Government Organizations and Research Institutes
Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR)
Address:Krishi Bhavan
Town/City:Delhi
Pin Code:110001
Tel. No.:(+91) 11-3382534
Fax No.:(+91) 11-3384773
Email:rsp@icar.delhi.nic.in
Website:www.nic.in.icar

Organisational Structure
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is an autonomous apex body responsible for the Organisation and management of research and education in the fields of Agriculture, Animal Sciences, and Fisheries in India. The Headquarters of the ICAR are located in Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi. The Minister for Agriculture is the President of the ICAR. Its principal executive officer is the Director General. He is also Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) which was set up to provide the requisite linkage with the Central and State Government agencies and to look after international cooperation. The Director General of the ICAR functions as the Principal Adviser to the Government of India in all matters concerning agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries. In scientific matters the Director General is assisted by 8 Deputy Director Generals - each in charge of a Division i.e.(i) Crop Sciences, (ii) Horticulture, (iii) Natural Resource Management (iv) Agricultural Engineering, (v) Animal Sciences, (vi) Fisheries, (vii) Agricultural Education and (viii) Agricultural Extension. The Deputy Director Generals are responsible for the institutes and projects in their respective fields. In administration, the Director-General is assisted by the Secretary (who is also the Joint Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Agricultural Research and Education), Directors of Personnel, Finance and Works and other administrative officers and staff at different levels. The Joint Secretary (Finance) in the DARE is the principal financial adviser in matters of finance. In matters relating to publications, publicity and information, the Director-General is assisted by the Officer on Special Duty, Directorate of Information and Publications of Agriculture.

Research Programs
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture, is apex scientific organisation at national level and well known internationally. To fulfil its mission , the ICAR has set itself to achieve the following mandate:

  • To plan, undertake, aid, promote and coordinate education, research and its application in agriculture, animal sciences, fisheries, agroforestry, home science and allied sciences;
  • To act as a clearing house for research and general information relating to agriculture, animal husbandry, fishery, agroforestry, home science and allied sciences through its publications and information system and instituting and promoting transfer of technology programmes;
  • To provide, undertake and promote consultancy services in the field of research, education, training and dissemination of information in agriculture, animal science, fisheries, agro-forestry, home science and other allied sciences;
  • To look into the problems relating to broader areas of rural development concerning agriculture, including post harvest technology by developing cooperative programmes with other Organizations such as the Indian Council of Social Science Research, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, State Agricultural Universities etc;
  • To do other things considered necessary to attain the objectives of the Society.

Agricultural Research Organizations in India

  • Central Agricultural Research Institute
  • Indian Agricultural Research Institute
  • Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering
  • Central Arid Zone Research Institute
  • Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture
  • Central Institute of Fisheries Education
  • Central Inland Capture Fisheries Research Institute
  • Central Institute of Fisheries Technology
  • Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture
  • Central Institute for Cotton Research
  • Central Institute for Research on Goats
  • Central Institute for Sub-Tropical Horticulture
  • Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture
  • Central Soil Salinity Research Institute
  • Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute
  • Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI)
  • National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources
  • National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources
  • National Dairy Research Institute

Central Institute for Research on Goats (CIRG)
 The Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bereilly,  opened a center  after taking  charge of  "Bull Rearing  Farm", Makhdoom, Mathura  from  Dept. of Animal  Husbandry, Uttar Pradesh State in the month of Dec. 1975. Subsequently,  on 12th July 1979, it was given status of 'National Goat Research Center'. During 1981, the Center was awarded national status by Indian Council of Agricultural Research,  New Delhi and was named as 'Central Institute for Research on Goats'. The Institute is dedicated to research and development of goats in India.

Central Inland Capture Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) The Central Inland Capture Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) is the oldest premier research institution in the field of inland fisheries research and training in India. Established initially as Central Inland Fisheries Research Station by the Govt. of India at Calcutta in 1947, it assumed the status of an Institute and shifted to Barrackpore (North 24-Parganas, West Bengal) in 1959. The Institute came under the administrative control of Indian Council of Agricultural Research in October 1967.

