Indian Council

Of
Agricultural Research

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 Table of Contents
1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 4
1.1 Evolution of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)......................................................... 5
1.1.1 Before Independence............................................................................................................ 5
1.1.2 After Independence .............................................................................................................. 5
2 Structure Of ICAR .................................................................................................................................. 6
2.1 The Organisational Structure of ICAR: .......................................................................................... 7
2.2 Important Agricultural Research Institutes: ................................................................................. 8
3 Functions of ICAR ................................................................................................................................ 16
4 Roles of Indian Council of Agriculture Research ................................................................................. 16
4.1 Late 1960s (During Green Revolution)........................................................................................ 16
4.2 Late 1970s ................................................................................................................................... 17
4.2.1 Launch of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) ................................................................................. 17
4.3 Late 90s and Early 20s ................................................................................................................. 18
4.3.1 ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management Agency)...................................................... 19
4.3.2 Agricultural Technology Information Centres (ATIC) .......................................................... 19
4.3.3 National Agricultural Research Project (NARP)................................................................... 19
4.3.4 Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms ....................................... 20
4.3.5 Mass Media Support to Agricultural Extension .................................................................. 20
4.3.6 Community Radio Stations (CRS) ........................................................................................ 21
4.3.7 Establishment of Agri-Clinics & Agri-Business Centres (ACABC) ......................................... 21
4.3.8 Kisan Call Centres (KCC) ...................................................................................................... 22
4.3.9 Extension Education Institutes (EEIs) .................................................................................. 22
4.3.10 National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology ............................................. 23
5 Some Important Schemes and Projects of ICAR ................................................................................. 23
5.1 Mrida Parikshak .......................................................................................................................... 23
5.2 STUDENT READY.......................................................................................................................... 24
5.3 Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana............................................................................................... 24
5.4 Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana .................................................................................... 24
5.5 Soil Health Card........................................................................................................................... 24
5.6 Agri-Tech Infrastructure Fund (ATIF) .......................................................................................... 24

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 5.7 National Agriculture Market (NAM) ........................................................................................... 25
5.8 Krishi Dak .................................................................................................................................... 25
5.9 Knowledge Systems and Homestead Agriculture Management in Tribal Areas (KSHAMTA)..... 25
5.10 In-situ Crop Residue Management: ............................................................................................ 25
5.11 Establishment of District Agricultural Meteorological Units (DAMU) under KVKs ..................... 25
5.12 ICT Initiatives ............................................................................................................................... 26
✓ Web Portal- ................................................................................................................................. 26
✓ mKisan Portal- ............................................................................................................................. 26
6 Indian Council of Agricultural Research Vision-2050 .......................................................................... 26
6.1 Farmers FIRST.............................................................................................................................. 26
6.2 ARYA ............................................................................................................................................ 26
6.3 Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav ............................................................................................................ 27
6.4 Roadmap for modernizing national extension system ............................................................... 27

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 1 Introduction
Agriculture can be defined as the science or practice of farming, including cultivation of
the soil for the growing of crops and the rearing of animals to provide food, wool, and
other products.
✓ India ranks first in the world with highest net cropped area followed by US and China.
✓ Even though the economic contribution of agriculture to India's GDP is steadily declining
with the country's broad-based economic growth, still, agriculture is demographically the
broadest economic sector and plays a significant role in the overall socio-economic fabric
of India.
✓ All the agricultural activities in India are undertaken by Indian Council of Agricultural
Research. It is one of the largest national agricultural systems in the world.
• Type: Autonomous Organization
• Department: It is under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education
(DARE), Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.
• Aim: Coordinating, guiding and managing research and education in agriculture
including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the entire country.
• Total Institutions: 65 ICAR institutes
• Total Deemed Universities: 4 Deemed Universities
• Total National Research Centers: 14 National Research Centres
• Total National Bureau: 6 National Bureau
• Total Directorates/Project Directorates: 13 Directorates/Project Directorates
• Major Achievement: The ICAR has played a pioneering role in ushering Green
Revolution and subsequent developments in agriculture in India through its research
and technology development that enabled the country to increase the production of
(as per ICAR data):
o food grains by 5 times
o horticultural crops by 9.5 times
o fish by 12.5 times
o milk 7.8 times
o eggs 39 times,
thus making a visible impact on the national food and nutritional security.
• It has played a major role in promoting excellence in higher education in agriculture.

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 1.1 Evolution of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

1.1.1 Before Independence

✓ 1926: In 1926 the Royal Commission on Agriculture was established; it was headed by
Lord Linlithgow.
- He recommended the setting up of Imperial Council of Agricultural Research to
promote and guide Agricultural research in India
✓ 1928: Royal Commission on Agriculture submits its report
✓ 1929: Imperial Council of Agricultural Research was set up on 16th July 1929 as a
registered society under the Societies Registration Act 1860 on recommendations of the
Royal Commission on Agriculture
✓ 1946: As India nears Independence, under the presidency of Jogendra Singh the ‘Imperial’
Council of Agricultural Research was changed to ‘Indian’ Council of Agricultural Research

1.1.2 After Independence

Following independence, ICAR broadened its directive to include the establishment of
universities, research institutes, and other sub-mandates in order to take a systematic
approach to improving agricultural conditions in India.

