ICAR Society

76^th AGM-2005

Address

Dr. Mangala Rai

Secretary, DARE, Govt. of India

&

Director General, I.C.A.R., New Delhi

Hindi Version

Hon’ble Union Minister for Agriculture, Food & Civil Supplies, Consumer affairs and Public Distribution and President of the ICAR Society, Shri Sharad Pawar Ji, Hon’ble Minister of State for Agriculture, Shri Kanti Lal Bhuria Ji, Hon’ble Ministers from States, distinguished members of the ICAR Society, Eminent Scientists, Ms. Shashi Misra, Secretary, ICAR, Dr (Ms) Rita Sharma, FA, DARE, DDGs and my colleagues from the Council, representatives of press and media, Ladies and Gentlemen!

It is with great pleasure that I welcome the President, and all the distinguished members of the ICAR Society to the 76^th Annual General Meeting. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the President of the Society, Shri Sharad Pawar Ji, for very kindly sparing his valuable time to Chair this important annual meeting. Sir, your vision, dynamism, able leadership, valuable advice, and encouragement have infused new enthusiasm, inspiration and confidence in the national agricultural research and education system to ably discharge its mandate towards development of agriculture in the country. I wish to avail of this opportunity to express our gratefulness to the Hon’ble Minister of State for Agriculture, Shri Kanti Lal Bhuria Ji, and esteemed members of the ICAR society for having made it convenient to attend this important meeting. We are extremely thankful to the Hon’ble Ministers of Agriculture/Horticulture/ Animal Husbandry/Fisheries from various states and the members of the Governing Body of the ICAR Society, who, as members of the ICAR Society, have continuously provided valuable suggestions, guidance, and support that have also been instrumental in successful execution of various programs of the ICAR. We are extremely thankful to representatives of the voluntary organizations and members of the Press and Media for their presence and express appreciation for the wide coverage provided by them to highlight various activities of the ICAR. I, on my personal behalf and behalf of the Council extend a warm welcome to each one of you.

I feel privileged to present before the august House some of the salient features of the progress and achievements in agricultural research, education and extension and the initiatives taken by the Council towards enhancing agricultural productivity, sustainability and profitability during the year.

The nation faced challenging situations due to natural vagaries like floods, late arrival of rains, and the most devastating Tsunami tidal waves in December 2004. In the Tsunami disaster, thousands of precious human lives were lost and property worth several crores of rupees was destroyed, causing unthinkable miseries and hardships. The Council participated vigorously in rehabilitation process of Tsunami victims working hand-in-hand with other Government Departments.

In this endeavour experts from Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) at Port Blair and several other Institutes of the Council immediately carried out assessment of the soil salinity and heavy metal toxicity in the Tsunami affected areas. Location specific measures for reclamation of soil and brackish water aquaculture in about 1000 ha of permanently inundated land were suggested. The CARI, Port Blair, committed its capability of meeting the entire technology backstopping for agricultural development suiting to different situations in the islands of the region.

The weather –watch group set up in the Council, regularly provided on-line advisories to the farmers on do’s and don’ts relevant to the agro-ecological zones in response to the prevailing weather conditions.

During the year a total of 4021.38 tonnes of breeder seeds i.e oilseeds (1811.57 tonnes), cereals (1469.54 tonnes), pulses (674.58 tonnes), forages (38.57 tonnes) and fibre crops (27.12 tonnes) were produced. Besides, additional breeder seeds were also produced against the indent of state level varieties.

The Zero Till Technology spread to nearly 1.5 million hectares resulted in a net annual resource saving of about Rs. 350 crores. It has great potential of saving from 10 mha in the Indo-Gangetic Plains and also in other cropping systems. The minimum tillage with crop residue mulch reduced runoff (14%) and soil loss (35%) substantially. Research conducted under Rice-Wheat Consortium in partnership with the National Agricultural research systems of India, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh and CG institutions-CIMMYT, ICRISAT, IRRI, CIP and IWMI bagged King Baudouin Award-2004 for outstanding research contributions.

In the beginning of the period under report the number of Krishi Vigyan Kendras stood at 323 and during the year the Council was able to establish 128 KVKs thus raising their number to 451 by March 2005. The number of KVKs now stands at 485.

