ICAR awards

ICAR FOUNDATION DAY AND RESEARCH AWARDS
on 16/7/2010

SPEECH OF HON’BLE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE, CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION, PROF. K.V. THOMAS





We are here today at the commemoration of ICAR’s foundation and to honour ICAR’s researchers. We are at a juncture where the efforts taken in rejuvenating Indian Agriculture have started bearing fruits. After a hiatus of a few years, due to the efforts taken by the Union Agriculture Ministry, overall agricultural production is looking up. Following launch of RKVY and increased financial commitments by the Union Government, the States are now investing more in agriculture including agricultural R&D.

Just the other day, the Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture and the Hon’ble Minister for Finance guided the “Look East” policy in Indian Agriculture in Calcutta. At an initial investment of Rs.400 crores special productivity incentives are being provided to Eastern States to usher their quite belated green revolution. A package of enhanced productive packages mixing improved irrigation, hybrid seeds and use of environmentally sensitive fertigation has been proposed by most of the States. The enthusiasm with which the State Chief Ministers and Officials welcomed the package was an indication of the excellent results we hope to achieve in that front. I request ICAR to partake actively in the Eastern effort through its network of KVK’s in the region.

Regarding mainstream agricultural R&D, I think there has been disproportionate media attention on biotechnology research in the recent past. Media at least has chosen to report what is “hot”. The reality is that ICAR has developed a host of other technologies especially in the mechanization and post harvest front that need commercial viability testing and production in scale. We need to promote a culture of looking all around us and even abroad for technology also.

For instance, a genuine inhibitor affecting both Coconut and Oil Palm farmers is the lack of labour to bring the fruit bunch down from the tall palms. If a mobile elevatable platform with an all terrain facility is designed an operator can safely attend to more palms reducing risk and costs. I was quite satisfied with the post harvest processing technologies developed by CPCRI, Kasaragod during a recent visit.



Our thrust in horticulture has also brought to fore many practical issues which need clear R&D solutions. Floriculture needs several solutions which keep the shelf life of flowers intact. Seed production needs very highly efficient tissue culture based production and so forth.



I think Animal and Veterinary Science research needs to ground itself into the reality of our situation much better. I hear technologies like embryo transfer and cloning being cited frequently but the artificial insemination networks are yet to be established and stabilized properly in most States. Breeding policies are stuck in formulations of yester years. Quality seed and a wide variety of service delivery models is the lacuna here. Though exploratory research is welcome, it is time we addressed some of the constraints in enhancing milk production like shortage of fodder and fodder fortification technologies.

Grain storage, I am afraid is another area which is presently no body’s baby. The food Departments facilities to test quality of grain are to be highly improved. My visits to our central grain testing labs in Krishi Bhawan was an eye opener as to how much we lag behind, especially after the contrasting picture I got from my recent visit to China. I have asked the food department to consider taking help of ICAR or transfer the lab to ICAR for developing a modern biotechnology grade lab.

I am sure that the present policy issues related to transgenic crops will be resolved early. In the mean time, I should urge the scientific community to continue with an aggressive research programme in transgenics. We cannot afford to lag behind.



As a former academic, I am very pleased to facilitate the winners of the ICAR research awards here today. It is a reflection on the hard work all of you have put in that the country recognizes today. We are all indebted to you for striving very hard and bringing smiles to the Indian Farmers.


I have always maintained that ICAR needs to double its effort, resources and research strength in pursuit of excellence. I do hope that the present DG, ICAR, Dr. S. Ayyappan and his team succeeds in their new ventures.

I am very pleased to be amidst all of you. I wish you all the very best in your endeavors in future.

THANKING YOU,
JAI HIND