ICAR-Industry Meet – 2010
Speech
Hon’ble Prof. K.V.Thomas,
Union Minister of State of Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Shri Sharad Pawar Ji, Union Minister of Agriculture, Consumer Affairs and Food and Public Distribution; Dr Ayyapan, Secretary, DARE and Director-General, ICAR; Shri Rajiv Mehrishi, Additional Secretary, DARE and Secretary, ICAR; invitees from the industry, scientists, friends from media, ladies and gentlemen!
The National Agricultural Research System (NARS), spearheaded by the ICAR is serving a wide variety of research objectives, ranging from the system’s traditional emphasis on increasing food security by increasing yield and output, to new pathways that aim at providing livelihood security and poverty alleviation. This paradigm shift necessitates creating appropriate mechanisms for providing smallholders and other vulnerable social groups with new technological options. Implicit in this shift is also greater awareness of the demand for research derived from markets for both, the staple food as well as the high-value agricultural commodities — a significant change from the conventional tendency attempting to directly cater to the end-point elements in a value chain. This requires widening the focus, from research for technological innovation, - to - building a complete value-chain around the innovation.
Hitherto, the NARS has played its role directly or through the agriculture extension system in developing new technologies and encouraging their adoption and production by the farmers. However, the emergence of a strong private sector capacity in agricultural R&D has created new challenges and opportunities for the agricultural research system. In the changing scenario, effective institutional linkages between public and private research laboratories can increase the flow of technology-oriented knowledge across the system.
The processes through which new technologies are researched, developed, and disseminated are characterized by complex interactions among diverse actors, markets, institutions; and public-private partnerships are emerging as a viable approach to conducting research for development. The principal objective of developing these partnerships would be to link the fundamental, or pre-technology, research capacity of public sector institutions with the commercial research and marketing expertise of the private sector.
Planning the role for public–private collaboration in agriculture research and development needs to look beyond the aspects of resource generation, and risk and benefit sharing only. It should focus on the opportunities and possibilities that such arrangements will deliver for improved outcomes aligned with the government’s holistic approach of development and intended growth strategy for the agricultural sector. These could be improved productivity, greater crop or livestock diversity, technology transfer for employment generation, and expansion of the intended markets; be that local, urban or export. These partnerships could also be helpful in fostering the much-needed linkages between inventor in the public sector, technology user in the private sector, and the farmer; who is the end user of technology.
Nevertheless, development of formal institutional linkages between the public and private sectors, particularly in agricultural research, in our country, is relatively a new concept. The nature and scope of such linkages is still evolving and warrant further analysis and discussion; and I am sure the two-day meet of ICAR-Industry interface would provide the right platform for working out innovative arrangements that serve to build strategic relationships with each other.
One of the major issues of public-private cooperation in research that has important social and economic consequences is the content of the collaborative research agenda. In this regard, the three pertinent parameters that could be used for assessing the need of a public–private partnership are: (i) whether the partnership contributes to reducing the costs of research, (ii) whether it promotes innovative research and substantially adds to the knowledge base, and (iii) whether it enhances the impact of research and technology development on small and marginal farmers.
The primary requisite for building a successful public-private partnership would be confidence building among the partners, and this would require understanding and appreciation of mutual strengths and weaknesses. This would help in proper selection of partners and their harmonious interaction, which would be very important for achieving the mutually agreed objectives. It is crucial that each partner acts faithfully and legitimately to implement the partnership.
It is equally important that partnerships are based on negotiated legal, financial, and governance framework for partnering. The scope of the partnership, contributions of the partners, funding, governance, and distribution of benefits have to be pre-defined through some kind of partnership agreement or contract.
Another major concern in public-private partnerships is the issue of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs). The increasing applicability of IPRs in agriculture research and development and their implications on technology transfer and commercialization also need to be properly understood. Conventionally, the public sector organisations have much less experience in negotiations, moreover, the differing cultures and perspectives between public and private organizations can add to difficulties. Therefore, suitable capacity building on technical and legal aspects of IPRs is essential for negotiating partnerships. I am happy to know that ICAR has taken the initiative for the development of trained manpower and capacity building across the country, and over 600 persons from ICAR institutes and State Agriculture Universities have been exposed to the nuances of the overall subject of IP management and Technology Transfer. Nonetheless, this capacity building exercise will have to be a dynamic process and in tune with the new global developments emerging in the area.
