PANDIT JAWAHARLAL NEHRU

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND

RESEARCH INSTITUTE

DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY

PGS 505 AGRICULTURE RESEARCH, RESEARCH ETHICS

AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES (1+0)

TOPIC:NARS -National Agricultural Research System

Naveenkumar M
COURSE TEACHER : DR. V. RAMESH
22PGA202
 National Agricultural Research System

 India has built up a fairly advanced agricultural research system. The

effective functioning of this system, in close association with education and
extension systems, has greatly contributed to the rapid growth of agriculture
after independence.
 History
 The foundation for agricultural research in India was laid in 1890s by Dr J.A. Voelcker.

 His work was instrumental for the establishment of the Imperial (now Indian) Agricultural Research Institute in 1905
at Pusa, Bihar.

 Agricultural Colleges were established at Pune, Kanpur, Sabour, Nagpur, Coimbatore and Lyallpur.

 On the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Agriculture (1928), the Imperial Council of Agricultural
Research was established as a Registered Society in 1929.

 After independence, the Council was renamed as Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) on June 10, 1948.

 First, a number of State Agricultural Universities were established.

 Second the ICAR was reorganized first in 1965 to bring centrally sponsored research activities relating to crops,
commodities, animal sciences, and fisheries.

 Thirdly, an innovative programme known as the National Agricultural Research Project (NARP) was launched in 1979
 Objectives
 To transform agricultural production into a modern science-based market oriented
agriculture capable of greater efficiency, profitability and of sustaining growth in
the agricultural sector while contributing to poverty eradication;

 To promote agriculture and related industry for the purposes of contributing to the
improvement of the quality of life and livelihoods of the people, having regard to
the protection of the environment; and

 To support the development and implementation of national policy with relevant

information and knowledge.
 Goal of the NARS

 The overall goal of the NARS is to address challenges presented in the Plan for
Modernisation of Agriculture (PMA) strategy and National Agricultural Research Policy
(NARP) principles to provide research services that address in a sustainable manner, the
needs and opportunities of the majority poor.
Sub-systems of NARS
 Public Research Institutes

 Universities and other tertiary institutions

 Private companies/private sector

 Farmer organizations

 Civil Society Organizations

 Advisory Service Organizations

 NARS Linkage Institutions – the regional and international organizations and

 Individuals
 Key of NARS
1. The harnessing of knowledge and skills on what needs to be done;

2. Deciding who does the research, i.e. hiring research service providers (RSPs) and the direct
accountability to them;

3. Agreeing on the research agenda;

4. The need for farmers to organize themselves in groups for collective action;

5. Facilitating farmer investment into research;

6. Recognition and utilization of farmers’ own knowledge.

 The present system

 The present agricultural research system comprises essentially two main streams, the ICAR at
the national level and the Agricultural Universities at the State level.

 Besides, several other agencies such as General Universities, Scientific Organizations, and
various Ministries/Departments at the Centre, as also Private or Voluntary Organizations
participate directly or indirectly in research activities related to agriculture.
 1. The ICAR System

Mission:

 Sustainable growth of Indian agriculture by interfacing education, research and extension

initiatives complimented with efficient and effective institutional, infrastructure and policy
support, that will create a proper fit between the humanity and its habitat.

Vision:

 “To harness science to ensure comprehensive and sustained physical, economic and ecological
access to food and livelihood security to all Indians, through generation, assessment,
refinement and adoption of appropriate technologies.”
 c) Mandate :
 To plan, undertake, aid, promote and coordinate education, research and its application in agriculture,
agro-forestry, animal husbandry, fisheries, home science and allied sciences.

 To act as a clearinghouse of research and general information and also promoting transfer of technology
programmes.

 To provide, undertake and promote consultancy services.

 To look into the problems relating to broader areas of rural development concerning agriculture,
including post-harvest technology by developing co operative programmes with other organizations such
as the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
(CSIR), Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) and the Universities.

