**Summary:**
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is considering a research project aimed at improving the quality and yield of custard apple in the Aravalli Mountain range, specifically within the Udaipur Lok Sabha Constituency. The project, titled "Tribal Empowerment in Rajasthan through Custard Apple Farming," has been prepared by the ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru. The proposed project seeks funding under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and has a total proposed financial outlay of Rs. 225.0 Lakh.
The project's objectives are: (i) to demonstrate improved custard apple varieties (cv. Arka Sahan) for the economic upliftment of tribal beneficiaries in Rajasthan; (ii) to rejuvenate old and declining orchards of custard apple (cv. Balanagar/Arka Sahan); (iii) to enhance capacity building in custard apple processing; and (iv) to study the impact of IIHR interventions on the socioeconomic livelihood of tribal beneficiaries in Rajasthan.
As of August 12, 2025, the project proposal has been submitted to RKVY for funding approval. The response to the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3726 does not specify the anticipated project completion date.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for agricultural research and farmer welfare.
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY): An Indian national agricultural development program mentioned as a source of funding for the research project.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): An autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
Custard Apple: The specific fruit that is the subject of the research project to improve its quality and yield.
Rajasthan: The Indian state where the research project focusing on Custard Apple farming and tribal empowerment is to be implemented.
ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru: The specific branch of ICAR located in Bengaluru that prepared the research project proposal.
Arka Sahan: Improved variety of custard apple.
SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY: The Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare who answered the question.
O.I.H.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3726
TO BE ANSWERED ON 12TH AUGUST, 2025
RESEARCH PROJECT TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND YIELD OF CUSTARD APPLE
3726. DR. MANNA LAL RAWAT:
SHRI DAMODAR AGRAWAL:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृषि और ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be
pleased to state:
(a) whether the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has approved/proposed any
research project under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) to improve the quality and increase
the yield of Custard Apple in the Aravalli Mountain range falling under the Udaipur Lok Sabha
Constituency;
(b) if so, the details of the said proposed/approved projects;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor;
(d) the current status of approval of the said research project; and
(e) the time by which the said research project is likely to be completed?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृषि और ककसान कल्याण राज्य मंत्री (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY)
(a) to (e): A research project entitled ‘Tribal Empowerment in Rajasthan through Custard Apple
Farming’ has been prepared by ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru to
improve the quality and increase the yield of Custard Apple in Rajasthan with a total financial
involvement of Rs. 225.0 Lakh. The project proposal has following four objectives:
i. To demonstrate improved varieties of custard apple cv. Arka Sahan for economic upliftment of Tribal
beneficiaries of Rajasthan.
ii. To rejuvenate old and declining orchards of custard apple cv. Balanagar/Arka Sahan.
iii. To enhance capacity building on processing of custard apple.
iv. To study the impact of IIHR interventions on socio-economic livelihood of Tribal beneficiaries of
Rajasthan.
This Project has been submitted to Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) for funding.
******