The Council had launched the National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP) with support of the World Bank, in 1998. You will be pleased to know that the performance of NATP was adjudged as highly rewarding, in all its sub-components, by the Final Review Mission of the Bank. This is the only Project in Asia to receive such a good rating.

In order to attract and retain talented youth towards agricultural research and education, the rates of ICAR junior research fellowships and scholarships at Master’s and Ph.D level have been raised. The libraries of SAUs, ICAR Institutes and major regional stations in the country are networked to allow access to international information networks and also promote e-learning. The library network of ICAR has also been linked to information library network of UGC to enable sharing of information with general universities as well.

Four Referral Labs were established in the area of Pesticide Residue in Plant Products at IARI, New Delhi; Meat Quality Assurance at Bombay Veterinary College, Mumbai; Fisheries Technology at CIFT, Cochin; and Cotton Textile at CIRCOT, Mumbai for monitoring of pesticide residues, development of standards, certification of export commodities for international quality assurance for global competitiveness of our agricultural produce and to develop first rate human resource. Out of these labs, Meat Lab is accredited by APEDA, Fisheries Lab by European Union and Cotton Textile Lab by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) of the DST. All these labs have been equipped with the state of art facilities. The Council has also filed 52 applications for patents of new technologies.

The Council through its institutes generated internal resources amounting to Rs. 25.56 crore during 2003-04. A target of Rs. 56.85 crore was fixed against which the Council has realized Rs. 42.63 crores during the year 2004-05.

A National Agricultural Science Museum at the National Agricultural Science Centre complex, was dedicated to the nation in November 2004 by the Hon'ble President of India. It is a unique facility in the country that depicts chronologically the saga of Indian agriculture from its origin and evolution over time with futuristic outlook.

Some of the significant sector-wise achievements are :

Crop Science : As the collection, conservation and optimal use of plant genetic resources is a key requirement for developing improved varieties for realizing higher agricultural production on a sustainable basis, about 7,250 accessions of crops and their wild relatives were collected through 117 explorations. Nearly, 19,900 accessions of diverse crops and 41,600 samples of international trials were introduced from various countries. During the year, the National Seed Gene Bank has been enriched with over 24,690 accessions. 77,000 samples including 59 transgenics were processed for quarantine clearance and 192 phyto-sanitary certificates were issued for germplasm export. More than 620 varieties/landraces of 27 crops have been DNA fingerprinted. A checklist for potential quarantine pests of cereals has been prepared for India.

Development and release of improved crop varieties has further contributed towards sustained and increased production of field crops. In food crops, 15 varieties of rice, four varieties of wheat and one variety of barley have been released for commercial cultivation in different agro-ecologies. Thirteen varieties of maize, six varieties of sorghum and four varieties of pearl millet have been recommended for release. In forage crops, two varieties of oat and one variety each of Coix, Setaria and Guinea-grass have been identified for release.

In oilseeds, one variety of gobhi sarson and three varieties of niger have been released for cultivation. In addition, one variety of soybean, three varieties each of groundnut and mustard, nine hybrids of sunflower and one hybrid of castor have been identified for release. One hybrid of pigeonpea has been released for commercial cultivation. Besides, two varieties of pigeonpea, three varieties of mungbean, and one variety each of chickpea, lentil, pea and rajmash, have been identified for release in pulse crops. In arid legumes, one variety each of mothbean, cowpea and horsegram has been identified for release.

In commercial crops, two hybrids and four varieties of cotton have been notified for commercial cultivation. One variety each of sugarcane, tossa jute, white jute, sunnhemp and mesta has been identified for release. Transgenics with Cry genes were developed for further evaluation with insect-pest resistance in rice, cotton and pigeonpea. Diagnostic kits for virus diseases of citrus, potato and banana were also developed.

A number of bread and durum wheat genotypes identified were found rich in protein, β-carotene, iron and zinc. For the first time, a nested PCR assay has been developed for molecular detection of grassy shoot disease phytoplasma of sugarcane. Other major achievements in crops include: development of cost-effective eco- and user-friendly technology for ramie, isolation of a new virulent and heat-tolerant strain of Steinernema masoodi for management of chickpea pod-borer, preparation of interactive identification key to 41 important families of parasitoids and 25 families of insect-predators, sequencing of tubulin gene from Verticillium chalamydosporium, and the reduction of 20-23% Helicoverpa armigera larvae on chickpea by eight insectivorous bird species.

