New Delhi: Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh today asked over 100 ICAR institutes to develop economically feasible models to help farmers double their income.
He also exhorted Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and agri-science centres to play a major role in taking new technologies from 'lab-to-land'. "To achieve the government's target of doubling the income of farmers, all the institutes of ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) should emphasise on developing economically feasible models," Singh said, addressing the meeting of vice-chancellors of agri varsities and directors of ICAR institutes here.
He said that agri-models must be developed to improve productivity, sustainability and profitability of farming. ICAR is an autonomous organisation under the Agriculture Ministry. It has 101 ICAR institutes and 71 agricultural universities spread across the country.
The NDA government has set a target of doubling farm income by 2022. After developing new technologies and models, the Minister said that there is a need to take forward those technologies to farmers' land, for which a network of KVKs across thecountry have to play a major role.
"It is necessary to take forward 'Lab to Land Programme' and for this, KVKs have a major role to play," he said, adding the institutes need to work in tandem for research and education and contribute fully in building a viable nation.
To attract youth to the farm sector, the Minister said that agri varsities need to play a very important role and highlighted successful roll out of two schemes – Student Ready and Arya -- besides opening new colleges and agri-universities to promote farm education.
On the occasion, Minister of State for Agriculture Parshottam Rupala, ICAR Director General Trilochan Mohapatra and all Vice Chancellors of the Agricultural Universities were present.
