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One Scientist-One Product Programme
Context:
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is set to introduce its ‘One Scientist-One Product’ programme, coinciding with its 96th Foundation Day celebrations.
About One Scientist-One Product Programme:
- This initiative aims to enhance specialisation, improve research efficiency, and accelerate the development of new agricultural technologies and products,
- by assigning specific products or research areas to individual scientists.
- Under this initiative, each of the 5,521 ICAR scientists is tasked with developing a product, technology, model, concept, or publication.
- The progress will be monitored every three months at the institute level and every six months at headquarters.
- This programme is planned for a duration of five years, with a current focus on seed hubs for high-yielding oilseeds and pulses varieties.
- ICAR will also announce the release of 323 new varieties of crops, including cereals, oilseeds, forage crops, and sugarcane, as part of its 96th foundation day celebrations.
- This includes 289 climate-resilient varieties and 27 bio-fortified varieties.
- 100-Day Action Plan:
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- ICAR aims to develop 100 new seed varieties and 100 farm technologies as part of its 100-day action plan.
- Production Boost:
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- With the help of breeder seeds, approximately 16 million hectares (Mha) are under bio-fortified varieties of different crops during 2023-24.
- The deployment of climate-resilient technologies has led to enhanced production even during abnormal years.
Decade of Agricultural Innovation (2014-15 to 2023-24):
- Over the past decade, ICAR has made remarkable strides in crop variety development:
- Total high-yielding varieties released: 2,593
- Climate-resilient varieties: 2,177 (83% of total)
- Biofortified crop varieties: 150
- These varieties offer resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses.
Biofortification:
- It is the process of enhancing the nutrient density of food crops through conventional plant breeding, improved agronomic practices, and modern biotechnology without compromising consumer or farmer preferences.
- Purpose: It is a nutrition-sensitive agriculture intervention aimed at reducing vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Examples:
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- Iron-biofortification: Beans, cowpea, and pearl millet.
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- Zinc-biofortification: Maize, rice, and wheat.
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- Pro-vitamin A carotenoid-biofortification: Cassava, maize, rice, and sweet potato.
About Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR):
- It is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare , Government of India.
- Formerly known as Imperial Council of Agricultural Research,
- It was established on 16 July 1929 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 in pursuance of the report of the Royal Commission on Agriculture.
- The ICAR has its headquarters at New Delhi.
- Vision 2020: The first comprehensive effort to address challenges and opportunities, prepared at the end of the 20th century.
- Perspective Plan & Vision 2030: Developed after five years, coinciding with the XI plan.
- Vision 2050: Provides a strategic framework for innovation-led, inclusive, and sustainable agricultural growth.