(a) whether the Government is considering to launch any incentive scheme for bringing every agricultural research institution in the country on par with international institutions;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTILAL BHURIA)
(a)&(b): Several efforts have been initiated over the years to bring about an elevation of standards in the level of agricultural research, development of institutions at par with international standards, like perspective planning, all-round strengthening of research facilities for overall development, human resource development and training, awards for recognition of individual merit and modernization of systems and infrastructure. There is also a specific scheme for incentives to individual scientists and institutions. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has instituted 89 Awards including 40 annual and 49 biennial, to recognize and reward the performance of its institutions, scientists and even farmers and a journalist. The list of these awards is given at Annexure-I. In addition, the deserving scientists are provided opportunities for training and/or collaborative research in frontier areas at select national and international institutions, and for participation in national and international conferences for their skill up-gradation and confidence enhancement through interaction. Short term specific research and development schemes under the Agricultural Produce Cess Fund of ICAR and the World Bank funded National Agricultural Technology Project were also awarded/approved to the deserving scientists which help them in their focussed activities and commensurate infrastructure and facilities have been provided to raise the level of research and institutions.
(c) Does not arise.
Annexure - I
DETAILS OF ICAR AWARDS S. No. Name of Award Whether Annual No.of Amount of Total Amount of Or Biennial Awards Award Award (Rs. (Rs. in lakhs) in lakhs)
1. Sardar Patel Outstanding Annual 3 5.00 15.00 ICAR Institution Award
2. Chaudhary Devi Lal Annual 1 1.00 1.00 Outstanding All-India Co-ordinated Research Project Award
3. Jawaharlal Nehru Award Annual 18 0.20 3.60 for Outstanding Post- graduate Agricultural Research
4. Panjabrao Deshmukh Woman Annual 2 0.50 1.00 Agricultural Scientist Award
5. Vasantarao Naik Award Annual 1 1.00 1.00 for Research Applications in Dryland Agriculture 6. Jagjivan Ram Kisan Annual 2 1.00 2.00 Puruskar
7 N.G. Ranga Farmer Award Annual 1 1.00 1.00 for Diversified Agriculture
8. Choudhary Charan Singh Annual 1 1.00 1.00 Award for Excellence in Journalism in Agricultural Research and Development
9. Dr. Rajendra Prasad Annual 9 0.50 4.50 Puruskar for Technical Books in Hindi in the field of Agriculture and Allied Sciences 10. ICAR Best Annual Report Annual 2 Award 11. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Biennial 2 0.50 1.00 Award for Outstanding Agricultural Research in Tribal Areas 12. ICAR Awards for Biennial 9 1.00 9.00 Outstanding Multi- disciplinary Team Research in Agriculture and Allied Sciences 13. Bharat Ratna Dr. C. Biennial 9 0.50 4.50 Subramaniam Award for the Outstanding Teachers 14. Best Krishi Vigyan Biennial 2 0.50 1.00 Kendra Awards 15. Lal Bahadur Shastri Biennial 10 0.25 2.50 Young Scientist Award 16. Hari Om Ashram Trust Biennial 4 0.40 1.60 Award
17. Swami Sahajanand Biennial 4 0.25 1.00 Saraswati Extension Scientist/Worker Award 18. Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award Biennial 9 1.00 9.00
T0TAL 89 59.70