Question : Functioning of ICAR

(a) the details of various research activities and the number of research projects carried out at institutions of Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR);

(b) the details of the allocation and utilisation of funds for the ICAR during the last three years, year and project-wise;

(c) the details of the number of student/fellows/scholars and degrees offered; and

(d) whether various posts are lying vacant at ICAR including Bihar, if so, the details thereof including the time since when these are lying vacant along with the reasons therefor and the measures taken by the Government to fill them?

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
(SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)


(a) ICAR has a network of 103 Research Institutes, 11 Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARIs); 59 All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs) and 25 Network projects mandated to plan, undertake, coordinate and promote research and technology development for sustainable agriculture. ICAR institutes are conducting research for addressing the current and future challenges through development and scaling up location specific, cost effective, eco-friendly, climate resilient technologies to enhance agricultural production, productivity and profitability in the country.

Besides developing high producing, nutrient fortified and climate resilient varieties & technologies of various field and horticultural crops, ICAR institutes focus on the development of new breeds/ strains of livestock & poultry, new production technologies for inland and marine fish production, development of vaccines and diagnostic kits for livestock, poultry and fish species and development of farm implements and machines suitable for farmers under Indian conditions besides developing new innovative extension tools & techniques for taking these technologies to farmers/end users. The varieties and technologies developed by ICAR have played crucial role in increasing the crop/ livestock/ fish production and productivity of the country.

The list of research schemes wherein projects are subsumed is given in Annexure-I together with the funding details.

(b) The allocation and utilization of funds under various research schemes for ICAR was Rs. 2166.46 and 1878.14 crore during 2017-18, Rs. 2508.43 and 2439.44 during 2018-19 respectively. The allocation under schemes for 2019-20 is Rs. 2699.00 crore. The project wise details are also given in Annexure-I.

(c) Details are given in Annexure-II.

(d) A total of 1365 (20.86%) positions of scientists at research institutes, including Bihar are vacant at present. DARE/ICAR has taken concerted efforts for filling up of vacant posts of agricultural scientists. Following the approval of Union Cabinet for restructuring Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB) in August, 2018, a full strength ASRB is now in position.


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