Question : BOOSTING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION



(a) whether the Government has any plan to rope in the private sector and international agencies involved in the food research and methods to boost agriculture yield in the country; and

(b) if so, the details thereof?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a) Yes, Madam. ICAR has developed partnerships with Private Sector as well as International Organizations to boost agriculture yield in the country.

(b) ICAR has 29 projects in collaboration with International Organizations to develop high yielding and traits specific varieties in different crops. ICAR is signing MoUs, from time to time, with Private Companies for production of breeder and truthfully labeled seeds of high yielding varieties and hybrids in different crops to make seed available to the farmers in time. Since 2005 ICAR institutions have signed about 45 MoUs with private seed companies to produce seeds of important ICAR varieties for farmers. Some of the technologies developed by ICAR in different crop commodities are also being commercialized through partnership with Private Sector.