• A few milestones achieved by ICAR post-Independence are as follows:

✓ 1957: Initiation of the first All-India Co-ordinated Research Project on Maize
✓ 1958: Status of Deemed University accorded to IARI
✓ 1960: Establishment of the first State Agricultural University on land grant pattern at
Pantnagar
✓ 1966: Placement of different agricultural research institutes under the purview of ICAR
✓ 1973: Creation of Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) in the
Ministry of Agriculture
✓ 1974: Opening of first Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at Puducherry (Pondicherry)
✓ 1975: Establishment of Agricultural Research Service and Agricultural Scientists'
Recruitment Board
✓ 1979: Launching of Lab-to-Land Programme and the National Agricultural Research
Project (NARP)
✓ 1955: Initiation of Institution-Village Linkage Programme (IVLP)
✓ 1966: Establishment of National Gene Bank at New Delhi
✓ 1989: The ICAR was bestowed with the King Baudouin Award in 1989 for its valuable
contribution in ushering in the Green Revolution.
-It was awarded King Baudouin Award again in 2004 for research and development efforts
made under partnership in Rice Wheat Consortium.

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 ✓ 1998: Launched National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP)
✓ 2005: Launched National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP)

NOTE: We will cover the above mention institutes and projects of ICAR under structure and
roles of ICAR respectively.

2 Structure Of ICAR
• The organizational structure of ICAR consists of:
✓ Union Minister of Agriculture is the ex-officio President of the ICAR Society.
✓ Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research & Education Ministry of Agriculture,
Govt. of India & Director-General, ICAR - the Principal Executive Officer of the Council
✓ Governing Body is the policy-making authority
✓ Agricultural Scientists' Recruitment Board
✓ Deputy Directors-General (8)
✓ Additional Secretary (DARE) and Secretary (ICAR)
✓ Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor
✓ Assistant Directors-General (24)
✓ National Director, National Agricultural Innovation Project
✓ Directorate of Information and Publications of Agriculture

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 2.1 The Organisational Structure of ICAR:

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 2.2 Important Agricultural Research Institutes:
✓ The foundation for these organized contributions for research and technology to
agriculture were typically laid in with the starting of agriculture departments in the states
long back even before the Independence of India.
✓ These institutions although might be owned by different agencies but have the common
broad agenda to generate and transfer technologies for the better of Indian
agriculture. The Indian Council for Agriculture Research (ICAR) has taken upon itself the
onus of coordinating and driving these institutions forward, creating “National
Agricultural Research System (NARS)”.

1. Deemed Universities - 4
S.No Name of the University Location
1 Indian Agricultural Research Institute New Delhi
2 National Dairy Research Institute Karnal, Haryana
3 Indian Veterinary Research Institute Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh
4 Central Institute on Fisheries Education Mumbai

2. Institutions – 65
S
No. Name of the Institute Location
1 ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute Port Blair, Andaman and
Nicobar Islands
2 ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute Jodhpur, Rajasthan
3 ICAR-Central Avian Research Institute Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh
4 ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute Barrackpore, West Bengal
5 ICAR-Central Institute Brackish water Aquaculture Chennai, Tamil Nadu
6 ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes Hissar, Haryana
7 ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats Makhdoom, Mathura,
Uttar Pradesh
8 ICAR-Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
9 ICAR-Central Institute for Arid Horticulture Bikaner, Rajasthan
10 ICAR-Central Institute of Cotton Research Nagpur, Maharashtra
11 ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology Cochin, Kerala
12 ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture Bhubaneshwar, Odisha

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 13 ICAR-Central Institute of Research on Cotton Technology Mumbai, Maharashtra
14 ICAR-Central Institute of Sub Tropical Horticulture Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
15 ICAR-Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture Srinagar, Jammu and
Kashmir
16 ICAR-Central Institute on Post harvest Engineering and Technology Ludhiana, Punjab
17 ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute Kochi, Kerala
18 ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute Kasaragod, Kerala
19 ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
20 ICAR-Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibers Barrackpore, West Bengal
21 ICAR-Central Research Institute of Dryland Agriculture Hyderabad, Telangana
22 ICAR-National Rice Research Institute Cuttack, Odisha
23 ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute Avikanagar, Rajasthan
24 ICAR- Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation Dehradun, Uttarakhand
25 ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute Karnal, Haryana
26 ICAR-Central Tobacco Research Institute Rajahmundry, Andhra
Pradesh
27 ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute Trivandrum, Kerala
28 ICAR-ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region Patna, Bihar
29 ICAR-ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region Barapani, Meghalaya
30 ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute Ela, Old Goa, Goa
31 ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute New Delhi
32 ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh
33 ICAR-Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology Ranchi, Jharkhand
34 ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research Bengaluru, Karnataka
35 ICAR-Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums Ranchi, Jharkhand
36 ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
37 ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Sciences Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
38 ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research Calicut, Kerala
39 ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
40 ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
41 ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research & Management Hyderabad, Telangana
42 ICAR-National Institute of Biotic Stresses Management Raipur, Chhattisgarh
43 ICAR-National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management Malegaon, Maharashtra
44 ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology Bengaluru, Karnataka
45 ICAR-National Institute of Research on Jute & Allied Fiber Technology Kolkata, West Bengal
46 ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Hebbal, Bengaluru,
Informatics Karnataka
47 ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
48 ICAR-Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan Almora, Uttarakhand
49 ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle Meerut, Uttar Pradesh
50 ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

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 51 ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research New Delhi
52 ICAR- Central Agroforestry Research Institute Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh
53 ICAR-National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research New Delhi
54 ICAR- Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research Karnal, Haryana
55 ICAR- Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research Modipuram, Uttar Pradesh
56 ICAR- Indian Institute of Millets Research Hyderabad, Telangana
57 ICAR- Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research Hyderabad, Telangana
58 ICAR- Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research, Pedavegi West Godawari, Andhra
Pradesh
59 ICAR- Indian Institute of Water Management Bhubaneshwar, Odisha
60 ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research Hyderabad, Telangana
61 ICAR- Central Institute for Women in Agriculture Bhubaneshwar, Odisha
62 ICAR-Central Citrus Research Institute Nagpur, Maharashtra
63 ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Research Mau, Uttar Pradesh
64 ICAR- National Organic Farming Research Institute Gangtok, Sikkim
65 Indian Grain Storage Institute Hapor, U.P.

