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Union
Agriculture Minister, Shri Sharad Pawar has asked the
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to
reorient research and development in agriculture and
bridge critical gaps wherever present. Addressing the 79th
Annual General Meeting of the Council in New Delhi on the
23rd January, 2008, Shri Pawar said that the
pace of innovations in agriculture universities and
research institutions in India is not satisfactory and
therefore, remedial steps must be taken by the ICAR. It
must put in place highly skilled and competent human
resources. Similarly, there is need to revise the course
curriculum of agricultural education to make it more
relevant, the Minister said.
Shri Pawar drew the attention of the ICAR Governing Body
towards the resources and facilities available under the
recently launched Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and
National Food Security Mission (NFSM). The flexibility
provided to States in proposing schemes under RKVY can
cover seed production and multiplication, development of
watersheds, creation of farmer schools and many other
areas. Under the NFSM, ICAR institutes, agricultural
universities and Krishi Vigynan Kendras have a role in
providing technological inputs at district levels, he
said.
The AGM was attended by Minister of State for Planning
Shri M.V. Rajashekharan, Members of Parliament, State
Ministers and other members of the ICAR Society.
In his presentation, Director General, ICAR, Dr. Mangla
Rai focused on the need for genetic improvement of crops
and livestock. Other areas he highlighted for urgent
attention included soil amelioration, use of organic
manure, water harvesting and conservation, technologies
for value addition, aquaculture and preparing for impact
of global warming on agriculture.
Full Speech of Agriculture Minister Sh. Sharad Pawar
Full
Speech of Dr. Mangla Rai, Secretary (DARE) & Director
General, ICAR
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