Horticulture : The Horticulture sector has established its credibility in improving productivity of land, bringing in much needed diversification of agriculture, generating employment, improving economic conditions of farmers and entrepreneurs, enhancing export potential, and above all, providing nutritional security. In citrus, nutrient diagnostics in relation to production levels were developed. Integrated pest management (IPM) modules effectively controlled the blackfly and psylla population in citrus.

In banana, unique accessions (Musa nagensium, M. itinerang and M. aurantiaca), two new natural intersectional diploids, a new natural mutant of M. velutina and an intermediary hybrid have been identified. A group of bio-agents and botanicals was developed for management of crown root disease in banana. Technologies of production of banana juice, fig, pickles, jam, sauce and health drinks were transferred to entrepreneurs through training. In sapota, softwood grafting during May-June was found to be a very effective method of propagation and is being followed by farmers in north Karnataka. Gynodioecious collections of papaya were superior in fruit quality characters and dioecious ones in yield characters.

Two selections of ber, two cultivars each of pomegranate and fig, and one variety of custard apple have been recommended for commercial cultivation. CIAH Hybrid 1 of ber has been developed and multiplied by patch budding. Halawy, Barkee, Khuneizi and Zaidi cultivars of date palm were found suitable for fresh consumption, while Medjool was suitable for dry dates consumption.

In vegetables and tubers, Pusa Samridhi, a selection of bottle gourd, and Arka Anupama variety of spinach have been released for cultivation. Besides, 22 varieties/hybrids (six each in tomato and brinjal, three in chilli, two in cauliflower and one each in bottle gourd, bitter gourd, Dolichos bean, cowpea and cucumber) have been identified for release in different parts of the country.

A heat-tolerant hybrid HT/92-621 of potato suitable for processing into French fries and chips has been recommended for cultivation in peninsular, coastal and for early planting in northwestern plains. In sweet potato, a selection 90/170 has been recommended for Orissa and a high carotene hybrid 80/168 has been proposed for release.

In-vitro mushroom fruiting was successfully achieved in two strains of Pleurotus spp. using amended wheat straw and saw dust. Cryopreservation protocol was developed and standardized for mycelia stalk cultures of 11 edible mushroom strains of six genera. The developed lyophilization protocol for the preservation of mushroom mycelia cultures proved better than the earlier methods used by the International Mycological Institute, England. True-to-the-types of medicinal mushroom, Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) were evaluated for fruiting and yield in summer and winter seasons.

Tissue culture protocols were standardized for plantlet production of coconut from plumular tissues and of arecanut from inflorescence tissues. A de-shelling machine was found very effective in reducing drying time and improving copra quality. Four varieties of black pepper and two varieties of turmeric have been proposed for release. Intercropping of isabgol with kalongi in 6:2 ratios proved to be most economically viable system in Malwa plateau. Two promising lines of safed musli were identified.

Bench grafting in aonla was highly successful (90%) and will ensure availability of ready-to-plant grafts well in time. Knowing the benefits of coconut intercropping, farmers have already started the cultivation of grasses, shade-loving vegetables, and rice seedling nurseries in interspaces of coconut crop.

Simple techniques were developed for manual extraction of custard apple pulp for preparing ice cream and for separation of ‘aonla’ by steaming the fruit in a pressure cooker.

Natural Resource Management: In research efforts under Natural Resource Management, soil maps of 12 districts in seven states were prepared for alternate land-use options and crop zoning, and the soil-erosion status map of Assam and Tripura was prepared for undertaking appropriate soil-conservation measures. Conservation measures were also developed for rehabilitation of degraded hillocks in the Eastern Ghats.

In different rainfed oilseed-based cropping systems, integrated nutrient management (INM) involving use of various sources of organic manures was effective in increasing yield. An integrated soil-water-atmosphere-plant model was developed for understanding irrigation requirement of wheat. The INM approach considerably reduced the nitrogen requirement of rainfed sorghum and greengram.

Research on soil salinity in coastal ecosystem led to sustenance of rice and wheat yields in reclaimed alkali soils, identification of causes and remedial measures for re-sodification of reclaimed sodic soils, possible use of urban and industrial effluents in agriculture, and improvement in water productivity in salt-affected irrigated lands with laser land leveling.

