(a) whether India and Sri Lanka recently made agreements together to accelerate closer collaborative efforts for development of agricultural research and education;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the extent to which the Government is likely to be benefited by such agreements?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
(a) Yes, Sir. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has signed a Work Plan with the Sri Lanka Council of Agricultural Research & Policy (CARP), Sri Lanka on 26th January, 2006 at Colombo, Sri Lanka.
(b) The Work Plan is valid for 2006-2007 and includes exchange visits of scientists, short term/long term trainings (M.Sc./Ph.D) for Sri Lankan nationals in various State Agricultural Universities/ICAR institutes. Besides the Work Plan also has the provision for Collaborative Research Projects, exchange of germplasm from both sides and visit of Indian consultants to Sri Lanka for providing technical and scientific advice in agreed areas.
(c) The ICAR is being benefited through exchange visits of scientists to harness the strengths and capabilities of Sri Lanka in specific areas of agricultural research. Through exchange of germplasm, specific traits of fruits, vegetables, cereals, pulses and oilseeds crops are being utilized in Indian crop improvement programmes.