Question : COMPREHENSIVE CHANGES IN RESEARCH WORK

(a) whether Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has proposed comprehensive changes in research work keeping in view the dictates of WTO; and

(b) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)

(a) Yes, Sir. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has indeed taken into account imperatives for agricultural research on accounts of the WTO provisions and recorded the same in its Vision Document namely; `Vision 2020`.

(b) As the creation of WTO is a major watershed for international trade in agriculture, the Council has recognized the fact that the agricultural scenario all over the world is undergoing a change on account of the WTO provisions and emphasized that the WTO provisions should be taken into account in the area of research prioritization. The Vision 2020 has also recorded the fact that greater efficiency in production holds the key for the country`s success in global market. Developing and disseminating cost effective production technologies will play a critical role in maintaining and improving competitiveness of Indian agriculture. Further, development and utilization of wide range of market intelligence should receive attention in research priority setting. Research on quality and form of produce would need to be strengthened. Establishment of referral laboratories for quality testing will need attention. Similarly environment friendly packaging and transportation will form a priority. Ways and means to counter non-tariff barriers should also be a matter of immediate concern. These are the areas which have been highlighted in the Vision 2020 document of the ICAR in the context of WTO and all the concerned Institutes, National Research Centres and Project Directorates of ICAR have been exhorted to incorporate the above objectives in their research strategy.