GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

LOK SABHA 

UNSTARREDQUESTION NO: 798

ANSWERED ON: 10.12.2013 

BENEFITS OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

Will the Minister of  AGRICULTURE be pleased to state:  

(a) whether many agricultural researches have been conducted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research over the years in the public sector of the country; 

 (b) if so, whether it is a fact that the benefit of these research has not reached the farmers of the country; 

 (c) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; and 

 (d) the steps taken by the Government to remove the lacuna?

ANSWER

(a) Yes, Madam. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) conducts research in the areas of Crop improvement/production and protection, Horticultural crops, Natural Resources Management, Animal production and health, Fisheries and Agricultural Engineering for generating technologies to enhance productivity and production in the agriculture and allied sectors.   

(b) No, Madam. Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) system established across the country is conducting On Farm Trials, frontline demonstrations and training programmes to the farmers, rural youth and extension functionaries for the purpose of technology application in the farmers’ field and also providing technology backstopping to the extension system in the country.   Reaching the benefits of research to farmers has enabled increasing food production from 55 million tonnes during mid sixties to 255.36 million tonnes during 2012-13. 

 (c) Not applicable. 

 (d) Not applicable.