ICAR and NABARD sign MoU to develop Climate Resilient Technologies for farmers

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and National Board of Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) signed Memorandum of Understanding on December 13, 2019. The agreement was signed to facilitate the research and technologies to develop climate resilient practices in the agriculture sector and hi-tech farming practices.

Highlights

Under the agreement, the organizations will take up technology transfer in integrated farming system, agro-forestry, crop intensification, horticulture and plantation. The initiative will help to strengthen the competition among NABARD officers and other working partners. The agreement will also help to upgrade technologies developed by ICAR. It includes hi-tech farming practices, climate resilient practices and models. It will also aid in evaluation of NABARD assisted projects like farm-mechanization, agri-incubation centres, and report generation for climate change projects.

In order to develop climate resilient agriculture, GoI has launched several initiatives. One among them is the National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA).

NICRA

NICRA was launched in 2011. The project has three main objectives namely strategic research, capacity building and technology demonstrations. NICRA has four main modules namely crop production, natural resource management, improving soil health and livestock. Though the scheme was launched for 2 years, it was extended and is still active. The scheme is implemented by ICAR.

The main objectives of the scheme include enhancing resilience of Indian agriculture covering crops, fisheries, livestock. It will also demonstrate technology specific packages for Indian farmers to adapt to climate risks. The scheme will also enhance the capacity of scientists in climate resilient agricultural research and application.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2019