Question : Development of New Technology

(a) whether it is a fact that Indian agriculture is not getting benefited from new technology developed through research and new experiments being carried out by Agricultural Universities;

(b) if so, the reasons therefor;

(c) the process being adopted by the Government to make the said technology and research useful for Indian agriculture;

(d) whether the said process has ever been reviewed and if so, the outcome thereof; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to promote implementation of new technology in farming sector?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
(SHRI S.S. AHLUWALIA)

(a) to (e): No, Madam. The Indian Agriculture is getting benefited from new technologies developed through research and new experiments carried out by National Agricultural Research and Education System (NARES) comprising Agricultural Universities (AUs) and Research Institutes. For this purpose, Government has taken various steps across the country including setting up of 657 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and 652 Agricultural Technology Management Agencies (ATMAs) at district level for dissemination of technologies among farm community. Out of 657 KVKs, 443 KVKs are managed by the State Agricultural Universities/Central Agricultural Universities. In addition, the farmers are provided information through Focused Publicity Campaigns, Kisan Call Centres (KCCs), Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres (ACABC) of entrepreneurs, Agri Fairs and exhibitions, Kisan SMS Portal , DD Kisan TV Channel and Radio Stations.

There is a process of periodical reviews including Annual Reviews, Quinquennial Review; accreditation of courses of AUs and Institutes. In case of frontline extension system i.e. KVKs, the process is reviewed every year by holding of Scientific Advisory Committee meetings; Annual Zonal Workshops; mid-term review workshops; Activity Specific Training-cum-Workshops; Annual National Conference; and visits to KVKs by the Officers of Agricultural Technology Application Research Institutes (ATARIs), Directorates of Extension Education of Agricultural Universities and ICAR Headquarters. The outcome of review activities undertaken includes development and execution of improved and need based annual action plans; compilation of technology inventories, preparation of technology manuals, books, bulletins and extension literature in print and electronic form ; development and organization of programmes for capacity building and technology backstopping; human resource development and knowledge empowerment; and sharing of innovative models and experiences of technology application mechanisms.

Besides, assistance to State Governments is provided for boosting the agriculture production under various schemes of Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmer Welfare (DAC&FW) viz. National Mission of Agricultural Extension and Technology (NMAET), Parampragat Krishi Vikas Yojana, Mission of Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), Integrated Scheme on Agriculture Cooperation (ISAC), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP), National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Soil Health Card Scheme (SHC), Agriculture Technology Infrastructure Fund (ATIF) and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana(PMKSY).

In addition to generation of new technologies, the large network of ICAR Institutes and Agricultural Universities across the country also provides information to farmers regarding techniques and best practices for getting higher production through various outreach and extension education programmes.

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