Objectives
The main objective of the Institute till 1987 (Sixth Plan) had been to conduct investigation for proper appraisal of inland fisheries resources in the country, and to evolve suitable methods for their conservation and optimum utilization. During this period the successful implementation of four major projects on Composite fish culture; Riverine Fish Seed prospecting; Air breathing fish culture and Ecology and fisheries management of reservoirs proved to be the turning point in inland fisheries and freshwater aquaculture in India.
The major technologies developed by the Institute till 1987 are:

  • Fish seed prospecting from rivers
  • Fish seed transportation
  • Induced breeding and nursery management of carps
  • Bundh breeding of Chinese carps
  • Composite fish culture
  • Air breathing fish culture
  • Aquatic weed control
  • Fishery management of reservoirs
  • Integrated Farming System
  • Brackishwater fish farming

Reorganisation & the Revised Mandate
At the begining of Seventh Plan (1987), three more Institutes were carved out from this institute viz., Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) and National Research Centre on Cold Water Fisheries (NRCCWF). The original institute was rechristened as Central Inland Capture Fisheris Research Institute and the mandate modified, giving emphasis on capture fisheries resources of the country. It is presently mandated to:

  • Study fish population dynamics of exploitable inland water bodies exceeding 10 ha in water area.
  • Evolve management systems for optimizing fish production from such water bodies.
  • Investigate causes, effects and remedies of their degradation/pollution and provide research support for utilization for conservation of such resources.
  • Study the impact of river valley projects on the fisheries of the basins concerned and evolve strategies for their management.
  • Act as national data centre on inland fisheries
  • Conduct training and provide extension/consultancy services.

The research activities of the Institute are organised in seven Divisions (Riverine, Reservoir, Floodplain Wetlands, Estuarine, Environmental Monitoring & Fish Health Protection, Hilsa, Resource Assessment). In addition there are eight sections at the Institute Headquarters providing necessary support to the Research Divisions. They are for Economics, Extension, Engineering, Library, Project Monitoring & Documentation, Technical Cell, Administration and Audit.

Besides the Institute Headquarters at Barrackpore, there are presently eleven research centres (Guwahati, Allahabad, Karnal, Vadodara, Hoshangabad, Bangalore, Alapuzzha, Coimbatore, Eluru, Malda and Calcutta) and four survey centres (Lalgola, Canning, Diamond- Harbour, Uluberia).
 
Technology
Technologies developed during Seventh & Eighth Plan
The Institute has been able to develop following technologies during this period. All these technologies have an accent on environmental conservation and sustainable development of the resources.

  • Fisheries management of small reservoirs.
  • Environmental impact assessment vis-a-vis fisheries.
  • Estimation of inland fisheries resources and production.
  • Artificial fecundation and hatchery of hilsa.
  • Pen culture in floodplain wetland.

Besides these technologies CIFRI has valuable data base for developing management norms for fishery in open water systems on the following aspects.

  • Ecology and fisheries of major river systems of India.
  • Impact of Farakka barrage on ecology and fishery of Hooghly Matlah estuary as well as on migration and fishery of Hilsa in Ganga River System.
  • Biological features of commercially important riverine and estuarine fish species.
  • Production functions and their interactions in floodplain wetlands.
  • Various fish diseases and their pathogens, methods for fish stress diagnosis.

Training
The Institute is identified as one of the nodal agency to cater to the training needs on various aspects of inland fisheries in Asia, Latin America and Africa. It conducts ad-hoc training courses regularly on various aspects of inland fisheries for benefit of worker within the country and abroad.CIFRI is an internationally recognised research facility in inland fisheries and has expertise on a wide range of specialized subjects related to fisheries.

Consultancies
It has an impressive record of consultancy services rendered to various organisation in India and abroad.The Institute undertakes consultancy assignments on :

  • Feasibility studies for fisheries development of lakes and reservoirs
  • Environmental Impact Assessment for Resource Management
  • Fisheries Resource surveys
  • Techno-economic appraisals for fisheries projects.

Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering (CIAE)
Historical Background:
Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering was established on Feb. 15, 1976 during the Fifth Five Year Plan to address research issues related to agricultural engineering. Initially, research and developed work related to farm machinery, post harvest technology and energy in agriculture, were taken up. Keeping with functional utility, the Divisions at the Institute were reorganized and two additional divisions namely Agro Industrial Extension and Instrumentation were created during VII plan. The Divisions were further reorganized and   an additional division of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering was created.

Mandate
To conduct research and development to facilitate agricultural mechanisation, conserve soil and water through land development and efficient irrigation and drainage equipment, post-harvest and value addition of agro waste produce and efficient utilization of renewable and non-renewable sources of energy in agriculture, information dissemination in technology transfer through training, demonstration and prototype production and supply.

Objectives

  • Undertake basic, applied and adaptive research leading to a development, improvement of equipment, technology, process for crop production, irrigation and drainage, post-harvest technology and processing, and energy-use in agriculture and rural industries.
  • Develop hardware and technology in cooperation with other ICAR Institutes in the area of crops, horticulture, aquaculture and animal husbandry for production and processing.
  • Provide leadership and co-ordinate network of research with state agricultural universities for generating location-specific technologies.
  • Provide input to ICAR on policy intervention with respect to agricultural mechanization, energy management in agriculture, irrigation and drainage and post harvest technology.
  • Provide consultancy and undertake sponsored research from industry and other organization.
  • Act as a repository of information on agricultural engineering.
  • Act as a Center for training in research methodologies and technology and conduct post graduate education programme leading to Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Agricultural Engineering.
  • Collaborate with relevant national and international agencies in achieving the above objectives.

Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE)
Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), the only Deemed University for fisheries in India, is the institution of higher learning for fisheries science. CIFE has over four decades of leadership in HRD with its alumni fuelling the development of fisheries and aquaculture world wide, and has notable research and technological advancements to its credit.CIFE offers Masters and PhD programs in specialised branches of fisheries, undertakes cutting edge research, conducts capacity enhancement programs, and provides technical support and consultancy to development agencies, fishers, farmers and entrepreneurs. With a team of dedicated scientists and state-of-art infrastructure facilities, CIFE is actively partnering the knowledge led revolution in order to create fisheries and aquaculture based sustainable rural livelihoods and to ensure food and nutritional security for all.

The Mandate

  • To conduct education and research programmes leading to post - graduate(M.F.Sc.) and doctoral (Ph.D.) degrees in specialised disciplines of fisheries science and technology.
  • To conduct capsule courses for catering to the refresher training needs of fisheries development and extension personnel.
  • To conduct basic research in frontier areas of fisheries science and technology through institutional and collaborative efforts.
  • To conduct need based capsule /vocational training on various technologies related to fisheries and allied disciplines.
  • To provide institutional support for consultancy and participation in sponsored projects and programmes with other institutions and agencies for fisheries research in inland, coastal and marine ( both within EEZ and beyond)

Directorate of Wheat Research (DWR)
All India Co-ordinated Wheat Improvement Project(AICWIP) established in 1965 by ICAR was elevated to level of Directorate of Wheat Research (DWR) in 1978.In 1990 DWR was delinked from IARI and shifted to the present location at KARNAL, at a distance of 130 KM. North of New Delhi. Mission: Enhancing the Productivity and Profitability of Wheat and Barley on Ecologically Sustainable Basis.

