(a) whether the Indian Council of Agricultural Research is conducting research in the use of saline water for agriculture;
(b) if so, whether the Government proposes to implement the technology transfer programme on utilisation of saline water in lakhs of hectare of desert area of Rajasthan;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government proposes to open research and promotion centre in Churu area of Rajasthan and if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)
(a) Yes, Madam. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) through Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal and All India Coordinated Research Project on Management of Salt Affected Soils and Use of Saline Water in Agriculture is conducting research in the use of saline water for agriculture.
(b) & (c): Yes, Madam. The ICAR is advocating conjunctive use of saline water along with fresh water and cultivation of salt tolerant crops/ cultivars in Rajasthan. The AICRP centre at Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University (SKRAU), Bikaner has developed and published package of practices for adoption by the farming community in three desert districts of Rajasthan, namely, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Churu.
(d) No, Madam. The AICRP centre at SKRAU, Bikaner is addressing the issues of Churu area of Rajasthan in this regard.