The government today approved setting up of Food Legumes Research Platform in Madhya Pradesh with satellite hubs in West Bengal and Rajasthan for meeting the emerging food security challenges.
The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of Food Legumes Research Platform (FLRP) by International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) at Amlaha, Sehore, Madhya Pradesh with satellite hubs in West Bengal (for pulses) and Rajasthan (for natural resource management).
The Cabinet also approved signing of lease deed with MP government for the land provided by them (70.99 hectare, 175.42 acre) at Amlaha Farm, Sehore on land rent of Re 1 per acre per year for 30 years on lease and to further lease it to ICARDA to establish the FLRP in MP.
"The establishment of FLRP will enable India to harness the best of international science in meeting the emerging food security challenges. India would be able to rapidly and effectively absorb the research output achieved in the country by FLRP," an official statement said.
A major international R&D institution will make India an even bigger centre for agricultural research in the world and this in turn, will attract further research and development investment in the country.
"This is a research set up by an international organisation. ICARDA has a good track record of innovation, as in climate resilient technologies including suitable food legume varieties for dry-land production systems," it said.
ICARDA will carry out research through a multi- disciplinary team of scientists for enhancing productivity of crops range-land and livestock.
"This platform will contribute significantly towards reducing poverty, improving food security, improving nutrition and health, and sustaining the natural resource base," the statement said.
The government said that the technologies to be developed and research output would benefit all farmers and the project is equitable and inclusive.
The Cabinet gave in principle approval for conferring on the Food Legume Research Platform of ICARDA an international status as contemplated in Clause 3 of the United Nations (Privileges and Immunities) Act, 1947.
On behalf of the central government, the Agriculture Ministry has been authorised in all matters regarding establishment of the platform.
The ministry has also been tasked to carry out technical modifications in the supplementary agreement signed between ICAR and ICARDA relating to establishment of FLRP, if required.
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