Icar

Fixing oilseeds MSP with oil content could trim India's bulging import bill

The CACP said that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research has developed several high oil content varieties and management practices to boost oil yield in mustard and safflower

Only a third of nearly 33K registered FPOs financially viable: Icar body

Average equity capital support for FPOs at 45 per cent of optimal levels; credit access only 37 per cent of optimal levels, a paper by an Icar body shows

Don't break what works: Rethink the recent proposal to fragment ICAR

ICAR is one of the few institutions that retain land-grant-style integration of research, education, and extension across disciplines. To dismantle that is to dismantle our strength

Panel working on IPR issues of gene-edited rice, says ICAR's ML Jat

Genome editing is a relatively new technology, and we've had a breakthrough with the development of two novel varieties using this approach

Anti-GM groups slam ICAR over release of genome-edited rice varieties

The Coalition for a GM-Free India has criticised the release of two genome-edited rice varieties, calling the move unscientific, risky, and a threat to seed sovereignty

ICAR clears release of improved fodder crop by Ranchi agri university

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has recommended the release of an improved variety of fodder crop, Birsa Lathyrus-1, developed by scientists at the Ranchi-based Birsa Agricultural University (BAU). According to a statement from BAU, the new variety was developed under the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on fodder crops. The average green fodder yield (GFY) of this variety, released for the country's north east zone and central zone, is 190 quintals per hectare, which is 6.3 per cent more than that obtained from national check variety Mahateora, the statement said. The variety, moderately resistant to leaf blight in the north east zone, is also suitable for timely-sown, normal fertility and under irrigated conditions of Jharkhand, it said. "This variety carries per cent crude protein which is 4-5 per cent higher than the national check. It gives a seed yield of 8.3 quintal per hectare, which is 15 per cent superior to the check variety Mahateora," i

Noted agronomist Mangi Lal Jat appointed as director general of ICAR

Jat is a well-recognised systems agronomist with over 25 years of experience in systems science across the developing world

Set up Indian Council for Fisheries to tap sector's full potential: Panel

The Council on Fisheries as per the Panel would not only facilitate focussed and in-depth research, but also address the challenges faced by the fishery sector

Reforms needed in ICAR for better outcomes, says PM's principal secy

PK Mishra says India needs to accelerate hybrid tech adoption in pulses, oilseeds to overcome production deficits

ICAR, governing body members in bitter war of words over key appointments

With the current Director General of ICAR set to retire in February 2025, Badaravada described the transition as a "golden chance" to reform the organisation

Tripura govt plans palm cultivation on 7,000 hectares of wasteland by FY27

The Tripura government has planned to bring around 7,000 hectares of wasteland under oil palm cultivation by the 2026-27 financial year (FY'27), an official said on Friday. Initially, the Centre had identified 7,000 hectares for oil palm cultivation in the state but the ICAR-Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research reassessment committee classified 1.46 lakh hectares as a potential area for such farming in 2020 through digital mapping. "Under the National Mission on Edible Oil-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), the state planned to bring at least 7,000 hectares of wasteland under oil palm cultivation by the 2026-27 financial year. The state has a favourable agro-climate for palm cultivation. Accordingly, we are working rigorously to achieve the target," Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department's Director P B Jamatia told PTI. He said the department has selected two processors as technical associated partners- Godrej Agrovet Pvt Ltd and Patanjali Foods Pvt Ltd -for implementation of the national

Govt should boost soil nutrients to maintain yields, say scientists

A mapping of India's soil health has shown that almost 90 per cent of the land is deficient in nitrogen and phosphorus, and 50 per cent in potassium

One tonne of burnt stubble causes 20 kg soil nitrogen loss, say scientists

According to ICAR scientists, stubble burning leads to the complete loss of nitrogen, while phosphorus is only slightly recoverable

ICAR member requests PM to attach agri-scientists in G20 embassies

An ICAR Governing Body member on Thursday requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to appoint agri-scientists as attaches in Indian embassies across G20 countries to help achieve the target of becoming a developed nation by 2047. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Venugopal Badaravada expressed concern over limited progress in agricultural collaborations despite significant agreements with countries like Brazil. He pointed out that a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in 2008 between ICAR and Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA). Additional MoUs were signed during the 2016 BRICS Summit in Goa under PM Modi's leadership, involving the Ministries of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), and Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock & Food Supply, along with Brazilian body ABCZ, Badaravada said. According to him, Brazil has already appointed an Agriculture Attach at its Embassy in New Delhi. Indian ...

ICAR should focus on converting waste to wealth, urges Prez Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday asserted that secondary agriculture could significantly enhance the rural economy, urging the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to focus on converting waste into wealth. "Secondary agriculture has the potential to boost the rural economy. ICAR should work towards this goal to increase farmers' income," she said while addressing the centenary celebrations of the ICAR-National Institute of Secondary Agriculture (NISA) here as the chief guest. Highlighting the export potential of Indian lac, which is in high demand in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, the President noted that Jharkhand accounts for 55 per cent of the country's total lac production. "Jharkhand's lac production is a vital source of income for the tribal community," she emphasised. Murmu also expressed her deep respect for the region, saying, "Visiting the land of tribal icon Birsa Munda feels like a pilgrimage to me." Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Governor Santo

Research for climate-resilient milch cattle takes a vast step forward

In a bid to keep milk flowing amid severe heatwaves, NDRI develops genetically edited embryo of buffalo

BKS slams ICAR for dubious agreements with multinational companies

The resolution assumes significance as the RSS is also the ideological fountainhead of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

Develop high-yielding oilseeds and pulses to cut imports: Chouhan

Addressing the 96th ICAR Foundation and Technology Day, Chouhan highlighted the lower productivity of soybean in India compared to other countries

Govt aims to cover 25% of kharif paddy area with climate-resilient seeds

In a bid to combat the growing challenges posed by climate change, the government is targeting to bring 25 per cent of the total kharif paddy area under climate-resilient seeds, a senior agriculture ministry official said on Monday. The move comes as erratic rainfall patterns have become increasingly common in recent years, threatening rice production in the country. India, the world's second-largest rice producer after China, cultivates paddy on over 410 lakh hectares during the kharif season. Speaking on the sidelines of ICAR's 96th Foundation and Technology Day celebrations, ICAR Director General Himanshu Pathak said, "While we have achieved 75 per cent coverage of climate-resilient seeds in wheat cultivation, the adoption in paddy is still limited." Pathak revealed that ICAR has developed paddy seeds resistant to drought and lodging. These seeds were sown in 16 per cent of the total paddy area during the 2023 kharif season. "For the ongoing kharif season, we aim to increase th

Tata Steel, ICAR-NRRI join Odisha govt to reclaim acidic soils in state

Tata Steel and Odisha government have decided to implement a sustainable agricultural initiative to reclaim acidic soils in the state, an official said. The collaboration aims to utilize industrial waste, such as basic oxygen furnace (LD) slag and fly ash, as soil amendments to reclaim acidic soils in Odisha. The first consignment of LD slag was flagged off from Tata Steel Meramandali (TSM) plant in Dhenkanal district on June 18, the official said. The project, titled "Economic and Environment-Friendly Utilisation of Basic Slag and Fly Ash as Soil Amendments to Reclaim Acid Soils of Odisha (SAFAR)," is being spearheaded by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-National Rice Research Institute (ICAR-NRRI) in Cuttack, Odisha. The initiative is part of the Odisha government's "Waste to Wealth" programme, which promotes a circular economy. "We are pleased to collaborate with the Government of Odisha and ICAR-NRRI on this important initiative," said Rajiv Mangal, vice ...