ICAR's "One Scientist-One Product": Advancing Agriculture

Introduction to ICAR and Its New Initiative

• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to launch 'One Scientist-One Product' program on July 16, 2024
• Coincides with ICAR's 96th foundation day celebration in Delhi
• Aims to enhance research in agriculture and animal husbandry
• Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to inaugurate the program
• ICAR established in 1929, autonomous organization under Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE)
• ICAR headquarter in New Delhi
• Apex body for coordinating, guiding, and managing agricultural research and education in India

'One Scientist-One Product' Program Details

• Involves all 5,521 ICAR scientists
• Each scientist tasked with developing a product, technology, model, concept, or notable publication
• Scientists to identify their project at the start of each year
• Progress monitored quarterly at institute level, biannually at headquarters
• Program to run for five years
• Initial focus on high-yielding oilseeds and pulses
• Aims to avoid duplication of efforts through careful mapping and assignment of unique research targets
• Some products may be developed by groups of scientists

New Crop Varieties and ICAR's Achievements

• Release of 323 new varieties of 56 crops, including cereals, oilseeds, forage crops, and sugarcane
• 289 climate-resilient varieties and 27 bio-fortified varieties among the new releases
• ICAR's goal: Develop 100 new seed varieties and 100 farm technologies within 100 days
• Plans for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to launch these programs by mid-September
• Breeder seeds helped cultivate about 16 million hectares with bio-fortified crops in 2023-24
• Crops include wheat (13 Mha), rice (0.5 Mha), pearl millet (1.5 Mha), lentil (0.50 Mha), and mustard (1.0 Mha)
• Since 2014-15, ICAR has released 2,593 high-yielding varieties, including 2,177 climate-resilient and 150 bio-fortified varieties
• Aim to increase area under climate-resilient paddy seeds from 15% to 25% of total kharif acreage

ICAR's Functions and Structure

• Conducts and promotes research in various agricultural fields
• Develops new technologies, practices, and innovations for improved productivity and sustainability
• Oversees agricultural education and ensures high standards
• Provides training and capacity-building programs
• Advises government on agricultural policy matters
• Implements extension programs to transfer technology from labs to fields
• Focuses on conservation and sustainable management of natural resources
• Governed by a Governing Body and an Executive Committee
• Consists of a network of research institutes, national bureaus, project directorates, and agricultural universities
• Confers prestigious awards like Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award, Borlaug Award, and Hari Om Ashram Trust Award

Significance and Impact of ICAR's Initiatives

• Enhances specialization and research efficiency in agricultural sciences
• Accelerates development of new agricultural technologies and products
• Addresses climate change challenges through climate-resilient varieties
• Improves nutritional security with bio-fortified crop varieties
• Supports government's agenda for agricultural development and food security
• Contributes to sustainable agriculture and resource management
• Strengthens India's position in global agricultural research and innovation
• Promotes targeted research to address specific agricultural challenges
• Encourages individual scientist accountability and productivity
• Facilitates better monitoring and evaluation of research outcomes