Under alternate land-use systems, agroforestry options were developed for rainy-season sorghum as the area under this crop is declining due to erratic rainfall. A Rural Bio-resource Centre was set up in a village of Nalgonda district, for mass propagation of the elite teak plants through multiplication in a shade house.

Aerobic rice-based cropping system was found more productive than transplanted rice-based cropping system. Green manuring with identified genotypes of Sesbania and Crotalaria increased the yield of rice-wheat system by 24%. In rice-wheat system, diversification options were worked out for improving productivity and resource-use efficiency to mitigate its second-generation problems in Indo-Gangetic plains. On-line database was developed for crops and cropping systems.

The control of obnoxious weed Parthenium with Mexican beetle led to restoration of native vegetation at several places in Madhya Pradesh. Single application of Fenoxaprop was highly effective in controlling barnyard grass. The interventions of Central Arid Zone Research Institute helped Rajasthan State Mineral Development Corporation in rehabilitating a wasteland, thereby increasing the greenery, control erosion, and providing means for livelihood support to the local people.

Animal science : As livestock sector is experiencing fast growth, its resources across regions and species have to be utilized optimally to achieve the goals of efficiency, equity, and sustainability. The Country Report on the status of Animal Genetic Resources of India was prepared. It provides an assessment of the country’s animal genetic resources and strategy for their optimum management. Introduction of Booroola fecundity gene in Malpura sheep through crossbreeding increased its prolificacy. Dahlem Red bird proved as an ideal resource population for exploring genes related to immunity and growth. Ex-situ conservation was undertaken for Nagori and Rathi cattle.

Produced 15080 Frieswal cows in collaboration with Military Farms having average lactation yield of 3069 kg . Milk production of more than 4,500 kg was also recorded in first lactation in Frieswal cows. In Murrah buffaloes, milk yield was over 4,000 kg in 305 days or less. Black Bengal goats were found highly prolific, as multiple births were quite high (73.78%).

Piggery and poultry are considered crucial for diversification of agriculture, especially for the benefit of small, marginal and landless framers in rural and peri-urban areas. A baseline survey on pig production status was completed in eastern states. A broiler cross from PAU, Ludhiana could attain 2,005 g body weight at 7 weeks of age and dwarf gene was introgressed into naked neck line to realize effects of both genes in broiler.

Antigenic and molecular make-up was completed in the repository of 1,171 isolates of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus. Soft wares were developed for forecasting animal diseases based on weather. Vaccine developed against Pasteurella multocida serotypes B:2 and A:1 provided protection for six months. A potent vaccine was developed to protect sheep against bluetongue disease. Bio-climatographs were prepared to depict interrelationship between weather and prevalence of various gastrointestinal parasites. Worm-control programme was developed to minimize the frequency of anthelmintic drenching in different zones.

Techniques were developed for the detection of bovine diarrhea virus (Haemonchus contortus) and gastrointestinal parasites. Involvement of fowl adenovirus-12 in causation of litchi disease (IBH-HPS) is the first report in the country. Development of patentable inventions included thermostable immuno-prophylactic agent against IBD, vaccine against egg drop syndrome-76, method for diagnostic kit for forecasting equine herpes virus-1, and COFEB-kit for diagnosis of Babesia equi infection.

Supplementation of vegetable residue (up to 60%) of high quality roughage did not show adverse effects in cattle. Addition of mustard or groundnut oil could reduce methane production in cattle. Animals when fed chaffed restricted rice straw showed 20 % less energy expenditure than those fed unchaffed rice straw. Economical rations and complete feeds resulted in better digestive efficiency in buffaloes. A low-cost feed-pelleting machine was developed. A sheep flock, maintained on degraded rangeland, when fed on tree leaves during the lean period, sustained their performance. Cost of egg production was found less in birds when these were fed on pearl millet diet. Reduction in the intensity of leg abnormality in birds was observed on giving diet containing cholecalciferol or edible-stemmed vine (Cissus quadrangularis) plant-meal. Sunflower and soybean oil could counter the adverse effect of aflatoxin in the diet of birds. Complete feed blocks were developed for feeding of animals during scarcity and drought conditions and also developed area specific mineral mixture to compensate the deficiency of minerals.

