REORGANIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN

INDIA

Class IV

Reorganization of Agricultural Research

• Late Shri C. Subramaniam took over food and Agri. Ministry in June 1964.

• Re-organised ICAR in 1965 giving autonomy.• Establishment of SAUs on the pattern of land grant collage of

USA• National demostrations of dwarf varieties proposed by

Dr. Swaminathan – - 1 ha plot with fertilizer and irrigation – supervision of a scientist- 100 demonstrations conducted in 1964-65 and 1965-66

- large demonstration at IARI farm

Bulk Import of Seeds from Mexico

• 250 Tons of Sonora 64 and Lerma Rojo 64A – for multiplication on state Agri. frams for distribution to farmers 1965-66

• The success of the demonstrations created demand for more seeds.

• Decision to import 18,000 tons of seeds from Mexico.• Three scientists – S.M. Sikka, S.P. Kohli and U.S. Kang sent to

Mexico in 1966• Seeds distributed among farmers in 1966-67 – 400,000 ha.

Area covered.• 3 million ha shown in 1967-68

AICRIP on Wheat

• Dr. A.B. Joshi, Dean PG school becomes DDG and coordinated of AICRIP on Wheat.

• 1966 S.P. Kohli becomes first coordinator• AICRIP on Wheat is one of the largest coordinate program more

than;- 200 plant breeders- 80 Agronomists- 71 Pathologists- 19 Physiologists- 20 Entomologists- 14 Nematologistsand 24 quality testing specialists57 cooperating centers.

Quality Enhancement of Semi-Dwarf Wheat Varieties

Semidwarf Varieties of Wheat

Semidwarf Varieties of Wheat

Semidwarf Varieties of Wheat

V.S. Mathur – The most successful wheat breeder

• Semi-dwarf wheat varieties – 81 to 85 cm height due to Rht1 and Rht2

• Dwarf varieties of Mathur – 62 – 65 cm height• Released as Hira and Moti – resistant to

lodging under very high dose of fertilizer • Could not become popular • May be relevant in present day condition

Response of Tall and Dwarf Varieties to N

Wide inter-regional variations in yield

State Foodgrain yield, 2006-07 (t/ha)

1. Punjab 4.0

2 Tamil Nadu 2.6

3 West Bengal 2.5

4 Uttar Pradesh 2.1

5 Bihar 1.7

6 Orissa 1.4

7 Madhya Pradesh 1.2

Focus on high potential eastern & central region for immediate yield gains

Reduction in yield gap has been the main approach for increasing wheat production

Source: IARI/ ICAR network

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1

2

3

4

5

6

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005

Year

Wh

ea

t y

ield

, t/

ha

Potential yield

Actual yield

Yield Enhancement of Wheat in Punjab