 To do other things considered necessary to attain the above objectives of the Society.
 Research planning, monitoring and evaluation
 ICAR is responsible for agricultural research planning at the national level.

 Its headquarters scrutinizes and sanctions research schemes received from its own institutes as well as
from other institutions.

 The research schemes are first technically examined by the concerned Subject Matter Divisions in the
headquarters and put up for consideration before the Scientific Panels.

 The institute scientists submit annually their research proposals in a standard proforma known as
Research Project File (RPF) which are discussed by the Research Councils at the divisional level in a
larger institutes followed by the Staff Research Councils (SRCs) at the institute level.

 Overall monitoring of different research schemes is undertaken by the Subject Matter Divisions at the
ICAR headquarters, and the overall implementation of the plan schemes by the Plan Implementation and
Monitoring Unit.
 Research infrastructure of the ICAR
 Although agriculture is a State subject, ICAR has established many Central Research Institutions
over the years to meet the agricultural research needs of the country.

These are essentially meant for:

(i) implementing research mandates extending beyond the administrative boundaries of the States;

(ii) pursuing basic research not undertaken by most Agricultural Universities;

(iii) evaluating research results through multi - locational testing; and

(iv) developing manpower for Agricultural Universities and other agricultural institutions.
 A. Central research institutes
ICAR directly administers 49 research institutes in the areas of crop, animal and fishery sciences.

They are:

a) Research management academy

 National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM), originally started as Central Staff
College for Agriculture, at Hyderabad provides research management training to the agricultural
scientists in the country.

 In addition, it organizes seminars, conferences and workshops, both national and international, based
upon the scientific studies and reviews undertaken on the management problems.

 It publishes training materials and functions as a repository of information in the field of agricultural
research and education management.
 b) National bureau
In order to collect, conserve basic resources like plants, animals, fish, soil, and water, ICAR has established
four national bureau as detailed below.

1. National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) at New Delhi undertakes research and
coordinates activities in germplasm collection; introduction and exchange of seeds and plant materials.

2. National Bureau of Soil Survey & Land Use Planning (NBSS&LUP) at Nagpur is engaged in the
preparation of soil map of India; preparation of district level soil resource inventories.

3. National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) at Karnal is engaged in the collection,
maintenance and conservation of animal genetic resources.

4. National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR) at Lucknow is engaged in the collection,
conservation and efficient utilization of fish genetic resources.
 c) Crop science institutes
There are nine crop science institutes carrying out basic and applied research on specific crops and transferring the results
thereof. They are detailed as follows.

1. Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) at New Delhi.

2. Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI) at Cuttack.

3. Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibers (CRIJAF) at Barrackpore.

4. Central Tobacco Research Institute (CTRI) at Rajahmundry.

5) Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute (IGFRI) at Jhansi.

6) Sugarcane Breeding Institute (SBI) at Coimbatore.

7) Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research (IISR) at Lucknow.

8) Central Institute of Cotton Research (CICR) at Nagpur.

9) Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Shala (VPKAS) at Almora.

 d) Horticulture and plantation crops institutes
There are six horticulture and plantation crops institutes conducting and coordinating research on the
crops:

1. Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) at Bangalore.

2. Central Institute of Horticulture for Northern Plains (CIHNP) at Lucknow.

3. Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (CITH) at Srinagar.

4. Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) at Shimla.

5. Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) at Trivandrum.

6. Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) at Kasargod.

 e) Resource management institutes
There are eight resource management institutes which are primarily responsible for undertaking research on soil and
water conservation for optimizing production of crops under different conditions. They are:

1. Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute (CSWCR&TI) at Dehradun.

2. Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI) at Karnal.

3. Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI) at Jodhpur.

4. Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA) at Hyderabad.

5. ICAR Research Complex for North-Eastern Hill Region (ICAR-NEH) at Shilling caters to the needs of
agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, soil and water conservation, etc.