The Mandate

  • Evolve, organize, coordinate and monitor multi-locational research for developing and identifying superior high yielding varieties tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses under varied agro-climatic zones.
  • Collect, evaluate, catalogue, maintain and share working collections with a focus on identifying suitable donors for different stresses and quality attributes
  • Develop appropriate crop production procedure and technology for wheat based cropping systems to optimize resource utilization in a sustainable manner
  • Monitor the rust pathogen dynamics and develop technology to mitigate crop losses due to pests
  • Establish national and international linkages for strengthening wheat and barley improvement programme
  • Provide off-season nursery facility for rapid generation advancement and seed multiplication
  • Serve as a core facility for proper data analysis and information management
  • Coordinate and organize breeder seed production and technology transfer activities

The Thrust
Crop improvement

  • Organize and monitor trials/nurseries for different production conditions
  • Combine short duration, adaptation, blight resistance, heat tolerance for late planting
  • Pre-breeding aided with related species for yield components, quality traits, biotic and abiotic stresses
  • Organize and produce breeder seed of recommended varieties Improve barley and durum for domestic and industrial usage
  • Augment, maintain and evaluate germplasm to identify and catalogue genetic resources
  • Marker aided selection for crop improvement
  • Develop technology to exploit heterosis
  • Generate new variability through transgenics

Resource Management

  • Increase Productivity through optimization of resources (soil, water and inputs).
  • Sustain productivity advances under intensive agriculture.
  • Water use efficiency and weed control.

Crop Protection and Health

  • Identify new sources of resistance and their correct incorporations.
  • Management of karnal bunt, leaf blight and soil borne pathogens and diseases.
  • Conduct surveillance on major diseases/pests.
  • Map the dynamics of wheat rust virulence.
  • Integrated Pest Management under wheat based cropping systems.

Quality and Basic Sciences

  • Improve the domestic quality attributes of bread wheat and durum wheat.
  • Incorporate the industrial quality in bread wheat.
  • Study the occurrence and management of yellow berry in durum.

Statistics and Social Sciences

  • Understand the factors influencing production, marketing and trade.
  • Effective communication for reducing the yield gap.
  • Create and analyse data/information base.

The Service Functions

Regional Station, Flowerdale, Shimla:

  • National facility to map rust pathogens, virulence dynamics and culture collection
  • Genetics/cytogenetics of rust resistance.

Summer Nursery, Lahaul and Wellington(IARI):

  • National facility to advance the generation and seed multiplication
  • Evaluation of elite materials against stresses

The Linkages
International:CIMMYT, ICARDA, ACIAR, USDA, IRRI, SAARC
National:NCL(CSIR), ARI-Pune(DST), DBT, APEDA, SAU's, Ministry of Agriculture, Agro industry, NGO's etc.

The Structure
In a 65 acre land, the Directorate of Wheat Research has a research complex to accommodate five specialized disciplines for supporting activities related with crop improvement, resource management, crop protection and health, quality and basis sciences, statistics and social sciences under the leadership of Project Director. The mandate crops are wheat (bread wheat, durum, khapli), barley (6 row and 2 row) and triticale. Against the cadre strength 60, presently 43 scientists are working on 13 research projects. In addition, some schemes are also run by funding through NATP, DBT and AP Cess Funds etc. The Directorate is guided and supported in its endeavor by the Management Committee. There are 30 funded centres under AICWIP and 7 under Barley Network which are operated from Karnal.

The Facilities
The research complex at the Directorate has well developed laboratories for PCR based molecular biology, quality attributes aided with NIR, tissue culture, physiology, soil biology and nematology. The genetic resource unit has a module for germplasm conservation and net houses to raise related species. A battery of glass houses and polythene tunnels helps in creating epiphytotics for disease analysis. The field research is aided with Wintersteiger seeders, several tillage machines and different kinds, threshers. A semi automatic seed processing plant helps in raising quality seed. A museum depicting history and development of wheat research through electronic gadgets and a hall of 140 seat capacity are part of the communication centre. The computer unit has INTERNET for rapid data analysis and information management.

Germplasm collection: The germplasm repository established for medium term storage of active collections is presently holding 4620 indigenous and 2379 exotic wheat collections.

Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI)
 The  Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) is established in 1916 and later brought under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) during 1970. The initial mandate of the institute was on crop husbandry of coconut, arecanut, cocoa, oilpalm, cashew and spices.  The restructuring process during  VII and VIII Plan resulted in the establishment of separate Research Institute/Centres for Spices, Cashew and Oilpalm, but the  institute continue to maintain strong linkage with these institutes.  At present the Institute has a countrywide research network of four regional stations, four research centres  and 17 Centres under AICRP on palms.  Besides, the institute also hosts the headquarter of  Indian Society of Plantation Crops.

