On March 01, 2020, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), an autonomous body responsible for coordinating agricultural education and research in India, has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hardiwar (Uttarakhand)- based Patanjali Bio Research Institute (PBRI) to add a new dimension to the field of farming by undertaking research work as well as training and education.
Key Points:
i.The agreement was signed in the presence of Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, by ICAR Director General Trilochan Mohapatra & PBRI CEO Acharya Balkrishna. On this occasion, Junior Agriculture Ministers Parshottam Rupala and Kailash Choudhary were also present.
ii.This agreement between ICAR and Patanjali will work in the interest of common farmers with each other’s cooperation related to sustainable agriculture development suitable to different agro-ecologies of the country & ICAR will assist PBRI in technology demonstration, capacity building, seed production for scaling up popular varieties developed by ICAR and transferring them among the farming community of the country.
iii.The MoU will provide internships in various areas of specialization with PBRI to the Post graduate (PG) students of deemed universities and research institutes of ICAR.It will also help The boost the research, capacity building, seed production, entrepreneurship and skill development,etc.
Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurates Krishi Vigyan Mela 2020 in New DelhiÂ
On March 1,2020,The Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar has inaugurated a-3 day Krishi Vigyan Mela 2020 at Mela Ground of the PUSA campus in New Delhi.
The mela, is being organized by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), showcases the latest varieties of seeds, technology and other products developed by government and private companies.
Key Points:
i.At the event, 39 innovative farmers and five fellow farmers will also be awarded. ii.The event will help doubling farmers’ income by the year 2022
Steps taken by the Government to double farmers’ income:
The government is providing an annual income of Rs 6,000 to farmers under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme & farmers under the Kisan Credit Card initiative ,it increased the minimum support price for crops, loan facilities to farmers.
It is noteworthy that the government aims to set up 10,000 new FPOs(Farmer Producer Organisations).A provision of Rs 6,600 crore has been made in the budget for this initiative. The government will also provide Rs 15 lakh for each FPO formation.
About Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare:
Union Minister – Shri Narendra Singh Tomar
Founded– 1947
Headquarters– New Delhi
About Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR):
Headquarters– New Delhi
Founded– 16 July 1929