6. ICAR Research Complex for Goa (ICAR-GOA) at Ela.

7. Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) for Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

8. Indian Institute of Soil Science (IISS) at Bhopal.

f) Technological institutes
The technological and engineering problems in crop production and quality of commercial crops are handled by five
institutes. They are:

1. Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering (CIAE) at Bhopal has the mandate for research and development

of improved farm equipment related to crop production.

2. Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (CIRCOT) at Bombay has the mandate to improve the

production of quality cotton.

3. National Institute of Research on Jute and Allied Fibre Technology (NIRJAFT) at Calcutta has the objectives

of improvement of fibre quality.

4. Indian Lac Research Institute (ILRI) at Ranchi carries out research towards effecting improvements in

cultivation, modification and standardization of lac.

5. Central Institute of Postharvest Engineering and Technology (CIPET) at Ludhiana undertakes research on

various aspects of postharvest technology related to agricultural produce.

 g) Animal science institutes
Eight animal science institutes have the mandate of breeding animals for higher productivity and suggest better
management practices. They are:

1. Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) at Izatnagar.

2. National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) at Karnal.

3. Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSWRI) at Avikanagar.

4. Central Institute for Research on Goats (CIRG) at Makhdoom.

5. Central Avian Research Institute (CARI) at Izatnagar.

6. Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes (CIRB) at Hisar.

7. National Institute of Animal Genetics (NIAG) at Karnal.

8. National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology (NIANP) at Bangalore.

 h) Fisheries Institutes
Six fisheries institutes conduct studies for assessing the production of fish, conduct training programmes and undertake research. They
are:

1. Central Inland Capture Fisheries Research Institute (CICFRI) at Barrackpore.

2. Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) at Cochin.

3. Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE) at Bombay.

4. Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, (CIFT) at Cochin .

5. Central Institute of Brackish water Aquaculture (CIBA) at Madras.

6. Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) at Dhauli.

Social science institutes:

Two institutes come under this category. They are:

 Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute (IASRI) at New Delhi.

 National Centre for Agricultural Economics and Policy Research (NCAP) at New Delhi.
Research schemes/projects

 In addition to its institute-based research, ICAR promotes research schemes/projects in agriculture and allied
areas to resolve location-specific problems.

a) All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs)

 These projects have been essentially conceived as an instrument to mobilize available scientific resources to
find effective solutions for the national problems of agricultural production through inter-institutional
interactions.

 The All India Maize Improvement Project, launched by the ICAR in 1957 to improve maize production using
hybrids, was the forerunner of this approach. Its remarkable success led to the extension of this approach to all
the major crops and other areas like animal science, fisheries, soils, agricultural engineering, horticulture, etc.

 Subsequently, many such coordinated projects were initiated. Each project is generally sanctioned for a
period of 5 years and is headed by a full-time Project Coordinator.

 There are 91 such projects, with majority of them currently operating in Agricultural Universities and ICAR
Institutes, and some of them at other institutions.
 b) National Agricultural Research Project (NARP)

 ICAR launched a novel scheme known as National Agricultural Research Project (NARP) in 1979 to
strengthen the regional research capabilities of these Universities for conducting need-based, location-
specific and production oriented research in identified agro-climatic zones.

 Under this project, each State is divided into a contiguous set of agro-climatic zones on the basis of climate,
soils, crops and ecology.

 The strengthening is accomplished by providing funds for incremental scientific and supporting staff,
laboratory, equipment, transport, operating costs, and other physical facilities.

 The Agricultural University, on its part, has to provide funds for land, cultivation and station maintenance.

 The project also provides for strengthening the office of the Director of Research 15 in these Universities
for coordinating the research activities undertaken by these stations more effectively.
 c) National Agricultural Technology Project:
 With a view to raising the efficiency of resource use for technology generation and assessment as well as
transfer, i.e. involving both agricultural research and extension, ICAR has initiated the major National
Agricultural Technology Project (NATP) in 1998 with the financial support provided by the World Bank.

 After successful completion of five years, the project came to an end in 2004.

