Context:
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) will launch its ‘One Scientist-One Product’ programme on July 16 to improve research in the field of agriculture and animal husbandry.
Relevance:
GS II: Government policies and Interventions
Dimensions of the Article:
- News Summary
- About Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
News Summary
- ICAR’s “One Scientist-One Product” Program Launch
- The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) will launch its “One Scientist-One Product” program on July 16 to boost agricultural and animal husbandry research.
- This initiative coincides with ICAR’s 96th foundation day and will feature the release of 323 varieties across 56 crops, including climate-resilient and bio-fortified types, during an event in Delhi.
- Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will inaugurate the program.
- Overview of “One Scientist-One Product” Program
- ICAR’s Director-General, Himanshu Pathak, outlines that each of ICAR’s 5,521 scientists will develop a unique product, technology, model, concept, or publication.
- Projects will be selected annually, monitored quarterly at the institute level, and biannually at the headquarters.
- The program will span five years, initially focusing on high-yielding oilseeds and pulses.
- ICAR’s Initiative on High-Yielding Seeds
- ICAR plans to develop 100 new seed varieties and 100 farm technologies within 100 days under the Centre’s action plan.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to launch these initiatives by mid-September.
- Breeder seeds have facilitated the cultivation of approximately 16 million hectares with bio-fortified crops like wheat, rice, pearl millet, lentil, and mustard in 2023-24.
- Since 2014-15, ICAR has released 2,593 high-yielding varieties, significantly enhancing production resilience during challenging agricultural conditions.
About Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
- Establishment and Structure
- Established: 1929 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
- Autonomous Organization: Operates under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
- Headquarters: New Delhi.
Role and Functions
- Coordination and Management: Serves as the apex body for coordinating, guiding, and managing research and education in agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, and animal sciences across India.
- Research and Development:
- Conducts and promotes research in various agricultural fields, including crop science, animal science, horticulture, fisheries, natural resource management, and agricultural engineering.
- Develops new technologies, practices, and innovations to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability.
- Education and Capacity Building:
- Oversees agricultural education through a network of agricultural universities and colleges to ensure high standards.
- Provides training and capacity-building programs for farmers, extension workers, and scientists to disseminate knowledge and skills.
- Policy Advisory Role:
- Advises the government on agriculture-related policy matters, food security, and rural development.
- Supports the formulation of national agricultural policies and strategies.
- Extension Services:
- Implements extension programs to transfer technology from research labs to the fields.
- Collaborates with state agricultural universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and other extension agencies to provide farmers with timely information and assistance.
- Natural Resource Management:
- Focuses on conservation and sustainable management of natural resources such as soil, water, and biodiversity.
- Develops and promotes practices that enhance resource-use efficiency and environmental sustainability.
-Source: Indian Express
