ICAR initiates various steps to enhance productivity of agricultural crops

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), to enhance productivity of various agricultural crops, has initiated various research programmes. The steps will improve the productivity of crops like cotton, maize, mustard, paddy, pulse, sugarcane and wheat through crop based research institutes. The research programmes comprise of basic and strategic research related to crop improvement, crop production, crop protection, post harvest operations, value addition, etc.

The technical information developed through research programmes will be used by crop specific All India Coordinated Research Projects situated in State Agricultural Universities to develop location specific varieties and technologies.

Meanwhile, the productivity of important crops in the country has bettered during the period of 11th Plan. However, productivity of most of the crops in India is still lower against international standards due to small and fragmented land holdings, lack of irrigation facilities, improper nutrient and pest management, low use of good quality seeds.