Although much has been advocated in support of public–private partnerships as a mechanism by which to foster agricultural research and innovation, they are still underutilized and little understood. The Meet would provide ICAR institutes a unique opportunity for show-casing the technologies developed by them to a large cross section of industry and exploring avenues for taking to the market the selected technologies which have been assessed to have high commercial potential. The interaction would also be important to appraise the trends of research collaboration and technology transfer between ICAR and private sector so as to have increased synergy between the institutes developing the knowledge and technologies and the potential industry recipients.
I am sure the deliberations during the next two days would provide the right opportunity to the partners to communicate and exchange ideas effectively, judiciously identify areas of complementarity and synergy, and build and sustain trust through inter-personal and organizational relationships.
Jai Hind!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
ICAR foundation day speech on 16/7/2010
ICAR FOUNDATION DAY AND RESEARCH AWARDS
on 16/7/2010
SPEECH OF HON’BLE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE, CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION, PROF. K.V. THOMAS
We are here today at the commemoration of ICAR’s foundation and to honour ICAR’s researchers. We are at a juncture where the efforts taken in rejuvenating Indian Agriculture have started bearing fruits. After a hiatus of a few years, due to the efforts taken by the Union Agriculture Ministry, overall agricultural production is looking up. Following launch of RKVY and increased financial commitments by the Union Government, the States are now investing more in agriculture including agricultural R&D.
Just the other day, the Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture and the Hon’ble Minister for Finance guided the “Look East” policy in Indian Agriculture in Calcutta. At an initial investment of Rs.400 crores special productivity incentives are being provided to Eastern States to usher their quite belated green revolution. A package of enhanced productive packages mixing improved irrigation, hybrid seeds and use of environmentally sensitive fertigation has been proposed by most of the States. The enthusiasm with which the State Chief Ministers and Officials welcomed the package was an indication of the excellent results we hope to achieve in that front. I request ICAR to partake actively in the Eastern effort through its network of KVK’s in the region.
Regarding mainstream agricultural R&D, I think there has been disproportionate media attention on biotechnology research in the recent past. Media at least has chosen to report what is “hot”. The reality is that ICAR has developed a host of other technologies especially in the mechanization and post harvest front that need commercial viability testing and production in scale. We need to promote a culture of looking all around us and even abroad for technology also.
For instance, a genuine inhibitor affecting both Coconut and Oil Palm farmers is the lack of labour to bring the fruit bunch down from the tall palms. If a mobile elevatable platform with an all terrain facility is designed an operator can safely attend to more palms reducing risk and costs. I was quite satisfied with the post harvest processing technologies developed by CPCRI, Kasaragod during a recent visit.
Our thrust in horticulture has also brought to fore many practical issues which need clear R&D solutions. Floriculture needs several solutions which keep the shelf life of flowers intact. Seed production needs very highly efficient tissue culture based production and so forth.
I think Animal and Veterinary Science research needs to ground itself into the reality of our situation much better. I hear technologies like embryo transfer and cloning being cited frequently but the artificial insemination networks are yet to be established and stabilized properly in most States. Breeding policies are stuck in formulations of yester years. Quality seed and a wide variety of service delivery models is the lacuna here. Though exploratory research is welcome, it is time we addressed some of the constraints in enhancing milk production like shortage of fodder and fodder fortification technologies.
Grain storage, I am afraid is another area which is presently no body’s baby. The food Departments facilities to test quality of grain are to be highly improved. My visits to our central grain testing labs in Krishi Bhawan was an eye opener as to how much we lag behind, especially after the contrasting picture I got from my recent visit to China. I have asked the food department to consider taking help of ICAR or transfer the lab to ICAR for developing a modern biotechnology grade lab.
I am sure that the present policy issues related to transgenic crops will be resolved early. In the mean time, I should urge the scientific community to continue with an aggressive research programme in transgenics. We cannot afford to lag behind.
As a former academic, I am very pleased to facilitate the winners of the ICAR research awards here today. It is a reflection on the hard work all of you have put in that the country recognizes today. We are all indebted to you for striving very hard and bringing smiles to the Indian Farmers.
