(a): whether the Government has earmarked investment for Research and Development in Agro Sector;
(b): if so, the details thereof; and
(c): the steps taken for development of rural technologies?
(a): whether the Government has earmarked investment for Research and Development in Agro Sector;
(b): if so, the details thereof; and
(c): the steps taken for development of rural technologies?
MINISTER OF SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES & AGRO AND RURAL INDUSTRIES ( SHRI MAHABIR PRASAD )
(a)&(b): Yes, Sir. Government has provided grants of Rs. 11.44
crore to the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) and
Rs. 13.50 crore to the Coir Board during the Tenth Plan period
(upto 2004-05) for research and development activities in the agro
sector, including coir.
(c): For development of new and upgradation of existing rural
technologies in thirteen village industry sectors, the KVIC has
entered into technical agreements with national level technology
institutes like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT),
National Institute of Technology (NIT), etc. In addition, the
Khadi Gramodyog Prayog Samiti, Ahmedabad, an institution which is
registered with the KVIC, develops tools and implements and
improved technologies for adoption by khadi institutions and
artisans. Similarly, the Coir Board is engaged in modernization of
technologies relating to fibre extraction, spinning, product
manufacturing, etc., as part of its research and development
activities. Towards modernization of the coir sector, the
traditional ratt has been motorized, leading to improved
productivity, quality improvement and enhancement of wages of the
coir spinners. The Coir Board has also developed a mild steel
compact handloom, called `Anugraha`for women to weave
mattings/geotextiles. Conversion of coir pith into organic manure,
using `pith plus` is another technology, which has been
popularized in the rural areas through field demonstrations.