Glimpse of ICAR Achievements 2009

To contain crop loss due to droughts and floods, developed new varieties of rice capable of withstanding drought (Sahbhagi Dhan) and water submergence (Swarna-Sub 1). The latter can survive for 14 days under water.
To ward off threat to wheat production from the globally spreading menace of wheat stem rust, Ug99, resistant varieties (DBW 17, PBW 550, Lok 1, and Turja) identified.
Overall, 147 new and better varieties of major crops developed for cultivation under different agro-climatic conditions.
In potato, dry matter-rich variety Kufri Frysona developed for making French Fries.
To promote use of better seeds, ICAR produced and distributed 7340 tonnes of breeder seeds and over 25 lakh planting materials.
Zinc solublizing bacterial bio-fertilizer developed to alleviate zinc deficiency in soils.
Cloned and surviving buffalo calf, GARIMA, produced for faster multiplication of selected highly productive animals.
For Bird Flu diagnosis, High Security Animal Disease Laboratory, Bhopal, conferred OIE-international recognition.
For year-round rearing of Indian carp (fish), technique developed for off-season spawning.
For culturing seabass, open sea cage farming technology developed.
International Award-winning device designed to reduce by-catch and juvenile fish trapping in trawl nets.
International fellowship scheme initiated for Doctoral programme in India and abroad.
Introduced revised curricula and syllabi for 95 disciplines in Master’s and 80 disciplines in Doctoral programmes.
Introduced 368 e-courses for degree programmes; created repository of 3,852 e-theses; and provided online access to 1,088 research journals in 126 libraries.
To strengthen scientific human resource, 773 vacant scientific positions filled by completing appointment process.
Tractor-mounted cumin planter developed to save 30% seed.
For pomegranate, motorized aril extractor developed with 94% separation efficiency and 500 kg/hour capacity.
For commercial-scale groundnut milk production, processing technology and equipment developed having 250 litre per day capacity.
Assessed and refined 2,337 improved farm technologies through 26,028 on-farm trials to ascertain their suitability to specific locations, for enhancing productivity and profitability.
15 lakh farmers, rural youth and extension workers trained for skill development through 56,000 training programmes.
Greater awareness about protection of intellectual property resulted in filing of 93 IPR applications.
To promote production-to-consumption chains for maximizing farmers’ profits, 51 models developed for different agricultural commodities.
Introduced 36 models of technological innovation-based sustainable rural livelihood initiatives in 102 of 150 most disadvantaged districts, benefitting 50,000 farm families.
For wider dissemination of agricultural information, The Handbook of Agriculture updated and partnership built with national knowledge network for high speed internet connectivity.