therefor;

(c)	whether the said research project would also be re-oriented to the market-driven WTO regime, which our farmers are required to adopt gradually in a foreseeable future to improve their competitiveness in the international market and if so, the details thereof;

(d)	whether any other agency other than the Indian Council of Agricultural Research

(ICAR) would also be involved so as to get better exposure for meeting the twin objectives of food self-sufficiency and boosting income for a market-driven scenario, if so, the details thereof; and

(e)	whether the Government is considering to shift the focus of research from a commodity based approach to a farming systems, if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

**A N S W E R**

### 1 

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

**d`f”k ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h**

**(DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)**

**…..2/-**

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(a)	Yes, Madam.

(b)	Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE) /Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is geared to strengthen, agricultural research in the country putting emphasis on increasing production,  productivity and resource use efficiency in agriculture sector to shore up farm revenue. Several region specific technologies have been developed and introduced by institutes of ICAR and centers of All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs) located at different State agricultural Universities (SAUs) to achieve sustainable enhanced productivity and profitability of different farming systems to shore-up the farm revenue.  The details of funds during last 3 years is given below:

(Rs. in crore)

| **Year**   |   **Budget Estimates** |   **Revised Estimates (allocation)** |
|------------|------------------------|--------------------------------------|
| 2012-13    |                3220.00 |                              2520.00 |
| 2013-14    |                2415.00 |                              2600.00 |
| 2014-15    |                3715.00 |                              2500.00 |

(c)	The National Agricultural Research and Education System (NARES) under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) comprising of a network of 100 research institutes, 73 Agricultural Universities and 642 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) is geared to meet the challenge of Indian agriculture under new WTO regime, enhance the competitiveness of Indian farming to make farming a viable, self-sustaining and internationally competitive enterprise. The efforts initiated towards re-orientation of R&D system by ICAR which include development of quality human resource through quality agricultural education, need-based training in India and abroad, harnessing ICT in  agriculture development, strengthening social science skills, promoting public-private sector partnership, strengthening policy analysis and vision-oriented market-led intelligence analysis skills, strengthening agri-business development and IPR management. Further, research and development efforts are focused on high value processed products, linking production with processing and marketing with focus on small and marginal farmers and farm workers, establishment of quality testing/ referral labs, developing high yielding varieties combining with high protein content and other characteristics demanded by the importing countries.

(d)	ICAR works in close collaboration with various other departments and institutes engaged in research and/or development in agriculture sector. The Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Govt. of India, Department of Animal Husbandry Dairy and Fisheries and Ministry of Food processing Industries are also partnering with ICAR towards meeting the twin objectives of food self-sufficiency and boosting income for a market-driven scenario. The list of the departments/agencies along with institutes is given in **Annexure-1.**

…..3/-

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In addition, ICAR is also partnering with the international agencies and institutes including CGIAR institutions in frontier areas of research to ascertain greater dividends to Indian agriculture.

(e)	ICAR is committed to solving the existing problems of Indian agriculture and enhancing agricultural production and productivity in the country through science-led and technology-driven farming systems approach rather than commodity based approach.

The ICAR is giving a special thrust on integrated farming systems, conservation agriculture, climate resilient agriculture, abiotic stress management, solid waste management, and improving water and nutrient use efficiencies. In order to ensure site-specific balance fertilization and thereby improving soil health and crop productivity in the country. Considering the present scenario of climate change, the resources like soil, water, biodiversity etc. are likely to be under much more stress.  A number of technological, institutional and policy interventions including development of suitable crop varieties and natural resource management practices such as efficient agriculture, research programmes on increasing water productivity, nutrient use efficiency, improving soil health, minimization of soil and environment pollutants, access to mechanization, post-harvest management, value addition and food safety are given more focus.

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**Annexure-1**

**[Part (d) to Lok Sabha USQ No.3657 for 11/08/2015]**

**The other departments / agencies involved with ICAR for meeting the objectives of food self-sufficiency and boosting income.**

1. **Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Govt. of India**

1. [Directorates of rice, wheat, pulses , oilseeds, millets and sugarcane development](http://drd.dacnet.nic.in/)
2. [Directorates of Marketing and Inspection](http://agricoop.nic.in/imagedefault/agriculturemarketing/attachedoffice.doc) and [Economics & Statistics](http://eands.dacnet.nic.in/)

[Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP)](http://cacp.dacnet.nic.in/) and [Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre](http://www.ncfc.gov.in/)

1. [Central fertilizer Quality Control and Training Institute, Faridabad.](http://cfqcti.dacnet.nic.in/)
2. [National Centre of Organic Farming , Ghaziabad](http://ncof.dacnet.nic.in/)
3. [Central Integrated Pest Management Centres](http://agricoop.nic.in/imagedefault/CENTRAL%20INTEGRATED%20PEST%20MANAGEMENT%20CENTRES.doc)
4. [National Seed Research and Training Centre](http://nsrtc.nic.in/)
        - 4.1.2. **Ministry of food processing industries, Govt. of India**

1. National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management
2. National Mission on Food Processing, horticulture and milk production

- 0.1.1. **Department of Animal Husbandry Dairying and Fisheries**

1. National Livestock Mission
2. National Project for Cattle and Buffalo Breeding
3. [National Institute of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology and Training (NIFPHATT), Cochin](http://www.ifpkochi.nic.in/) .
4. [National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad](http://nfdb.gov.in/)

4.	National Dairy Development Board

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