The Ministry of Agriculture has said that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed a total 838 high yielding and trait specific field crop varieties, of which 578 are climate resilient, 41 short duration and 47 bio-fortified varieties in the last three year. Besides, India has developed only 63 Integrated Farming System (IFS) in 18 States so far and these models are suitable to 26 States and Union Territories and have the potential to increase the income of farmers by 2 to 3 times or more vis a vis existing systems/practices in a period of 3 to 4 years. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) 345 varieties of different crops were developed in 2020.
In a reply to the Lok Sabha, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said that ICAR has developed a total 838 high yielding and trait specific field crop varieties, of which 578 are climate resilient, 41 short duration and 47 biofortified varieties in the last three year. “A total 77 machines and processing equipment were developed to promote mechanisation of small farms & reduce postharvest losses. Total 101 technologies for processing and on farm value addition were also developed. In fisheries, ICAR developed breeding and seed production technologies of 9 food fishes and 12 ornamental fishes, demonstrated cage culture in reservoirs and open sea, developed several cost-effective feeds for fish and shell fish,” he said.
Interestingly, the public spending on agriculture research and educationin India is only 0.62 percent of its total gross domestic products. The Centre has proposed Rs 8513.62 crore for agriculture research and education in the budget 2021-22 as compared to Rs 7762.38 crore revised budget allocation for the year 2020-21. Of the total budget, Rs 968.00 allocated for crop sciences.
Replying to a question asked by Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Kumar Gupta Tomar said ICAR has developed 63 integrated farming systems with the participation of farmers in 18 States.
“Most of the IFS models have the demonstrated potential of increasing the farmers’ income by 2-3 times or more and have been included in State Plans by Government of Bihar, Karnataka, Kerala, Jammu & Kashmir and Tamil Nadu for up-scaling. As many as 31 bankable projects suitable for 22 states have also been prepared by ICAR for supporting through medium and short-term credit for scaling up through schemes of States and Central Government,” Tomar said.
According to the agriculture ministry, 31 bankable projects suitable for 22 states have also been prepared by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for supporting through medium and short-term credit for scaling up through schemes of States and Central Government. Tomar further stated that at least 18 IFS models, 14 bankable projects on IFS and organic farming packages for 22 cropping systems were developed during last three years.
Total foodgrain production in the country is estimated to be a record 291.95 million tonnes, according to the second advance estimates for 2019-20.
In reply to another question, the minister said that ICAR has also developed 51 organic cropping systems suitable for adoption in 12 States.