The Mandate

  • To develop appropriate production, protection and processing technologies for coconut, arecanut and cocoa through basic and applied research.
  • To act as a national repository for the genetic resources of these crops.
  • To produce parental lines and breeders’ stock of plantation crops.
  • To develop improved palm based cropping/farming systems through more effective use of natural resources to increase productivity and income from unit area
  • To collect, collate and disseminate information on the mandate crops to all concerned.
  • To co-ordinate research on these crops within the country and execute the research programmes under the All India.
  • Co-ordinated Research Project on Palms
  • To transfer technologies developed at CPCRI to the farmers through the co-operation of developmental departments

Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (ICAR)
Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR) is a constituent institution under the aegis of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The project has been envisaged as a national network of multidisciplinary research on the improvement of the major vegetable crops. To give a fillip to the Research and to meet the future challenges of the country, at present the IIVR has 7 main centres, 18 sub centres and 31 voluntary centres to undertake the co-ordinated research project. Besides at Varanasi, the headquarter, it has the activities of basic, strategic and applied research on vegetable improvement, biotechnology, production, protection and seed production programme.

The Mandate

  • To undertake basic, strategic and applied research for developing technology to enhance production of vegetable crops.
  • To provide scientific leadership and coordinate network research with State Agricultural Universities for solving location scientific problems of vegetable  production.
  • To act as national repository of scientific information relevant to vegetable crops.
  • To collaborate with relevant national and international agencies for achieving the above mandate.
  • To act as a centre for training for upgradation of scientific manpower in vegetable crops.
  • To provide consultancy in the vegetable research & development.
  • To disseminate the scientific information to the farmers.

Major Projects
All India Coordinated Vegetable Improvement Project

  • National Seed Project
  • Integrated Pest Management
  • Promotion of Hybrids in Vegetables

National Agricultural Technology Projects

Development of hybrids in vegetable crops.

  • Development of disease and insect resistance superior varieties in tomato, eggplant, cabbage and cauliflower
  • Collection, evaluation and characterization of vegetable genetic resources
  • Development of residue free IPM package for vegetables
  • Quick frosen fruits & vegetables
  • On farm processing of fruits & vegetables
  • Improvement of prototype for planting, sowing and inter-culture operation.

Diversified Agriculture Support Project
  Integrated Pest and Disease Management of some related vegetables in Uttar Pradesh.

  • Integrated Nutrient Management in vegetables
  • Development of disease and insect resistant varieties in vegetables
  • Post harvest technology in vegetables

DBT Project

  • Bilogical control of pests and diseases of important vegetable crops of Varanasi Region

Adoc/Cess Funded Project

  • Transfer of biotic resistance genes from wild texa to cultivated varieties of eggplant through protoplast fusion

The Thrust Activities
Crop Improvement

  • Germplasm enhancement, evaluation, cataloguing, documentation, exchange and conservation.
  • Development of varieties resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses.
  • Development of hybrid varieties.
  • Development of breeding materials in important vegetable crops.
  • Organize and monitor the trials for various agro-ecological zones.

Biotechnology

  • Characterization and classification of Plant Genetic Resources through Biochemical and Molecular techniques.
  • Gene mapping through RAPD/RFLP.
  • Transfer of biotic & abiotic stresses through protoplast fusion/genetic transformation techniques.
  • Development of double haploids through anther and microspore culture.

Crop Production

  • Development of vegetable based cropping system.
  • Development of production technology using Integrated Nutrient Management, weed management and irrigation management.
  • Development of production technology for hybrids.
  • Development of production technology for off season vegetables.

Crop Protection

  • Management of important diseases of vegetable crops utilizing integrated disease management practices with special reference to biological approaches.
  • Management of important insect pests of vegetable crops utilizing integrated pest management approaches with special reference to biological control.