Testicular and semen evaluation proved effective in identification of potential breeding bulls. Heat-stress eliminating methods were effective in improving the semen production in cattle. First goat kid was born through in-vitro fertilized embryo. Twenty-four transferable embryos were flushed out from single Garole sheep, the highest figure from any sheep breed in tropical environment. In birds, induction of concurrent maturation of oviduct improved the egg production. Immuno-modulation of prolactin hormone could increase the egg production in birds. Seven strains suitable for backyard poultry farming were developed.

A rapid coliform test was developed for the detection of coliforms in milk and milk products. Methods were standardized for preparation of products from milk of camel, yak and mithun. Economical value-added products were developed from spent hen, chicken gizzard, and pork skin; and were found acceptable to customer. Optimum concentration of organic acids was determined to reduce microbial concentration in meat, as some countries allow use of only these acids.

Fisheries : Fisheries sector stimulates growth of a number of subsidiary industries and provides a vital source of low-priced and nutritious foods, besides earning good foreign exchange and providing nutritional security to the country. Oil sardine recorded an all-time annual landing with an increase of 9.6%. Under inland sector, 33.4% increased fish yield was recorded from the Hooghly-Matlah estuarine system because of higher yield of hilsa.

In culture fisheries, important achievements have been the successful cryopreservation of spermatozoa from dead carps, development of eco-friendly cage culture for rearing fry and fingerlings in reservoirs, and development of kits for diagnosis of bacterial diseases in freshwater fishes. A product, CIFACURE, was also developed for controlling bacterial and fungal infections in ornamental fishes. In cold-water fisheries, a well-balanced diet was formulated for juveniles of golden mahaseer. Ecological status of high mountain Himalayan lakes was studied to promote fish rearing.

Research efforts in brackishwater aquaculture led to the development of a technique for captive breeding of kuruma shrimp for providing quality broodstock, evolvement of immunodiagnostics for detection of fish pathogens, and development of a diagnostic kit for Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus. The work in mariculture resulted in: successful breeding of doctor shrimp, breakthrough in captive breeding and larvae production in sand lobster for the first time in the country, and production of good-quality image pearls from flat oyster (hitherto considered a pest). In fish genetics, observation of significant increase in the DNA damage frequency when exposed with genotoxic pollutants, development of DNA probe and hybridization techniques for detection of shellfish pathogens, and establishment of live gene banks for threatened or endangered fish species are important achievements.

In post-harvest technology, protocol for quality assurance of processed freshwater scampi (M. rosenbergii) and package of practices for value-added ready-to-serve products were developed. In Island development programme, results indicated a good scope for gill nets on the Agatti Island in Lakshadweep.

Agricultural engineering : Laser-guided leveller and banana sucker were the implements developed under tractor-operated machinery. Chipper shedder and lightweight power tiller chipper were fabricated as power tiller-operated machinery. Eight-row pre-germinated rice seeder and engine-operated sugarcane leaf stripper were developed under self-propelled and stationary machinery respectively.

Calibration of tractor-operated PAU two-row vegetable transplanter and prototype feasibility testing of MPKV (Rahuri) planter and pneumatic planter were done. Feasibility testing of PAU walking sprayer and rice transplanter under the self-propelled machinery, CRIDA bullock-drawn groundnut-planter and CIAE animal-drawn inclined plate planter as the animal-drawn machinery, and power weeder under stationery machinery was also carried out satisfactorily.

A pedal-operated potato slicer was developed. As less-skilled people in rural and semi-urban areas use the CIAE developed dal mill, its design was refined. Candies and bars were prepared from mango, guava, banana and pineapple with different combinations of soymilk, soy-flour, cashewnut, grape-raisin and groundnut kernel, and their production at pilot-plant scale was found economical. New puffed potato cubes, step-wise expanding pitch fruit grader, starter to be used for hydration of soybean and sunflower seeds, colour meter to measure mango maturity, custard-apple pulper and a new technique of processing mustard seeds were also developed.

A biopesticide Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki suppressed 71-86% Eublemma amabilis and 78-89% Pseudohypatopa pulverea, the major predators of lac. A blend ratio of 50:50 sisal: jute could be processed for making shiny and lustrous wrappers and upholsteries with very high aesthetic value. Scrubber, another product of the blend, proved eco-friendly and can replace synthetic counterparts. A laboratory-scale high-rate biomethane technology was developed for treatment of effluents of sago-industries.