 The project essentially focused on the following components: Organization & Management (O&M) Reforms
16 Agro-ecosystem Research Innovations in Technology Dissemination Competitive Grants Scheme.

 Themes under Production Systemsof NATP: Natural resources management (NRM), Integrated pest
management (IPM), Integrated plant nutrient management (IPNM), Water management (WM), Biodiversity
(BD), Biotechnology (BT), Post-harvest technology and value addition (PHT&VA)
d) Ad hoc Research Schemes:
 The schemes aim at filling critical gaps in the scientific field and are implemented by the ICAR
Institutes, Agricultural and General Universities, Private Institutions and Voluntary Organizations.

 There are a little over 600 such ad hoc schemes currently in operation.

 The topics of the schemes could be identified by the individual scientists or institutions, or selected
out of the recommendations made in the ICAR Regional Committee Meetings, Vice Chancellor’s
Conferences, or in similar forums.

 The schemes are generally sanctioned for three years. Some of them are exploratory in nature and
may lead to development of larger country-wide projects.
2. The Agricultural Universities System
 As agriculture is a State subject, the responsibilities for research, education and extension rest
with the State Governments.

 The Universities are supported by their respective State Governments. ICAR provides
financial support and assists their research and education programmes.

 The first Agricultural University was established at Pant Nagar in Uttar Pradesh in 1960,
patterned on the Land-Grant System of the United States.
Research planning, monitoring and evaluation

 Agricultural Universities have State-wide responsibility for research in agriculture.

 Research is organized under; (i) University research; (ii) Postgraduate student research; and (iii)
Coordinated research programmes.

 The Director of Research, who is the overall in-charge of research, prepares an annual plan
indicating the main thrusts of research within the broad directions given by the Research
Advisory Committee.

 The Directorate of Research is responsible for research review and evaluation, and timely
publication of research results and reports.

 These schemes are continuously monitored and evaluated by the ICAR in collaboration with the
University.
 List of State Agricultural Universities
1. Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh)

2. Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat (Assam)

3. Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, PO Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Mohanpur (West Bengal)

4. Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi (Bihar)

5. Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh)

6. Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (Haryana)

7. Dr Punjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola (Maharashtra)

8. Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Dist. Solan (Himachal Pradesh)

9. Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar (Uttar Pradesh)

10. Gujarat Agricultural University, Sardar Krushinagar, Dist. Banaskantha (Gujarat)

11. Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Palampur (Himachal Pradesh)

12.Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur (Madhy Pradesh)

13.Jawaharlal Nehru Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh)

14.Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Dist. Thrissur (Kerala)

15.Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli (Maharashtra)

16.Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri (Maharashtra)

17.Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani (Maharashtra)

18.Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Faizabad (Uttar Pradesh)

19.Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneshwar (Orissa)

20.Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana (Punjab)

21. Rajasthan Agriculture University, Bikaner (Rajasthan)

22. Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa, Dist. Samastipur (Bihar)

23. Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. In summer (May-October)

Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir) 190001. In winter (November-April): Jammu Tawi (Jammu & Kashmir)

24. Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu)

25. Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai (Tamil Nadu)

26. University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore (Karnataka)

27. University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad (Karnataka)

28. West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Belgachia, Calcutta (West Bengal)

Central University

29. Central Agricultural University, Imphal (Manipur)

Deemed Universities

30.Allahabad Agricultural Institute (Uttar Pradesh)

31.Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi

32.Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar (Uttar Pradesh)

33.National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal (Haryana)

34.Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Jaiprakash Road, Seven Bungalow,

Mumbai (Maharashtra)

35.Forest Research Institute, PO. New Forest, Dehra Dun

 3. Other Agencies

A. General Universities:
 Many General Universities with well-developed faculties in agriculture, or strong departments engaged
in areas such as genetics, plant physiology, mycology, entomology, biochemistry, economics,
chemistry, marine biology, home science, etc. have made distinctive contributions to agricultural
research in the country.

