Question : ICAR Project

(a) whether the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) project will be implemented in 25 districts (one district from each State) through the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and each KVK will involve about 200 youths below the age of 35, if so, the details thereof; and

(b) whether it is also a fact that the Government had made B.Sc. Agriculture a mandatory qualification to get licence for sale of agriculture inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and pesticides and this will create several thousand jobs for agriculture graduates, if so, the details and the present status thereof?

(a) Yes Sir, Realizing the importance of rural youth in agricultural development, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research has initiated a program called “Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture” (ARYA) during the XII plan. Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture (ARYA) project is being implemented in 25 States through KVKs, one district from each State. Depending upon the type of enterprise, individual or group-based activities/enterprises are being encouraged. In one district, about 100-200 rural youths are identified for their skill development in entrepreneurial activities and establishment of related micro-enterprise units in the different areas of enterprises in agriculture. This provides additional opportunities to the unemployed rural youth in primary and secondary agriculture and related enterprises.

To strengthen it further, during the year 2018-19, the ARYA project was extended to additional 71 KVKs. Under the project, upto 2018-19, 12783 youth in various groups have been oriented for establishing micro-entrepreneurial units.

(b) Yes. As per Insecticides Rules, 1971; Person who applies for the grant of license to sell, stock or exhibit for sale or distribute insecticides shall possess or employ a person possessing a graduate degree in Agricultural Sciences or Biochemistry or Biotechnology or Life Sciences or in Science with Chemistry or Botany or Zoology from a recognized university or Institute; Or


One-year diploma course in Agriculture or Horticulture or related subjects from any government recognized university or institute with course content on plant protection and pesticides management:

Provided that all retailers or dealers possessing a valid license without the prescribed qualification as on the date of publication of these rules as amended by The Insecticides (Second Amendment) Rules, 2017 shall be allowed a period of two years to comply with the said qualifications:

If the existing licensee of pesticide dealers, who are more than forty-five years of age and who have been running their trade either themselves or have inherited with cumulative period of experience of more than ten years as on the date of publication of these rules as amended by The Insecticides (Second Amendment) Rules, 2017 and the annual turnover is less than Rs. Five lakh are exempted from the aforesaid rule for a period of license ship continuing in their name.

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