India has one of the largest National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) in the world comprising 102 Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Institutes, 11 Agricultural Technology Research Institutes, 82 All India Coordinated Projects/Networks of which 4 are considered universities, 3 Central Agricultural Universities and 63 State Agricultural / Veterinary / Horticulture / Fisheries Universities located in various states. In addition, ICAR has a network of 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) across the country, which are engaged in perfecting the technologies developed and conducting leading demonstrations of these technologies on farms. Necessary infrastructure and expertise available at ICAR Institutions, State Agricultural Universities and KVKs ensure various technological interventions in various fields of agriculture and allied sectors to meet the demand of agriculture sector.
Research activities carried out by ICAR during the last three years include:
- Release of 946 field crops comprising 379 cereals, 146 oilseeds, 168 pulses, 55 fodder crops, 158 fiber crops, 26 sugarcane and 14 other crops (potential/minor crops) and 171 varieties horticultural crops;
- development of 25 vaccines and 40 diagnostics for diagnosis and their limitations;
- development of breeding and seed production technologies for 161 food and ornamental fish, 48 domestic fish feed and 70 improved aquaculture systems;
- development of 90 resource-specific fishing gears and fuel-efficient fishing vessels for efficient fishing; and
(v) Development of approximately 168 technologies/machines. These improved varieties/technology/machinery/vaccines etc. are aimed at increasing production and productivity in agriculture in the country.
The above technological developments coupled with government policies and programs have led to a significant increase in food production in recent years. Agriculture and allied sector has seen growth of 3.6 per cent in 2020-21 and 3.9 per cent in 2021-22. Total food production increased from 265.05 million tonnes (MT) in 2013–14 to 314.51 MT in 2021–22. Pulses production increased from 19.26 MT in 2013-14 to 27.75 MT in 2021-22 and horticulture production from 280.70 MT in 2013-14 to 341.63 MT in 2021-22.This information was given by the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