3. National Research Centres - 15

S No Name of the Research Centre Location

1 ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu

2 ICAR-National Research Centre for Grapes Pune, Maharashtra
3 ICAR-National Research Centre for Litchi Muzaffarpur, Bihar
4 ICAR-National Research Centre for Pomegranate Solapur, Maharashtra
5 ICAR-National Research Centre on Camel Bikaner, Rajasthan
6 ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines Hisar, Haryana
7 ICAR-National Research Centre on Meat Hyderabad, Telangana
8 ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun Medziphema, Nagaland
9 ICAR-National Research Centre on Orchids Pakyong, Sikkim
10 ICAR-National Research Centre on Pig Guwahati, Assam
11 ICAR-National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology New Delhi
12 ICAR-National Research Centre on Seed Spices Ajmer, Rajasthan
13 ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak, West Kemang Arunachal Pradesh
14 ICAR-National Centre for Integrated Pest Management New Delhi
15 National Research Centre on Integrated Farming (ICAR-NRCIF) Motihari, Bihar

4. National Bureaus - 6
S No Name of the Bureau Location
1 National Bureau of Plant Genetics Resources New Delhi
2 National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Micro-organisms Mau, Uttar Pradesh
3 National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Insects Bangalore, Karnataka

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 4 National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning Nagpur, Maharashtra
5 National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources Karnal, Haryana
6 National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

5. Directorates/Project Directorates – 13
S No Name of the Directorate Location
1 ICAR-Directorate of Groundnut Research Junagarh, Gujarat
2 ICAR-Directorate of Soybean Research Indore, Madhya Pradesh
3 ICAR-Directorate of Rapeseed & Mustard Research Bharatpur, Rajasthan
4 ICAR-Directorate of Mushroom Research Solan, Himachal Pradesh
5 ICAR-Directorate on Onion and Garlic Research Pune, Maharashtra
6 ICAR-Directorate of Cashew Research Puttur, Karnataka
7 ICAR-Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Anand, Gujarat
8 ICAR-Directorate of Floricultural Research Pune, Maharashtra
Jabalpur, Madhya
ICAR-Directorate of Weed Research
9 Pradesh
Mukteshwar,
ICAR-Project Directorate on Foot & Mouth Disease
10 Uttarakhand
11 ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research Hyderabad, Telanagna
12 ICAR-Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture (DKMA) New Delhi
Bhimtal, Nainital,
ICAR-Directorate of Cold-Water Fisheries Research
13 Uttarakhand
*The ICAR institutes (all three categories (institute, National Research Centers and
Directorates) have a defined organizational structure.

6. All India Coordinated Research Projects – 59

✓ In addition to its institute-based research, ICAR promotes research schemes / projects in
agriculture and allied areas to resolve location- specific problems. Examples: All
India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs), Network projects and other projects.
- This promotes a coordinated and a cooperative endeavor with other research
organizations in carrying out multidisciplinary research programs.
S No Name of AICRPs Location
1 AICRP on Nematodes New Delhi
2 AICRP on Maize New Delhi
3 AICRP Rice Hyderabad, Telangana
4 AICRP on Chickpea Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
5 AICRP on MULLARP Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
6 AICRP on Pigeon Pea Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
7 AICRP on Arid Legumes Jodhpur, Rajasthan
8 AICRP on Wheat & Barley Improvement Project Karnal, Haryana

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 9 AICRP Sorghum Hyderabad, Telangana
10 AICRP on Pearl Millets Jodhpur, Rajasthan
11 AICRP on Small Millets Bangalore, Karnataka
12 AICRP on Sugarcane Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
13 AICRP on Cotton Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
14 AICRP on Groundnut Junagarh, Gujarat
15 AICRP on Soybean Indore, Madhya Pradesh
16 AICRP on Rapeseed & Mustard Bharatpur, Rajasthan
17 AICRP on Sunflower, Safflower, Castor Hyderabad, Telangana
18 AICRP on Linseed Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
19 AICRP on Sesame and Niger Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh
20 AICRP on IPM and Biocontrol Bangalore, Karnataka
AICRP on Honey Bee Research & Training, and All India Coordinated Hisar, Haryana and New
Research Project on Honey Bees and Pollinators in collaboration with the Delhi respectively.
Integrated Bee Development Center (IBDC), Division of Entomology,
21 ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute
22 AICRP –NSP (Crops) Mau, Uttar Pradesh
23 AICRP on Forage Crops Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh
24 AICRP on Fruits Bengaluru, Karnataka
25 AICRP Arid Zone Fruits Bikaner, Rajasthan
26 AICRP Mushroom Solan, Himachal Pradesh
27 AICRP Vegetables including NSP vegetable Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
28 AICRP Potato Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Thiruvananthapuram,
AICRP Tuber Crops
29 Kerala
30 AICRP Palms Kasaragod, Kerala
31 AICRP Cashew Puttur, Karnataka
32 AICRP Spices Calicut, Kerala
33 AICRP on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants including Betel-vine Anand, Gujarat
34 AICRP on Floriculture New Delhi
35 AICRP in Micro Secondary & Pollutant Elements in Soils and Plants Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
36 AICRP on Soil Test with Crop Response Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
37 AICRP on Long Term Fertilizer Experiments Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
38 AICRP on Salt Affected Soils & Use of Saline Water in Agriculture Karnal, Haryana
39 AICRP on Water Management Research Bhubaneshwar, Odisha
40 AICRP on Ground Water Utilization Bhubaneshwar, Odisha
41 AICRP Dryland Agriculture Hyderabad, Telangana
AICRP on Agrometeorology, Hyderabad including Network on Impact Telangana
42 adaptation & Vulnerability of Indian Agri. to Climate Change
AICRP Integrated Farming System Research, Modipuram including Uttar Pradesh
43 Network Organic Farming
44 AICRP Weed Control Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh

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 45 AICRP on Agroforestry Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh
46 AICRP on Farm Implements & Machinery Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
All India Coordinated Research Project on Ergonomics and Safety Bhubaneshwar, Odisha
47 in Agriculture
48 AICRP on Renewable Sources of Energy for Ag. and Agro Based Indus. Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
49 AICRP on Utilization of Animal Energy (UAE) Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
50 AICRP on Application of Plastic in Agriculture Ludhiana, Punjab
51 AICRP on PHT Ludhiana, Punjab
52 AICRP on Goat Improvement Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
AICRP- Improvement of Feed Sources & Nutrient Utilization for raising Bangalore, Karnataka
53 animal production
54 AICRP on Cattle Research Meerut, Uttar Pradesh
55 AICRP on Poultry Hyderabad, Telangana
56 AICRP-Pig Izzatnagar, Uttar Pradesh
Mukteshwar,
AICRP Foot and Mouth Disease
57 Uttarakhand
58 AICRP ADMAS Bangalore, Karnataka
59 AICRP on Home Science Bhubaneshwar, Odisha

7. Network Projects - 20
S No. Name of the project Location
1 All India Network Project on Pesticides Residues New Delhi
Durgapur, Jaipur,
All India Network Project on Soil Arthropod Pests
2 Rajasthan
3 Network on Economic Ornithology Hyderabad, Telangana
4 Network on Agricultural Acarology Bangalore, Karnataka
5 All India Network Project on Rodent Control Jodhpur, Rajasthan
6 All India Network Project on Underutilized Crops New Delhi
7 All India Network Project on Jute and Allied Fibers, Barrackpore West Bengal
Bhopal, Madhya
Network Bio-fertilizers
8 Pradesh
Rajahmundry, Andhra
All India Network Project on Tobacco
9 Pradesh
Network Project on Harvest & Post Harvest and Value Addition to Natural Ranchi, Jharkhand
10 Resins & Gums
11 Network project on Improvement of Onion & Garlic Pune, Maharashtra
12 Network project on Animal Genetic Resources Karnal, Haryana
Network Project on R&D Support for Process Upgradation of Indigenous Karnal, Haryana
13 Milk products for industrial application
14 Network Project on Buffaloes Improvement Hisar, Haryana
Avikanagar, Jaipur,
Network Programme on Sheep Improvement
15 Rajasthan
Izatnagar, Uttar
Network on Gastro Intestinal Parasitism
16 Pradesh

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 Network Project on Conservation of Lac Insect Genetic Resources, (Indian Ranchi, Jharkhand
17 Lac Research Institute)
Izatnagar, Uttar
Network on Hemorrhagic Septicemia
18 Pradesh
National Academy of Agricultural Research Management Izatnagar, Uttar
19 Network Programme Blue Tongue Disease Pradesh
20 Network Project on Agricultural Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, New Delhi

8. Some Important Horticulture Research Institutes in India

Note: Kindly note, there might be a repetition of Horticulture Research Institutions in the list
of ICAR research institutes or other organizations under ICAR.
Name of the Institute Location
1 Thiruvananthapuram,
Central tuber crops research institute (CTCRI)
Kerala
2 Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) Shimla, HP
3 Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR) Varanasi, UP
4 Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) Bengaluru, Karnataka
5 Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR) Calicut, Kerala
6 Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) Kasaragod, Kerala
7 Central Institute for Sub-Tropical Horticulture (CISTH) Lucknow, UP
8 Central Institute for Arid Horticulture (National Research Center for Arid
Bikaner, Rajasthan
Horticulture)
9 Central Arid Zone Research Institute Jodhpur, Rajasthan
10 Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) Lucknow, UP
11 Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI) Chickmaglur, Karnataka
12 National Research Centre for Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Anand, Gujarat
13 National research Centre for Orchids Pakyong, Sikkim
14 National Research Centre for Citrus Nagpur, Maharashtra
15 Pedavegi, Andhra
National Research Centre for Oil Palm
Pradesh
16 National Research Centre for Mushroom Solan, Himachal Pradesh
17 National Research Centre for Cashew Puttur, Karnataka
18 Tiruchirappalli, Tamil
National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB)
Nadu
19 National Research Centre for Seed Spices Ajmer, Rajasthan
20 National Research Centre for Onion and Garlic Pune, Maharashtra
21 National Research Centre for Grapes Pune, Maharashtra

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 22 National Research Centre for Litchi Muzaffarpur, Bihar
23 National Research Centre on Pomegranate Solapur, Maharashtra
24 National Research Centre for Makhana Patna, Bihar
25 Coffee Board Bangalore, Karnataka
26 Coconut board Kochi, Kerala
27 Coir board Kochi, Kerala
28 Tea Board Kolkata, West Bengal
29 Spices Board Cochin, Kerala
30 National Medicinal Plants Board New Delhi
31 National Horticulture Board (NHB) Gurgaon, Haryana
32 National Bureau of Plant & Genetic Resources (NBPGR) New Delhi
33 United Planters Association of South India (UPASI) Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
34 Tocklai Tea Research Centre (TRA) Jorhat, Assam
35 Kurseong, Darjeeling,
Darjeeling Tea Research and Development Centre (DTRDC)
West Bengal
36 Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT) Palampur, HP
37 Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute (CSRTI) Mysore
38 Central Silk Board Bangalore, Karnataka
39 Central Muga Eri Research & Training Institute Jorhat, Assam

