Strengthening of Agricultural Research

NEW DELHI: 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)

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.

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.

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.

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.