Seed Production

  • Production of nucleus and breeder seeds of vegetable crops.
  • Conduct research on seed production and seed technology.
  • Monitoring of breeder seed production of country.

Statistics and Social Sciences

  • Create data/information base and their proper analysis.
  • Farmers trainers training programme.
  • To disseminate improved production technologies among the vegetable growers.

Resource Management

  • Management of resource (soil, water and inputs) for increasing productivity of mandate crops.
  • Identify useful donors from national and international sources.
  • To undertake human resource development.
  • To organise training for upgradation of scientific manpower in vegetable crops.

Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR)
The Mandate

  • To act as national centre for basic and applied research on pulse crops: chickpea, pigeonpea, mungbean, urdbean, lentil, lathyrus, rajmash and fieldpea.
  • To monitor, guide and coordinate the research on pulses in the country.
  • To impart training to scientists and extension workers engaged in pulses research and development.
  • To foster national and international collaboration for exchange of views and materials.
  • To disseminate information on latest pulses production technology.
  • To serve as an information bank on different aspects of pulses for strategic planning.
  • To extend consultancy services and expertise.

Manpower
The Institute has strength of 3 Project Coordinators, 8 Principal Scientists, 20 Sr. Scientists and 47 Scientists beside the Technicians, Administrative and Supporting Staff.

Research Programmes

  • Cropping systems research.
  • Integrated nutrient and water management.
  • Integrated pests and diseases management.
  • Integrated drought management
  • Crop modeling
  • Germplasm collection, evaluation and conservation
  • Post-harvest technology
  • On farm research and informatics.

Salient Research Achievements
The institute in coordination with AICRPs has developed 27 chickpea, 20 pigeonpea, 17 mungbean, 15 urdbean, 17 lentil, 8 fieldpea, 4 rajmash and one lathyrus high yielding and disease resistant varieties. Several resistant donors for major diseases and insect pests of different crops have been identified and being utilized in developing improved varieties resistant to wilt and sterility mosaic in pigeonpea; wilt, Ascochyta blight in chickpea; yellow mosaic virus in mungbean/urdbean; powdery mildew in fieldpea; rust and wilt in lentil and podfly and pod borer in chickpea and pigeonpea. Promising lines through wide crosses of chickpea by embryo culture have been developed. Techniques for selection at cellular level against salanity and Ascochyta rabei have been standardised. Expressions of transgene at calli level have been obtained. Besides, mapping populations are being developed for generating molecular maps in chickpea. Forty seven thousand core and active accessions of different pulse crops, including seven thousand core collections, are maintained in medium term cold module. Post entry quarantine facility exclusive for pulses genetic resources is supporting the programme. The drought tolerance index has been developed to screen and identify chickpea genotypes against soil moisture stress conditions. Controlled pot culture technique has been validated and successfully used as a screening tool against temporary water logging in pigeonpea. Improved pulse production and protection techniques are being extended and disseminated through massive on farm demonstrations, training and visits of development officers and farmers. Data bases and information systems for pulses have been developed. A mini dal mill for splitting pulses grains has been developed and being popularised among small farmers.

Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)
Taking the note of the developmental activities of PIRENS the Indian Council of Agricultural Research , New Delhi granted its sanction for establishment of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (the Farm Science Centre) in May 1992. However the  actual implementation of its programmes could be started during March, 1993 only .  Before launching its programmes and activities, a Benchmark survey of the selected villages was done to make a socio-economic appraisal and to understand the existing practices of the farmers.  This enabled the KVK to identify the technological gaps and critical needs and requirements of the farmers.  This formed the basis for framing operational modality like training, demonstration and on-farm-trials by the KVK.  Simultaneously the farm development work  was also started as an important requirement for the strengthening of training-cum-demonstration infrastructure of the KVK.

Initially the off campus training were given emphasis due to unavailability of infrastructure.  However, since 1995, the on campus training have become a core activity of the KVK.  Comparatively the demonstrations under the LLPs and FLDs took off on an earlier note during 1993-94.