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 3 Functions of ICAR
The functions of ICAR are as follows:
✓ To plan, undertake, aid, promote and coordinate education, research and its application
in agriculture, agroforestry, animal husbandry, fisheries, home science and allied
sciences.
✓ To act as a clearing house of research and general information relating to agriculture,
animal husbandry, home science and allied sciences, and fisheries through its
publications and information system; and instituting and promoting transfer of
technology programmes.
✓ To provide, undertake and promote consultancy services in the fields of education,
research, training and dissemination of information in agriculture, agroforestry, animal
husbandry, fisheries, home science and allied sciences.
✓ To look into the problems relating to broader areas of rural development concerning
agriculture, including postharvest technology by developing co-operative programmes
with other organizations such as the Indian Council of Social Science Research, Council of
Scientific and Industrial Research, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and the universities.
✓ To do other things considered necessary to attain the objectives of the Society.
✓ Strengthening the infrastructural facilities of the State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) to
undertake research on location specific problems.

4 Roles of Indian Council of Agriculture Research

4.1 Late 1960s (During Green Revolution)

✓ The contribution of ICAR to the productivity enhancement during the Green Revolution
era has been well documented.
- During this period, the public extension system played the key role in conducting field
demonstrations of high-yielding varieties and improving the input delivery that
ensured timely availability of quality seeds, fertilizers and agricultural chemicals at
affordable prices.
✓ By the end of 1970s, the Green Revolution type of extension system had largely achieved
its major goal of increasing the area under high-yielding varieties.

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 4.2 Late 1970s
✓ In the late-1970s, the agricultural extension system became mostly involved in the
distribution of agricultural inputs through the state agricultural depots and handling of
the subsidies that were provided through various agricultural development programs.
✓ A Training and Visit (T&V) system was introduced in extension services on a pilot scale in
Rajasthan in 1974 with World Bank funding support and was scaled up to several other
states in 1977.
- While impressive results were documented by the studies that evaluated the T&V
system, the issues related to sustainability of funding, high requirement of staffing,
and the quality of staff became the key concerns.

4.2.1 Launch of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)

✓ The 1970s also witnessed the launch of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) or Farm Science
Centres, Lab-to-Land programmes, and Operational Research Programmes by the ICAR.
- Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) were begun by ICAR to provide need-based and skill-
oriented vocational training to farmers, field-level extension workers and other self-
employed persons.
✓ Launched in: 1974.
✓ Role: to feed proven technologies to the main extension system.
- KVKs were meant to bridge the gap between technology developed at research
institutions and its adoption at the field level.
✓ Total KVKs in India: As of May 2021, there were approximately 722 KVKs throughout
India.
✓ Low manpower resources restrict the reach of KVKs to a limited number of farmers.
✓ Many KVKs are constrained by financial, infrastructural, and human resource limitations
and unable to reach the farming community of a district.

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 4.3 Late 90s and Early 20s
✓ ICAR moved toward scientific cultivation of other crops and other agricultural sectors in
order to achieve self-sufficiency in yield.
The following are some of the major revolutions that occurred in India in 90s and 20s:

Agricultural Revolutions in India

Objective of the revolution Revolution Father of the Revolution
Food Grains Green Revolution M.S. Swaminathan
Meat Production / Tomato Red Revolution Vishal Tewari
Production
Potato Round Revolution –
Food Grains Green Revolution M.S. Swaminathan
Milk Production White Revolution Verghese Kurien
Integration of ecological principles in Evergreen Revolution M S Swaminathan
technology development
Higher Production (Technology- Protein Revolution Coined by Narendra Modi and
driven 2nd Green revolution) Arun Jaitely
Oilseed Production (Especially Yellow Revolution Sam Pitroda
Mustard and Sunflower)
Petroleum products Black Revolution –
Fish Production Blue Revolution Dr Arun Krishnan
Leather / Cocoa / Non-Conventional Brown Revolution –
Products
Jute Production Golden Fiber Revolution –
Fruits / Honey Production / Golden Revolution Nirpakh Tutej
Horticulture Development
Fertilizers Grey Revolution –
Onion Production / Pharmaceuticals / Pink Revolution Durgesh Patel
Prawn Production
Egg Production / Poultry Production Silver Revolution Indira Gandhi (Mother of the
Revolution)
Cotton Silver Fiber Revolution –

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 ✓ Agricultural extension also witnessed a qualitative change in the 1990s, with a new focus
on privatization and the withdrawal of support to the state-led extension system.
- Reduced spending by government weakened the public-sector extension system.
Other non-governmental agencies stepped in to fill the vacuum.

4.3.1 ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management Agency)

✓ About a decade ago, in order to introduce reforms in the public sector agricultural
extension system and increase its relevance, accessibility, and efficiency of knowledge
sharing among various actors, players, and stakeholders, the Agricultural Technology
Management Agency (ATMA) was introduced as a pilot (1998-2003) in 28 districts.
✓ The ATMA model was meant to make the extension system a demand-driven, market-
oriented, and farmer-accountable system.
✓ ATMA was to be the nodal point at the district level for technology dissemination,
integrating research and extension activities, and decentralizing day-to-day management
of the public agricultural extension system.
✓ Field-level activities are coordinated through Farm Information and Advisory Centres
(FIAC) at the block level.
✓ Another feature of ATMA is that it deals with groups such as farmer groups or self-help
groups rather than with individuals for the delivery of extension services.
✓ It also has provisions for public-private partnership in the district.
✓ Following positive feedback from the pilot implementation, the ATMA model was scaled
up across 614 rural districts in 28 states and 3 of the country.