 Besides, the Central Universities like the Banaras Hindu University, Shanti Niketan, etc. have
Institutes/Schools of Agricultural Sciences, which are engaged in research in agriculture and allied
areas, some of which are supported by the ICAR.
 B. Scientific Organizations:
 Many other scientific organizations either directly undertake research, or sponsor and support programmes
related to agriculture. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), through its network of National
Laboratories, provides research support.

 The Indian Council of Medical Research's (ICMR) research on the nutritional qualities of various agricultural
produce including toxicity and occupational health of agricultural workers.

 Some of the areas in which the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is actively engaged are the
development of newer varieties of crops and preservation of agricultural produce. The Indian Space Research
Organization (ISRO) is helping the research system to assess India's soil and water resources.

 The Department of Science and Technology (DST) promotes research on genetic engineering, post-harvest
technology, and areas of basic sciences supportive to agriculture.
 C. Private Sector:
 In mid 1960s, several private companies started programmes mainly to develop hybrid maize, sorghum and bajra. Research
on vegetables started in late 1960s. Private sector research is confined mainly to breeding crop hybrids, certain plantation
crops, agro-chemicals, poultry, and agricultural machinery.

 Several private companies are now engaged in the production of hybrid seeds of a variety of crops like cotton, sorghum, bajra,
maize, vegetables, red gram, rice, etc.

 Besides their own research stations, these companies conduct experiments on farmers' fields.

 They undertake major research and development programmes for the improvement of tractors and irrigation pumps. Research
on tractors seems to be primarily aimed at improving quality, fuel efficiency and engine durability.

 Some of the well-established institutions such as Allahabad Agricultural Institute, Bharatiya Agro-Industries Foundation,
Wool Research Association, supported by the ICAR.

 In order to promote scientific research and the participation of industry in it, the Government through the Income Tax Act of
1961 has offered certain tax concessions relating to the expenditure on scientific research.
 D. Linkages Among the Subsystems
 The ICAR, as the coordinating agency at the national level, has established close-working relationships
with the Agricultural Universities and other agencies in order to optimize resources and check avoidable
duplication.

 At the policy making level, the Vice-Chancellors of Agricultural Universities are represented in the
Governing Body, and in the Norms and Accreditation Committee of the ICAR. The senior level research
managers of the ICAR, in turn, are represented in the Management Boards of these Universities.

 Through the AICRPs and ad hoc research schemes, these Universities have established linkages with the
ICAR and Agricultural Universities subsystems.

 ICAR has also established close linkages with various scientific organizations like CSIR, ICMR, ISRO,
BARC, etc. through Joint Panels.
E. International Co-operation
 International co-operation has played a significant role in developing and strengthening the research
system in India. Many developed countries like USA, UK, USSR, Canada, various International
Agencies like FAO, UNDP, UNESCO, World Bank, etc.; have contributed extensively to the cause of
agricultural research in India.

 The Government has authorized ICAR, assisted by the DARE, to enter into bilateral co operative
agreements with several countries and agencies.

 The mode of collaboration normally follows the pattern of: (a) exchange of germplasm of plant and
animal origin; (b) exchange of scientific and technical information; (c) visits of scientists and experts;
(d) training of scientists; and (e) infrastructure development.
References
 Balaguru, T. and Raman, K.V. 1988. Agricultural Research System in India. In : Agricultural
Research Systems and Management in the 21st Century, Raman, K.V. et al. (Eds), NAARM
Alumni Association, Hyderabad.

 FAO. 1986. Agricultural Research Systems in the Asia - Pacific Region, RAPA Publication
No.17, Food and Agricultural Organization Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific,
Bangkok, Thailand.

 ICAR. 1982, National Agricultural Research Project (ICAR-IBRD) Manual, Indian Council
of Agricultural Research, New Delhi.

 Raman, K.V. and Balaguru, T. 1990. National Agricultural Research System in India. Journal
of Indian School of Political Economy 2(3):449-474.