(a) whether the Government have formulated any scheme to promote specific area
crop varieties in various States of the country;
(b) if so, the salient features thereof;
(c) whether any financial assistance has been made available to each State for
implementation of this scheme; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE(SHRI SHRIPAD Y. NAIK)
(a)to(d): Yes Sir. The Indian Council for Agricultural Research has designed and
developed All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRP) for coordinating and
developing location specific crop varieties and technologies for increasing the
productivity and production of all important crops namely Wheat, Rice, Pulses,
Oilseeds, millets and commercial/cash crops. The above projects are implemented
through State Agricultural Universities including National Research Institutes, National
Research Centres, Project Directorate of different crops etc. The varieties and
technologies so developed are tested at diverse agro-climatic condition before
recommending for adoption under specific location.
In addition, in order to promote area specific crop varieties, the Seed Minikit
programme in respect of Rice, Wheat, Coarse Cereals, Pulses and Oilseeds are being
implemented in various states of the country. Under the programme, pre-
released/recently released location specific High Yielding Improved varieties of these
crops are demonstrated to popularize their cultivation among the farmers.
A sum of Rs.696 lakh (at RE level) for Seed Minikit Programme of Rice, Wheat
and Coarse Cereals has been provided for 2000-2001. The Seed Minikit of Pulses and
Oilseeds are covered under Centrally Sponsored schemes National Pulses
Development Project and Oilseeds Production Programme, respectively. The minikits of
Pulses and Oilseeds are being supplied through central agencies to the different states
as per their requirement. A sum of Rs.800 lakh has been allocated for implementation
of this programme during 2000-2001.