AndhraNews.Net - Task force to be constituted for restructuring Krishi Vigyan Kendras

New Delhi: July 16, 2003

A Task Force will be constituted for restructuring Krishi Vigyan Kendras and make them more farmer friendly. This was announced by the Agriculture Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh at the 74th Annual General Meeting of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Society here today. The Task Force to be headed by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Shri Hukum Deo Narayan Yadav will submit its report within three months. The Minister said that farmers are not able to get the benefit of new technologies to the extent possible. Therefore, it is essential to strengthen and restructure Krishi Vigyan Kendras to help them serve small and marginal farmers in a more effective manner. Shri Rajnath Singh expressed the Government's determination to make good quality seeds available to farmers. For this purpose, a scheme is being formulated by the Agriculture Ministry. The Agriculture Minister also stressed the need to bring down the prices of various agricultural inputs including seeds and fertilizers to bring about improvement in the standard of living of farmers. He said that this is the top priority of the Government. Talking about WTO, the Minister said that no country can afford to remain away from the process of globalization. However, he assured that the interests of the country's farmers would not be compromised at any cost.

Shri Rajnath Singh said that promotion of bio-technology, bio-farming and bio-fuel are the three priority areas for ICAR. More research has to be done in these three areas and benefits of the research have to be taken to farmers. This will ensure increase in production and productivity while maintaining ecological balance at the same time. The Minister welcomed the participation of the Private Sector in agriculture and said that both the private and public sectors can work together to ensure rapid agricultural development. Underlining the importance of extension services in agriculture, Shri Rajnath Singh sought the cooperation of State Governments to ensure that full benefit of research reaches the farmer.

Earlier, the Director General of ICAR, Dr. Mangla Rai presented the Annual Report of the Organisation. The Minister of State for Agriculture Shri Hukum Deo Narayan Yadav was also present on the occasion.

Press Release by: PIB/OK:RC:PM

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