A light-sensitive solar tracker was developed to orient solar devices towards the Sun to maximize solar energy harvest. A solar photovoltaic winnower-cum-dryer was fabricated for efficient winnowing of grains, spices and other agricultural produce, and for dehydrating fruits and vegetables. Plastic mulching machine, castor sheller, groundnut stripper and vegetable preservator were also developed. Twenty-eight feasible technologies/designs were facilitated for adoption by farmers and industries.

Agricultural Education: For human resource development, the ICAR provided financial support to the State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) for the development of under-graduate and post-graduate programmes to expand and improve quality and utility in agricultural education and training. The ICAR Accreditation Board granted accreditation to two Deemed-to-be Universities (DUs) and eight SAUs to assure and sustain high quality agricultural education.

During the year, students from 24 foreign countries were admitted in various degree programmes in ICAR-DUs/SAUs. In Summer/Winter Schools/Short Courses and Centres of Advanced Studies (CAS), 2,925 scientists or faculty members were trained in diverse disciplines of agriculture and allied sciences. Eighteen scientists from ICAR Institutes/SAUs were deputed abroad for developing core competence in biotechnology. The National Talent Scholarship was awarded to 230 candidates, and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) was given to 456 candidates. The ICAR has enhanced the scholarship at Master’s level, Ph.D. level and for students of the four DUs. Guidelines have been rationalized for National Professor Scheme.

The National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM) trained 1,354 officials from the ICAR, SAUs and other institutions and organizations, besides conducting two international training programmes under ICAR-CARP (Sri Lanka) Plan.

Agricultural Extension: 128 new Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) were established during the year 2004-05. Presently, there are more than 480 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and, 76 Technology Assessment and Refinement through Institution-Village Linkage Programme (TAR-IVLP) centres and 44 Agricultural Technology and Information Centres (ATICs). Through these institutional mechanisms, a number of steps were taken to bridge the gap between the technology developed at the research institutions and its adoption at the field through KVKs, TAR-IVLP centres and ATICs.

The ATICs provided 736.3 tonne seeds of improved varieties, 0.79 million planting materials, 4.03 million packets of biofertilizers and biopesticides and, 15,405 implements to farmers. Besides, the processed products to end-users and printed and electronic information material to farmers and stakeholders were made available. Advisory services were also provided to 342,634 farmers and other users. KVKs organized 30,517 training programmes, benefiting 610,000 farmers and farmwomen, 130,000 rural youth and 68,708 in-service personnel. For acceleration of the technology dissemination process, Kisan melas, discussion fora, advisory services and diagnostic film shows were arranged.

The KVKs also took up on-farm testing of 607 farm technologies. 32,340 frontline demonstrations, covering 119,260 ha area, were conducted to demonstrate the potential of newly released production technologies on oilseeds, pulses and other crops, besides carrying out 3,337 demonstrations on livestock production and management. At KVKs, 7,490.73 tonne seeds of cereals, oilseeds, pulses and vegetables, spices, medicinal and aromatic plants, ornamental and plantation crops, and forest species; and 958,670 livestock strains were produced and made available to the farmers. Significant impact of KVK technological interventions is also visible in villages in terms of rainwater harvesting, empowerment of rural and tribal women through income generation activities, dairying as sustainable enterprise for women, reclamation of sodic land, off-season vegetable production, backyard poultry and revival of ginger cultivation in different states.

Technology interventions (2,219) through IVLP were undertaken in selected production systems under five agro-ecosystems with major focus on NRM, IPM, biodiversity, IPNM, PHT and value-addition, water management and socio-economics. Under Mission Mode Project on Documentation of Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK), Now, 4,033 ITKs are documented and published.

Tribal & Backward Areas : Major emphasis was given on agricultural research for the benefit of tribal and hilly regions. Four varieties (one each of wheat, rice, finger millet and garlic) were released from the Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Shala, Almora for Northwestern hills. Twenty-seven genotypes of wheat, resistant to different diseases, were also identified. Hybrid Napier proved to be the best grass for fodder production as well as for terrace stabilization in hills. A cost-effective and user-friendly light trap was developed for white-grub beetles. A lightweight seed-cum-fertilizer drill for the sowing of wheat, barley, rice and pulses was developed for hilly soils. Kodomillet-soybean rotation was found acceptable in tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh.

