Question : ROLE OF AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITIES

(a) whether the Union government has assessed in consultation with the States the role of agricultural universities in the field of development of seeds, variety of fruits and vegetables;

(b) whether there is any deficiency in transferring new technology development by these universities to the farmers that is from lab to land;

(c) whether the said agricultural universities have been playing the role of organic certification without imposing any hurdles to the farmers; and

(d) the details of guidelines given by the Government to the said agricultural universities for product technology, standardization of cooking methods, development of instant rice and pest resistant crops etc.?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI HARISH RAWAT)

(a) In order to enhance the productivity of major crops in the country, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has taken up crop improvement research programmes of Wheat, Rice, Maize, Sorghum, Millets, Oilseeds, Pulses, Cotton, forage Crops, Sugarcane and Jute through interdisciplinary approaches in conjunction with State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) through All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs). Horticultural crops are covered by the AICRPs on Tropical & Sub-tropical fruits, tuber crops, vegetable crops. These research programmes, in conjunction with SAUs include basic and strategic research related to crop improvement, production and production technologies. These issues are also discussed in Regional Committee meetings, where state governments and state agricultural universities are also invited.

Seed production programmes, including breeder seed, are also a collaborative effort between ICAR and State Agriculture Universities.

(b) The ICAR has established 594 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) till date in the country. Out of this 593 KVKs are functioning. The KVKs aim to assessment, refinement and demonstration of technology/products. The activities include on-farm testing to identify the location specificity of agricultural technologies under various farming systems, frontline demonstration to establish the potentials of improved agricultural technologies on the farmers fields, and training of farmers including farm women and extension personnel to update their knowledge and skills.

In addition, the Centrally sponsored scheme ‘Support to State Extension Programme for Extension Reforms’ popularly known as Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) scheme is under implementation in 603 districts of 28 states & 3 union territories of the country.

(c) No such case has come to the notice of Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

(d) ICAR through its institutes and AICRPs on crops have developed guidelines and protocols for research in respect of insect pest and disease resistance in crop plants, quality attributes of crop commodities, the culinary properties of food crops, besides adaptability to different agro-ecological zones of the country. These guidelines are reviewed in the annual group meeting/workshops of AICRPs, wherein ICAR officials, SAUs scientists, State Department officials and other stake holders participate and offer their views. The feedback on the prevailing methodologies adopted is reviewed, besides finalizing research protocols to tackle emerging issues and overcoming constraints. This provides a continuous platform for development of newer pest resistant crops with novel traits.