Question : DRY LAND FARMING

(a) the number of agricultural scientists working at present with Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) and other Institutions being funded by the Government;

(b) the notable achievements made during the last one year by these scientists especially in the field of dry-land farming;

(c) whether the Government proposes to make changes in curriculum of agricultural universities to being about rapid advancement of technologies in the field of agriculture;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to bring scientists nearer to farmers for transfer of latest technologies to the farmers?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE & FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a) Presently 5365 Agricultural Scientists are working in different capacities in Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and its institutes including Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI).

(b) During last year, scientists developed several technologies in the field of water harvesting, resource conservation technologies, integrated water and nutrient management, micro-irrigation, Integrated Farming System models, including agroforestry interventions, efficient cropping systems etc. to enhance crop productivity in the country, including dry land areas. Besides, 100 district level contingency plans (total 500 completed) and agro- advisories have also been provided. Under National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA), about 25,000 farmers have been trained on climate resilient agricultural practices/technologies. Some other notable achievements and improved varieties/hybrids of major crops released during 2013-14 are given in Annexure-I & II.

(c) & (d): For quality assurance and maintenance of standard in higher agricultural education, the ICAR constitutes Deans’ Committee from time to time to look into the curricula aspects of Agricultural Universities, so that curricula are aligned with current needs of stakeholders and the society at large. So far, four Deans’ Committees have been constituted and the reports shared with the Agricultural Universities for implementation.

(e) The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has established 638 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in the Country for Technology Application through assessment, refinement and demonstrations of technology/products under different agro-ecosystems to facilitate faster adoption of technologies developed by the National Agricultural Research System of the country. The activities of KVKs include, on-farm trials to identify location specificity of technologies in various farming systems; frontline demonstrations to exhibit the production potential of technologies and training of farmers, farm women, rural youth and extension personnel to enhance their capabilities to take up various farm related activities. Popularization of various technologies is carried out through on- campus and off-campus activities like farmer’s days, kisan mela, kisan sangoshti, field days, group discussions, exposure visits and TV/Radio programmes. In addition to this, the Institutes participate in agricultural exhibitions (Regional, National and International level) to showcase their technologies to farmers and other stakeholders.