News Highlight
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) felicitates stakeholders to register livestock breeds.
Key Takeaway
- The Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister remarked that the country has many indigenous livestock breeds that must be identified in all regions.
- Additionally, this will assist in making the Agricultural and Animal Husbandry sector prosperous.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
- Overview
- ICAR is an autonomous organisation within the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare‘s Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE).
- In addition, it was founded on July 16, 1929.
- ICAR, headquartered in New Delhi, operates 101 institutes and 71 agricultural universities nationwide.
- The Indian Council of Agricultural Research is the country’s primary agency for coordinating, supervising, and managing agricultural research and education, encompassing horticulture, fisheries, and animal sciences.
- The Union Minister of Agriculture is the ICAR Society’s ex-officio President.
- Furthermore, the ‘ICAR Vision 2050′ provides the strategic framework for the country’s equitable and sustainable agricultural growth through innovation.
Key initiatives of ICAR
- Farmers Innovation Fund
- ICAR is preparing to launch a system to scientifically test, scale up, and disseminate progressive farmer inventions.
- Furthermore, the concept aims to connect farmers and to farm with research and inspire farmers to innovate.
- Organic Farming
- ICAR has created 45 different organic farming models suitable for diverse agro-climatic areas.
- As well as 51 integrated farming systems that can help farmers boost their revenue.
- Nano fertilisers and Nano pesticides
- To enhance organic farming and reduce the usage of pesticides and fertilisers, ICAR is creating nano fertilisers and nano insecticides.
- Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture (Arya)
- Arya is another programme launched to boost the rural bio-economy and attract youngsters to agriculture.
- Farmers’ Science Congress
- It was introduced in 2020 for the first time in the Indian Science Congress’s 107-year history.
- Furthermore, it emphasises agricultural innovations’ relevance and scientific validity.
Role Played By ICAR for Agriculture
- The ICAR was a pioneer in bringing in the Green Revolution.
- In addition, it has played a significant role in encouraging excellence in agricultural higher education.
- ICAR research and technology development has boosted foodgrain production by 5.6 times, horticulture crop production by 10.5 times, fish by 16.8 times, milk by 10.4 times, and egg by 52.9 times.
Way Forward
- Integrated farming, as well as organic and natural farming methods, should be promoted.
- Creating a new synergy between science and education to contribute sensibly to nation-building.
- More emphasis should be placed on research for the fisheries sector. ICAR, like the Soil Health Cards (SHC), can provide a mechanism that informs fish farmers on the state of fishing in certain ocean blocks.
- Under the paradigm of ‘Kisan Saarathi,’ ICAR will create a digital platform for the animal husbandry and fisheries sectors.
- Investigate innovative technical interventions in transporting farmers’ crops from their farm gate to warehouses, markets, and other locations where they want to sell with the least harm.
Pic Courtesy: Indian Mandarins
Content Source: PIB