Agriculture Minister Urges ICAR to Develop High-Yield Crops

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan called on ICAR scientists to develop high-yielding varieties of pulses and oilseeds to reduce India's import dependency and boost domestic production. Speaking at the 96th ICAR Foundation and Technology Day, he emphasized crop diversification and closer collaboration between research institutes and Krishi Vigyan Kendras to bridge technology transfer gaps.

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has urged scientists from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to develop high-yielding varieties of pulses and oilseeds to enhance India's domestic production and reduce dependency on imports.

During the 96th ICAR Foundation and Technology Day event, Chouhan pointed out the declining productivity and acreage of soybean and sunflower seeds in India compared to other nations. He emphasized the importance of developing short-duration, high-yield varieties to encourage farmers to cultivate these crops.

Chouhan stressed the need for a campaign to promote crop diversification and educate farmers about the benefits of cultivating pulses and oilseeds. By diversifying agriculture, he said, farmers' income could potentially quadruple, although this requires addressing gaps in technology transfer from research to practice. He suggested that closer ties between ICAR institutes and Krishi Vigyan Kendras are necessary to achieve this goal.

The minister also mentioned that only about 20% of ICAR's budget is dedicated to research, highlighting the need for increased funding in this area. He proposed the creation of 'model farms' to demonstrate effective crop diversification techniques.

Additionally, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh called for intensified research in the allied sectors of livestock and dairy, particularly focusing on combating Foot and Mouth disease and developing affordable IVF vaccines. The event also showcased 40 innovative technologies and saw the signing of several MOUs with the private sector.