Executive Summary:
This document responds to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 324 regarding the promotion of agricultural research infrastructure, specifically addressing the establishment of a Groundnut Research Centre, a Veterinary Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), and an Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) unit in Nalgonda district. The answer clarifies existing resources and research efforts already in place to support agriculture in the region. The response was tabled on August 12, 2025.
Key Points / Main Content:
Groundnut Research:
* A national-level research institute (ICAR-IIGR) in Junagadh, Gujarat, conducts groundnut research for the entire country.
* A regional research station (ICAR-IIGR) in Anantpur, Andhra Pradesh, addresses the research needs of groundnut cultivation in South Indian states, including Nalgonda.
* The All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Groundnut conducts experiments through the Regional Agricultural Research Station of Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU) in Hyderabad to improve groundnut production in the region.
Veterinary Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK):
* A KVK has been operational in Nalgonda district since 2011, offering scientific support to farmers in agriculture and related sectors, including livestock and animal husbandry.
Integrated Farming Systems (IFS):
* ICAR has two national institutes for IFS: the Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, and the Mahatma Gandhi Integrated Farming Research Institute (MGIFRI) in Motihari, Bihar, which develop IFS models for various regions.
* In Telangana, the AICRP on IFS operates a main center, a subcenter, and an On-Farm Research center under PJTSAU, catering to the IFS needs of the state, including Nalgonda district.
* Six prototype IFS models, including three farmer-participatory models, have been developed and recommended for different zones of Telangana.
Agricultural Research Infrastructure:
* The National Agricultural Research System (NARS), including ICAR, comprises a network of research institutes, KVKs, deemed universities, state agricultural universities, and central agricultural universities.
* Telangana has 16 KVKs, 7 ICAR research institutes, and three State Agricultural Universities contributing to agricultural research, education, and extension, including in backward districts like Nalgonda.
Impact Analysis:
Farmers in Nalgonda District:
* Impact: Access to existing research and support services for groundnut cultivation, livestock rearing, and integrated farming systems.
* Action Required: Engage with the existing KVK, AICRP centers, and agricultural universities to utilize available resources and adopt recommended farming practices.
Agricultural Researchers and Extension Staff:
* Impact: Awareness of the existing research infrastructure and ongoing projects related to groundnut, livestock, and IFS in the region.
* Action Required: Continue to conduct research, disseminate information, and provide support to farmers in Nalgonda district through established channels.
Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU):
* Impact: Continued role in conducting experiments through the Regional Agricultural Research Station of PJTSAU and operating AICRP centers to address IFS needs in Telangana.
* Action Required: Maintain and enhance research efforts to develop and promote location-specific, high-yielding varieties and sustainable production technologies.
Key Entities Referenced
SHRI KUNDURU RAGHUVEER: Member of Lok Sabha who raised the starred question No. 324.
Nalgonda district, Telangana: A district in Telangana where establishment of Groundnut Research Centre and Veterinary Krishi Vigyan Kendra was proposed.
ICAR-Indian Institute of Groundnut Research (ICAR-IIGR), Junagadh, Gujarat: National level research institute conducting basic and strategic research on Groundnuts.
Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK): An extension center to cater to the farmers with scientific support in agriculture and allied sectors.
Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (P.J.T.S.A.U.), Hyderabad, Telangana: Agricultural University in Telangana conducting experiments on Groundnut.
Integrated Farming Systems (IFS): Farming System models for different parts of the country.
ICAR Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh: One of the two institutes of National importance for Integrated farming system
National Agricultural Research System (NARS): A system comprising the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE).
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 324
TO BE ANSWERED ON 12TH AUGUST, 2025
PROMOTION OF AGRI-RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE
*324. SHRI KUNDURU RAGHUVEER:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृषि और ककसान
कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government proposes to establish a Groundnut Research Centre
under the ICAR-PLAN scheme in Nalgonda district to support the shift from paddy to
groundnut cultivation;
(b) whether the Government proposes to establish a Veterinary Krishi Vigyan Kendra
(KVK) in the district to cater to the livestock-rearing community;
(c) whether the Government plans to establish an Integrated Farming Systems (IFS)
unit at the Agriculture Research Station, Kampasagar to promote crop diversification and
sustainability among small farmers; and
(d) the steps being taken to promote agri-research infrastructure in backward districts
like Nalgonda?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृषि और ककसान कल्याण मंत्री (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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1STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) to (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED
QUESTION NO. 324 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12TH AUGUST, 2025 REGARDING
“PROMOTION OF AGRI-RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE”
(a): There is already a National level research institute ICAR-Indian Institute of
Groundnut Research (ICAR-IIGR) in Junagadh, Gujarat to conduct basic and strategic
research on Groundnuts for the Country. The regional Research Station- ICAR-Indian
Institute of Groundnut Research, Anantpur, Andhra Pradesh is catering the research
needs of groundnut cultivation in the south Indian States including Nalgonda and other
districts of Telangana. The All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Groundnut
conducts experiments from the Regional Agricultural Research Station of the Professor
Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (P.J.T.S.A.U.), Hyderabad in
Telangana State to ensure the continuous availability of location specific high yielding
varieties and production technologies required to increase the region-wise groundnut
production.
(b): One Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) is functioning in Nalgonda district since 2011 to
cater the farmers with scientific support in agriculture and allied sectors including livestock
and animal husbandry.
(c): There are two institutes of National importance for Integrated farming system
namely; ICAR- Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh and
ICAR-Mahatma Gandhi Integrated Farming Research Institute (MGIFRI), Motihari, Bihar.
These institutes have developed several Integrated Farming System (IFS) models for
different parts of the country. In state of Telangana, All India Coordinated Research
Project (AICRP) on Integrated Farming System is operating one main centre at
Rajendranagar, a sub-centre at Rudrur and an On-Farm Research centre at Rangareddy
under Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTAU),
Hyderabad. These centres cater to the IFS needs of the Telangana state including
Nalgonda district. Six prototype IFS models, including three farmers’ participatory IFS
models have been developed and recommended for different zones of Telangana.
(d): The National Agricultural Research System (NARS), comprising the Indian Council
of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under the Department of Agricultural Research and
Education (DARE), includes a vast network of 113 research institutes, 731 Krishi Vigyan
Kendras (KVKs), 04 Deemed Universities of ICAR, 66 State Agricultural Universities, and
3 Central Agricultural Universities, supports the agricultural research, education, and
extension infrastructure in the country. In the state of Telangana, there are 16 KVKs, 07
ICAR research institutes, viz., (i) ICAR-Central Research Institute of Dryland Agriculture,
Hyderabad, (ii) ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research & Management,
Hyderabad, (iii) ICAR- Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad, (iv) ICAR- Indian
Institute of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad, (v) ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research,
Hyderabad, (vi) ICAR-National Research Institute on Meat, Hyderabad (vii) ICAR-
Directorate of Poultry Research, Hyderabad, and three State Agricultural Universities: (i)
Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University, Hyderabad, (ii) P.V.
Narsimha Rao Telangana Veterinary University, Hyderabad, (iii) Professor Jayashankar
Telangana Agricultural University, Hyderabad. These institutions contribute to
strengthening the state's agricultural research, education, and extension capabilities,
including in backward districts such as Nalgonda.
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