Apart from conducting these demonstrations various innovative approaches were undertaken for providing the environment friendly packages to meet the farmers problem. An overwhelming response of the farmers to these eco-freindly practices later paved the way for forming various farmers interest groups and self help groups. The response to these groups organised under the domain of Krishi Vigyan Mandal further motivated the KVK to establish the Innovative Farmers Club in the year 1996. The club is an informal group of self experimenting farmers that provides an opportunity  for sharing their innovations and practices among themselves. Further the KVK started the Innovative Farm Women's Club for involvement of farm women in the dissemination of various technological intervention at faster rate.

The KVK has excelled in bringing the modern technological packages at the farmers doorstep with the help of various instructional units. The KVK today has sufficient resources to impart training skills for not only the farmers but also the rural youth. The training schedule typically incorporates the existing needs and problems of the farmers for making a positive impact. The trainings are conducted both at the on-campus and off-campus locations. It invariably emphasizes on providing both the short term as well as long durational courses specifically to impart practical orientation to these courses. The KVK has started the instructional units for not only imparting the skills but also for providing the critical inputs as per the demand and need of the farmers. Wherever the response of the farmers to technologies under the Lab to Land Programmes and the on-farm-trials demonstrated by the KVK was multifold the need to take the assistance from the other funding agencies arose. The KVK took bold initiatives in convincing different State and Central Govt. funding agencies to provide the financial support to undertake the innovative schemes and projects for further extending the extension programmes outside the purview of the KVK selected villages.

All the above programmes and activities have earned the KVK Babhaleshwar a place of pride and helped to serve as a role model for others to follow in the state as well as in the country. The KVK takes pride in putting itself among the forerunner of the frontline extension system. Its work was recognized at National level when it was bestowed with the prestigious Best KVK Award on 17 July 2000 at New Delhi among 461 KVKs across the country.

National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR)
National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources and National Institute of Animal genetics were set up on 21st September, 1984. These institutes were Regional Station of National Dairy Research Institute, Bangalore. Bureau and institute were temporarily housed in NDRI Campus and shifted to its own campus at Makrampur, Karnal in 1994. The institute at Animal Genetics and Bureau were merged in 1995 to function as a single unit as National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources.

At present the Bureau has fully developed Information System on Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources. The Bureau is engaged in the characterization and evaluation of Livestock and Poultry genetic resources of the country. Several State Agricultural Universities are collaborating in the characterization work through Network Projects on survey of Animal Genetic Resources. The Core Labs. established at Anand, Chennai and Karnal supplement the efforts of Bureau in the Molecular genetic characterization of the AnGR. Efforts are underway to develop liaison with the Central/State Govt. implementing agencies so that the recommendations of the Bureau are implemented in field. the Gene Bank has been established with preservation of somatic cells and semen doses of few important breeds of cattle and buffaloes. Services provided at NBAGR & Future Thrusts

Objectives

  • To conduct systematic surveys to characterise, evaluate and catalogue farm livestock and poultry genetic resources and to establish their National Data Base.
  • To design methodologies for ex situ conservation and in situ management and optimal utilization of farm animal genetic resources.
  • To undertake studies on genetic characterisation using modern biological techniques such as molecular cytogenetics, Immunology, DNA Fingerprinting, RFLP analysis (Restriction fragment length polymorphism).
  • To conduct training programmes as related to evaluation, characterisation and utilisation of animal genetic resources

National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI)

Historical Perspective

National Dairy Research Institute is the premier organization that provides R&D support for Dairy Development programmes of the Nation. Over the years, it has gained prominence as the front ranking research organization on global basis. The Institute works in close liaison with various National and International developmental agencies to assist the country in its dairy development plans. Scientific achievements, development of human resource at multi-tier level and infusion of science in various sectors of the dairy industry have been the hall-marks of the Institute. The Institute catalyses close interaction among scientists, students, farmers and dairy industry for orchestrating dairy development process in a harmonious manner.