4.3.2 Agricultural Technology Information Centres (ATIC)

✓ In 2000, ICAR introduced Agricultural Technology Information Centres (ATIC) in selected
ICAR institutes and State Agricultural Universities to function as a single window to
disseminate technologies developed in the Universities and Institutes.

4.3.3 National Agricultural Research Project (NARP)

✓ The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) had added a new dimension to
agricultural research in India by launching in 1979 the National Agricultural Research
Project (NARP) with World Bank assistance to strengthen the research capabilities of the
State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) to conduct need-based, location-specific and
production-oriented research as an important means of finding solutions to the location
specific problems in different agro-climatic zones in their respective service areas.

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 ✓ For this purpose, intensification of research efforts was envisaged
in respect of Cereals, millets, pulses and oilseeds, particularly those that are grown
under rainfed conditions
o Farming systems involving crop-livestock and crop-fish production systems
o Agronomic practices
o Soil and water conservation techniques
o Land use patterns for more efficient use of natural resources and ecological
potential.
✓ The objectives were sought to be achieved through:
o Rationalization of university research programmes and research organizations
o Strengthening the infrastructural facilities of the State Agricultural Universities
(SAUs) to undertake research on location specific problems.

4.3.4 Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms

✓ Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension
Reforms” was launched in the year 2005 - 06.
✓ This concept was pilot tested under the World Bank assisted National Agricultural
Technology Project (NATP) from 1999 to 2005.
✓ Aim: at promoting decentralized, demand - driven and farmer - accountable extension
system through a new institutional arrangement for technology dissemination in the form
of Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA).
✓ ATMA provides an institutional mechanism for coordination and management of
Agricultural Extension System in the district.
✓ Under the Scheme, sustained efforts are being made to provide boost to major
extension reforms such as bottom - up planning, broad - based extension delivery,
involvement of multi - agency extension service providers, farmer - centric extension
services and main - streaming gender concerns in agriculture by introducing innovative
and progressive arrangements at different levels viz. State, District and Block.

4.3.5 Mass Media Support to Agricultural Extension

✓ The “Mass Media Support to Agricultural Extension” scheme was initially launched on
21st January 2004.
✓ Objective: to disseminate information and knowledge to the farming community in local
language/dialect for strengthening the agricultural extension system.
- Under this scheme existing infrastructure of Doordarshan and All India Radio is being
utilized to make the farmers aware about modern farm technologies.

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 ✓ Farm related programmes of 30-minute duration are being telecast 6 days a week
through 1 National, 18 Regional Kendras and 180 High Power/Low Power
Transmitters of Doordarshan.
✓ Similarly, 96 Rural FM Radio Stations of All India Radio are being utilized to broadcast 30
minutes of programme for farmers 6 days a week.
✓ The Free Commercial Time (FCT) available under Krishi Darshan
and Kisanvani programme is being utilized for dissemination of Advisories during Rabi /
Kharif and popularizing the central scheme like contingency plan developed by State
Governments, emergent issues like drought, flood, credit and insurance
and popularization of schemes like Kisan Call Centre, Kisan Credit Card, National Food
Security Mission (NFSM) and Minimum Support Price (MSP)

4.3.6 Community Radio Stations (CRS)

✓ CRS made a major contribution to agricultural extension by utilizing the reach of radio
transmitter for disseminating information & knowledge produced locally or having
relevance for a specific area.
✓ In order to give further boost to this initiative it is essential to consider funding of private
institutions along with Government and Quasi - government organizations for setting up
CRS.
✓ Accordingly, the guidelines for funding of private institutions under Scheme “Support to
State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms” have been revised.

4.3.7 Establishment of Agri-Clinics & Agri-Business Centres (ACABC)

✓ The Central Sector Scheme “Establishment of the Agri-clinics and Agri-business Centres
(ACABC)” is under implementation since 2002.
✓ The scheme promotes the involvement of agri-preneurs to supplement the efforts of
public extension system by way of setting -up of agri-ventures in agriculture and allied
areas.
- These agri-preneurs are actively involved in providing advisory, extension services
including know-how to the farmers at grass root level besides input
infrastructure, processing and machinery support.

Objectives of the Scheme

✓ To create gainful self-employment opportunities to unemployed agricultural graduates,
agricultural diploma holders, intermediate in agriculture and science graduates with PG
in agri related courses.
✓ To support agriculture development

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 ✓ To supplement efforts of public extension by necessarily providing extension and other
services to farmers on payment basis or free of cost as per business model of agri-
preneur, local needs and affordability of target group of farmers.

4.3.8 Kisan Call Centres (KCC)

✓ To harness the potential of ICT in agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture took the initiative of
launching an innovative scheme “Kisan Call Centers” on 21st January, 2004
✓ Aim: offering solutions to farmers’ queries on a telephone call and to leverage the
extensive telecommunication infrastructure in the country to deliver extension services
to the farming community.
✓ These Kisan Call Centres (KCCs) are presently operating in 25 locations covering all the
States & UTs with 144 Call Center Agents engaged therein answering farmers’ queries in
their language.
✓ At each KCC location the Kisan Call Centre Agents are first level respondents answering
farmers’ KCC agents are B.Sc. (Ag)/ Postgraduate in Agriculture and work at first level
queries instantly.
✓ Majority of the questions are answered by the KCC agents at their own level.
✓ Only a small percentage (2 per cent) of questions is escalated to higher - level experts (L-
II experts) for answering the queries, which are not answered by KCC Agents.

