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
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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