1.10.1. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. It was formerly known as Imperial Council of Agricultural Research and it was established on 16 July 1929. The Council is the apex body for co-ordinating, guiding and managing research and education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the entire country. The ICAR has played a pioneering role in ushering Green Revolution and subsequent developments in agriculture in India through its research and technology development that has enabled the country to increase the production of foodgrains by 4 times, horticultural crops by 6 times, fish by 9 times (marine 5 times and inland 17 times),milk 6 times and eggs 27 times since 1950-51, thus making a visible impact on the national food and nutritional security.

The mandates for the ICAR are to –

♤ To plan, undertake, aid, promote and co-ordinate education, research and its application

in agriculture, agro forestry, animal husbandry, fisheries, home science and allied sciences.

♤ To act as a clearing house of research and general information relating to agriculture, animal husbandry, home science and allied sciences, and fisheries through its publications and information system; and instituting and promoting transfer of technology programmes.

♤ To provide, undertake and promote consultancy services in the fields of education, research, training and dissemination of information in agriculture, agro forestry, animal husbandry, fisheries, home science and allied sciences.

♤ To look into the problems relating to broader areas of rural development concerning agriculture, including postharvest technology by developing co-operative programmes with other organizations such as the Indian Council of Social Science Research, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and the universities

♤ To do other things considered necessary to attain the objectives of the Society.