4.3.9 Extension Education Institutes (EEIs)

✓ Training and capacity building of extension functionaries was always given a priority
status in the national extension system.
✓ Aim: imparting higher training in extension education.
✓ EEIs were specifically established to meet the training requirement in the field of
Communication Technology, Extension Methodology, Training Management,
Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), Management of Agricultural Information System, etc.
extension functionaries of State Development Departments on a continuing basis.
✓ Four Extension Education Institutes (EEIs) have been established on regional basis as
detailed below:
o EEI, Nilokheri (Northern Region) started in 1959
o EEI, Hyderabad (Southern Region) started in 1962
o EEI, Anand (Western Region) started in 1962
o EEI, Jorhat (East & North East Region) started in 1987

Objectives of creating EEI

✓ To provide in - service training to the staff of the State/Regional Training Centers in
extension and communication methodology.

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 ✓ To organize workshops on training methods / communication techniques for master
✓ trainers.
✓ To conduct training programmes in specialized fields like monitoring and evaluation
supervision and extension management for middle level extension functionaries.
✓ To conduct subject matter and extension education training programmes.

4.3.10 National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology

✓ National Mission on Agricultural Extension shall support the state governments, local
bodies & institutions for enhancing their capacity and institutionalizing structures &
mechanisms for a knowledge - driven, accountable, decentralized, broad - based &
participatory programme planning & implementation to facilitate farmers, farmwomen
& youth to achieve economic, food, nutritional & environmental security and thus achieve
plan objective of faster, sustainable and more inclusive agricultural growth .
Objectives
✓ Mission shall, on priority, develop the capacity of ATMA and other local institutions in
formulating CDAP (Comprehensive District Agricultural Plan), preparation of competitive
projects based on local needs and constraints, selection of best projects and their
implementation.
✓ The systems and processes shall promote flow of ideas and innovations to incentivize &
empower the institutions and enforce their accountability for the outcomes.
✓ ATMA and KVK shall be the fulcrum of activities.
✓ Agricultural Technology, including the adoption/ promotion of critical inputs, and
improved agronomic practices were being disseminated under 17 different schemes.
✓ The National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology (NMAET) has been
envisaged as the next step towards this objective through the amalgamation of these
schemes.

5 Some Important Schemes and Projects of ICAR

5.1 Mrida Parikshak

✓ Mrida-parikshak is a mini lab created by the ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science in
Bhopal. It is a digital mobile quantitative mini lab that will give soil testing services to
farmers at their homes.

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 ✓ Function: It determines all the important soil parameters i.e. soil pH, EC, organic carbon,
available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and micronutrients like zinc, boron
and iron.
- It also provides crop and soil specific fertilizer recommendations directly to farmers
on his mobile through SMS.

5.2 STUDENT READY

✓ Full Form: “Rural and Entrepreneurship Awareness Development Yojana”.
✓ Function: Student READY is a skill development initiative to strengthen students with
skills to take up global challenges and also to improve both their employability as well as
ability to set up a venture.

5.3 Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana

✓ The Government of India has launched the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (Traditional
Farming Improvement Programme) to encourage and promote organic farming and so
improve soil health.
- This will encourage farmers to use environmentally friendly farming methods and
lessen their reliance on fertilisers and agricultural chemicals in order to increase
yields.

5.4 Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana

✓ It is a central project.
✓ Aim: to provide irrigation infrastructure to every village in the country by combining other
ministries' existing irrigation schemes.
- It concentrates on providing a "end-to-end solution" in the irrigation supply chain by
launching a new programme in "project mode," with decentralized state-level
planning and implementation.

5.5 Soil Health Card

✓ In a progressive direction, the initiative aims to offer a Soil Health Card to every farmer.
✓ Funtion: The card will include crop-specific recommendations for nutrients and fertilisers
needed for farms, allowing farmers to boost output by employing the right inputs.
NOTE: Because the initiative is being administered by state governments, it means that
states will have to expand their manpower requirements and have more funding.

5.6 Agri-Tech Infrastructure Fund (ATIF)

✓ ATIF is aimed at implementation of an appropriate common e-market platform to
regulate 585 regulated wholesale markets in the states across the country.

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 5.7 National Agriculture Market (NAM)
✓ The National Agricultural Market (NAM) is envisioned as a pan-India electronic trading
site that connects existing Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) and other
market yards to create a unified national market for agricultural commodities.
✓ Through the Agri-Tech Infrastructure Fund, NAM will be implemented as a Central Sector
Scheme (ATIF).

5.8 Krishi Dak

✓ In 20 districts, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has launched an innovative
initiative called Krishi Dak, in which postmen deliver enhanced crop seeds to farmers in
rural places.
✓ This scheme is being expanded in 100 districts across 14 states with the help of Krishi
Vigyan Kendras due to its success and popularity. Farmers will be able to obtain better
seed right at their doorstep as a result of this.

5.9 Knowledge Systems and Homestead Agriculture Management in Tribal Areas

(KSHAMTA)
✓ Under KSHAMTA programme, KVKs across the country conducted on-farm trials and
frontline demonstrations.
- Capacity development of farmers/farm women and extension personnel were done
through training programs
✓ The technological inputs like seeds, planting material and livestock strains and fish
fingerlings were produced by KVKs.
- Besides, by analyzing 86040 samples of soil, water, plant and manure, mobile
advisories were sent to 36.12 lakh farmers on various aspects of agriculture.