Research conducted at the Central Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair recommended cultivation of a very early rice variety Heera followed by medium-duration varieties in double cropping system. This could replace the low-yielding rice variety C 14-8. Mapping population of IR 29 x Pokkali to tag salt-tolerant genes, and the aluminium- and iron-toxicity tolerant rice using somaclonal variation were developed. A compendium on biodiversity of mangrove ecosystem of Andaman’s was brought out. Important findings in livestock are: suitability of ILI 80 (M) x Brown Nicobari (F) progeny for backyard farming, standardization of housing and management conditions for Japanese quails in islands, higher adult body weight of chicken (M) x quail (F) crosses for commercial purpose, and standardization and popularization of poultry products and post-harvest technologies.

At the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam the developed agri-horti-silvi-pastoral model followed by agriculture-based land-use system could reduce soil loss with in-situ water retention. Sloping agricultural land-use technology seemed suitable for restoration of jhum fallow or degraded lands in eastern Himalayas. Identification of disease and moisture stress-tolerant tomato, development of immunodiagnostic kit for rapid diagnosis of gastro-intestinal parasites from infected animals and standardization of PCR-based diagnostic protocols for Clostridium, Pasteurella and Salmonella are some other major achievements.

The Council has filed 52 applications for patents of new technologies, and assigned 31 technologies to the National Research and Development Corporation for commercialization. Awards were bestowed in 12 different categories to honour 42 scientists and their associates, four institutions, two All-India Co-ordinated Research Projects, three farmers and one agricultural journalist. The Council has also enhanced the prize money from Rs 100,000 to Rs 500,000 for Sardar Patel Outstanding Institution Award; and from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 for Bharat Ratna Dr C. Subramaniam Award for outstanding teacher. Financial assistance was provided to 46 scientific societies for bringing out journals, and 27 societies and academic universities for conducting seminars/symposia/conferences.

International cooperation : The DARE and ICAR have been operating Partnership and Linkages at national and international level through Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)/Work Plans, Training Courses, Exchange Visits, etc. Three MoUs were signed between the Govt. of India and Kingdom of Morocco; the ICAR and International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi; and the National Centre for Agricultural Economics and Policy Research and Asian Development Bank. Five Work Plans were signed by ICAR with the Agricultural Research Centre, Egypt; International Centre for Tropical Agriculture, International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, International Water Management Institute, and the World Fish Centre for scientific and technical co-operation in the field of agriculture and education. Under international linkages, five projects were approved/initiated. Delegations led by the President of Tajik Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Tajikistan; Agriculture Minister of Bhutan; Governor of Henan, China; and Director-General of Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization, Ethiopia besides others visited India. Indian scientists/technicians visited foreign countries to understand their recent advances in agriculture and allied subjects. An Indo-Iran joint workshop was held on Drought Management.

Information and Publications : The Directorate of Information and Publications of Agriculture (DIPA) brought out 48 publications in English and 15 in Hindi. Two research journals viz. The Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences and The Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, and semi-technical magazines/newsletters viz. Indian Horticulture, Phal-Phool, Krishi Chayanika, ICAR Reporter, ICAR News and ARIS News were printed on time. Indian Farming and Kheti also brought out special issues on World Food Day, World Environment Day and on International Year of Rice, 2004. The DIPA adopted Digital Designing Process and developed CDs on on-going ICAR projects. It organized and participated in exhibitions and earned more than Rs 4 million through the sale of publications and advertisements. The Agricultural Research Information Centre developed database covering the bibliographical details of all research information published in India in the field of agriculture and allied sciences. The DIPA has procured information on 3,500 inputs and added this to the National Agricultural Research Database.

The Council has received a very positive response from its institutions and all the stakeholders. It is the continued endeavour of ICAR and DARE to make agricultural research, education and extension more and more responsive to development needs of the nation.

I express my gratitude once again to the Hon’ble President of the ICAR Society, Shri Sharad Pawar Ji, the Minister of State Shri Kanti Lal Bhuria Ji and all Members of the Society for making it convenient to attend this meeting. With your continued support, guidance and cooperation, I am sure the Council will continue to generate appropriate technologies and develop first rate human resources to ensure science led growth of agriculture in the years ahead and contribute in ushering overall national prosperity.

Thank you !

BACK