INDIAN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 

The ICAR is an autonomous apex national organisation registered as a society, which plans, conducts and promotes research, education, training and transfer of technology for advancement of agriculture and allied science

 The ICAR was set up on 16 July 1929 on the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Agriculture. It was re-organised in 1965, and again in 1973. Over the years it has developed a large research and training infrastructure to work on the production and other emerging problems confronted in agriculture to meet the growing demands for food, fodder, fibre and fuel. It operates through 46 Central Research Institutes, 5 National Bureaux, 10 Project Directorates, 30 National Research Centres, 90 All India Co-ordinated Research Projects, 261 Krishi Vigyan Kendras and 8 Trainers Training Centres

The Union Minister of Agriculture is the President of the ICAR. Its principal officer is the Director-General. He is also the Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE). The General Body, the supreme authority of the ICAR, is headed by the Minister of Agriculture, Government of India. Its members include the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries and senior officers of the various state governments, representatives of the parliament, the agro-industries, scientific organisations and farmers.

The Governing Body is the chief executive and decision making authority of the ICAR. It is headed by the Director-General. It consists of eminent agricultural scientists, educators, legislators and representative of farmers. It is assisted by the Standing Finance Committee, Norms and Accreditation Committee, Regional Committees and several Scientific Panels. The Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education and Director-General of the ICAR functions as the Principal Advisor to the Government of India in all matters concerning research and education in agriculture, and allied fields.

The Director-General is assisted by eight Deputy Directors-General - one each incharge of Crop Sciences, Soils, Agronomy and Agroforestry, Animal Sciences, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Extension, Fisheries, Horticulture and Agricultural Engineering. In administration, the Director General (DG) is assisted by the Secretary, ICAR, who is also the Joint Secretary to the DARE, Government of India. In financial matters, the DG is assisted by the Financial Advisor (FA).

The ICAR receives funds from the Government of India and from the proceeds of the Agricultural Produce Cess. Rs. 13,000 million were allocated to it during the VIII Plan.

Agricultural Scientists' Recruitment Board (ASRB) is an independent recruiting agency of the ICAR for its Agricultural Research Services (ARS) and equivalent technical posts and also for research management positions. The Council has a National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM), which provides required training to new entrants to the Agricultural Research Services.

This vast network of ICAR which includes Institutes, Bureaux, National Research Centres and Project Directorates has a manpower of about 30,000 personnel out of which nearly 7000 are engaged in active research and its management. Twenty nine Agricultural Universities (SAUs) employ about 26,000 scientists for teaching, research and extension education; of these over 6000 scientists are employed in the ICAR supported coordinated projects.

 ICAR acts as a repository of information and provides consultancy on agriculture, horticulture, resource management, animal sciences, agricultural engineering, fisheries, agricultural extension, agricultural education, home science and agricultural communication. It has the mandates to co-ordinate agricultural research and development programmes and develop linkages at national and international level with related organisations to enhance the quality of life of the farming community.

ICAR has established various research centres in order to meet the agricultural research and education needs of the country.It is actively pursuing human resource development in the field of agricultural sciences by setting up numerous agricultural universities spanning the entire country.The Technology Intervention Programmes also form an integral part of ICAR's agenda which establishes Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) responsible for training, research and demonstration of improved technologies.

The council launched a National Agricultural Research Project (NARP) in January 1979 with assistance of World Bank to strengthen the research capabilities of the agricultural universities. During project's operation up to June 30,1996, 343 research centres comprising zonal stations and sub-stations have been established and strengthened under the control of the state agricultural universities. The scientists have developed income generating technologies for the farmers of 120 agro-climatic zones covering the entire country. A strong Agricultural Research Information System is being established connecting all the ICAR institutes, state agricultural universities and their zonal research centres.

Address:

Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Krishi Bhavan,

New Delhi-110 001

Contact:

 Director General (DG) : Dr. Mangala Rai   mrai@icar.delhi.nic.in     
Web Site: http://www.icar.org.in/