5.10 In-situ Crop Residue Management:

✓ Under the project “Awareness for In-situ Crop Residue Management”, 60 KVKs of
Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi are working with focus on promotion of
agricultural machineries, demonstrations, training and other Information, Education
and Communication (IEC) activities for in-situ management of crop residues.
✓ Across the three states under IEC activities, selected villages were targeted to sensitize
people about the harmful effect of residue burning, benefits of in-situ residue
management and government schemes of availability of subsidized machines.

5.11 Establishment of District Agricultural Meteorological Units (DAMU) under KVKs

✓ Under MoU with India Meteorological Department (IMD) to provide Agro-met Advisory
Services in local language in the country through KVKs to serve the farming community

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 in different Agro-climatic zones to reduce the risk due to climatic aberration and improve
productivity, District Agro-Met Units (DAMUs) have been established in the premises of
KVKs.

5.12 ICT Initiatives

✓ Web Portal- Krishi Vigyan Kendra Knowledge Network Portal launched on 8 July 2016 for
regular monitoring of KVKs and to provide information and advisories to the farmers
✓ mKisan Portal- For providing timely and need based information on weather, market,
various farm operations, outbreak of pest and disease incidence and their control
measures, etc. to farming community, mobile agro advisories are provided to more than
5 crore farmers by the KVKs using mKisan portal.

6 Indian Council of Agricultural Research Vision-2050

✓ Vision: Lead India to attaining sustainable food, nutritional, environmental and
livelihoods security through agricultural research and education.
✓ Mission: Harness the power of science and innovation for food security, food safety,
farmer prosperity and enhance natural resources base to promote inclusive growth and
sustainable development.

The project-wise details are as follows:

6.1 Farmers FIRST

✓ The objectives of the 'Farmer FIRST' initiative is to move beyond the production and
productivity and to privilege the complex, diverse & risk prone realities of the farmers
through enhancing farmers-scientists contact with multi-stakeholders participation for
technology development and application.
✓ The project has been conceptualized with focus on Enriching Farmers –Scientist
interface; Technology Assemblage, Application and feedback; Partnership and
Institutional Building and Content Mobilization.

6.2 ARYA
✓ The ICAR has initiated a program on “Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture
(ARYA)” in selected districts through KVKs.
✓ Objective: entrepreneurial development of Youth in Rural Areas to take up various
Agriculture, allied and service sector enterprises for sustainable income and gainful
employment.
- The identified youth are trained on entrepreneurship development skills by providing
a basket of options to start agriculture ventures for self-employment.

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 6.3 Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav
✓ An innovative initiative “Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav” has been planned to promote the
direct interface of scientists with the farmers to hasten the lab to land process.
✓ Objective: to provide farmers with required information, knowledge and advisories on
regular basis by adopting villages.
✓ Under this scheme, scientists will select villages as per their convenience and will remain
in touch with the selected villages and provide information to the farmers on technical
and other related aspects in a time frame through personal visits or on telephone.
- Being a resource person for the village, the scientists are also expected to monitor
the process of adoption of agricultural technologies by the farmers.
✓ The scientists may make use of community radio, local newspapers, mobile messages,
video, exhibition and local media and make initiatives to have dialogue with the farmers
in their local language.
✓ The cooperation of KVKs, ATMA, etc. will be effective in demonstration of technologies to
the farmers.
✓ Besides providing information to farmers on market rates, market trends, the
information on various agricultural organisations associated with agriculture may also
be given so that the farmers can contact these organisations for finding solutions to their
agriculture related problems.
✓ Scientists will also create awareness among farmers about climate change, other
customized services, protective measures and other issues of local and national
importance.
✓ In this process of social transformation, scientists may involve local Panchayats,
development agencies, NGOs and private organisations.
✓ In addition, scientists may encourage the ideology of clean and good agricultural
techniques for producing good quality agricultural products and can link this to Swachh
Bharat Abhiyaan.

6.4 Roadmap for modernizing national extension system

To modernize and further improve our extension systems the following roadmap needs to
be followed:
✓ Assess the existing extension organization against farmer’s needs and determine
whether to strengthen or restructure it.
✓ Decentralize extension but not before capacity-building of the staff and orientation of
relevant elected officials.
✓ Broaden the technical mandate of extension to aim at broader development of rural
human resources.

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 ✓ Formulate national policy on extension in order to ensure political and financial
commitment.
✓ Promote pluralism in extension by involving public, private and civil society institutions.
✓ Privatize extension partially or fully where it is socially and economically feasible.
✓ Develop and apply information technology tools to facilitate the work of extension
workers.
✓ Develop original, location-specific, participatory, gender-sensitive and inexpensive
extension methodologies and materials instead of applying those methodologies which
are promoted as universally suitable.
✓ Orient extension staff to major food security related global developments that could
eventually affect rural livelihoods.
✓ Encourage the extension services to empower farmers through organizing them into
legal associations to constitute a strong lobby for themselves and for extension.
✓ Encourage bottom-up, grassroots extension Programme planning by farmers in order
to make extension demand-driven, but also exercise supply-driven, top-down modality
for promoting common public good practices such as conservation of natural resources
and environment protection.
- If the extension function is to be performed with relatively small number of extension
staff, follow appropriate strategies for getting maximum output.
✓ Ensure effective operational linkages between extension and research and other key
relevant institutions.

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