The Government is promoting Research and Development (R&D) in the agricultural sector through Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) for increasing agricultural production. The budget of Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE) has increased from Rs. 7846.17 crores in 2019-20 to Rs. 9504 crores in 2023-24.

ICAR together with SAUs continuously engaged in agricultural research and development for providing solutions to the existing constraints in the farming sector. ICAR undertakes various programmes for promotion of agricultural production through Seed Hub projects, promotion of pulses and oilseeds, nutri-gardens, Climate Resilient Agriculture Initiative and Management of Natural Resources. All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs) of ICAR are responsible for development/testing/identification of technologies through multi-location trials while Agricultural Technology Application Research Institutes (ATARIs) work in the area of planning, monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the ICAR sponsored transfer of technology projects implemented through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).

The Government implements Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) scheme in different States of the Country with mandate of technology assessment and demonstration for its use and capacity development. As part of its activities, the KVKs impart training to the farmers, farm women and rural youth on different aspects of agriculture and allied sectors. The KVKs trained 19.53 lakh farmers and conducted 2,98,932 Front Line Demonstrations on Crop Production, Horticulture, Soil Health and Fertility Management, Livestock Production and Management, Home Science/Women empowerment, Agricultural Engineering, Plant Protection and Fisheries during 2022-23 for updating their knowledge and skill.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Arjun Munda in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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