I have always maintained that ICAR needs to double its effort, resources and research strength in pursuit of excellence. I do hope that the present DG, ICAR, Dr. S. Ayyappan and his team succeeds in their new ventures.
I am very pleased to be amidst all of you. I wish you all the very best in your endeavors in future.
THANKING YOU,
JAI HIND
on 16/7/2010
SPEECH OF HON’BLE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE, CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION, PROF. K.V. THOMAS
We are here today at the commemoration of ICAR’s foundation and to honour ICAR’s researchers. We are at a juncture where the efforts taken in rejuvenating Indian Agriculture have started bearing fruits. After a hiatus of a few years, due to the efforts taken by the Union Agriculture Ministry, overall agricultural production is looking up. Following launch of RKVY and increased financial commitments by the Union Government, the States are now investing more in agriculture including agricultural R&D.
Just the other day, the Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture and the Hon’ble Minister for Finance guided the “Look East” policy in Indian Agriculture in Calcutta. At an initial investment of Rs.400 crores special productivity incentives are being provided to Eastern States to usher their quite belated green revolution. A package of enhanced productive packages mixing improved irrigation, hybrid seeds and use of environmentally sensitive fertigation has been proposed by most of the States. The enthusiasm with which the State Chief Ministers and Officials welcomed the package was an indication of the excellent results we hope to achieve in that front. I request ICAR to partake actively in the Eastern effort through its network of KVK’s in the region.
Regarding mainstream agricultural R&D, I think there has been disproportionate media attention on biotechnology research in the recent past. Media at least has chosen to report what is “hot”. The reality is that ICAR has developed a host of other technologies especially in the mechanization and post harvest front that need commercial viability testing and production in scale. We need to promote a culture of looking all around us and even abroad for technology also.
For instance, a genuine inhibitor affecting both Coconut and Oil Palm farmers is the lack of labour to bring the fruit bunch down from the tall palms. If a mobile elevatable platform with an all terrain facility is designed an operator can safely attend to more palms reducing risk and costs. I was quite satisfied with the post harvest processing technologies developed by CPCRI, Kasaragod during a recent visit.
Our thrust in horticulture has also brought to fore many practical issues which need clear R&D solutions. Floriculture needs several solutions which keep the shelf life of flowers intact. Seed production needs very highly efficient tissue culture based production and so forth.
I think Animal and Veterinary Science research needs to ground itself into the reality of our situation much better. I hear technologies like embryo transfer and cloning being cited frequently but the artificial insemination networks are yet to be established and stabilized properly in most States. Breeding policies are stuck in formulations of yester years. Quality seed and a wide variety of service delivery models is the lacuna here. Though exploratory research is welcome, it is time we addressed some of the constraints in enhancing milk production like shortage of fodder and fodder fortification technologies.
Grain storage, I am afraid is another area which is presently no body’s baby. The food Departments facilities to test quality of grain are to be highly improved. My visits to our central grain testing labs in Krishi Bhawan was an eye opener as to how much we lag behind, especially after the contrasting picture I got from my recent visit to China. I have asked the food department to consider taking help of ICAR or transfer the lab to ICAR for developing a modern biotechnology grade lab.
I am sure that the present policy issues related to transgenic crops will be resolved early. In the mean time, I should urge the scientific community to continue with an aggressive research programme in transgenics. We cannot afford to lag behind.
As a former academic, I am very pleased to facilitate the winners of the ICAR research awards here today. It is a reflection on the hard work all of you have put in that the country recognizes today. We are all indebted to you for striving very hard and bringing smiles to the Indian Farmers.
I have always maintained that ICAR needs to double its effort, resources and research strength in pursuit of excellence. I do hope that the present DG, ICAR, Dr. S. Ayyappan and his team succeeds in their new ventures.
I am very pleased to be amidst all of you. I wish you all the very best in your endeavors in future.
THANKING YOU,
JAI HIND
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
indian fish festival 2010
INDIAN FISH FESTIVAL-2010’ (INFISH) ON 9TH JULY2010 AT HYDERABAD
SPEECH OF PROF. K.V. THOMAS , HON’BLE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE, CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION, GOVT. OF INDIA
Good evening and welcome to all of you for Indian Fish Festival-2010.
Respected Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Rosaiah ji, Shri K. Pardha Saradhi, Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, Fisheries, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Nitin Raut, Hon’ble Minister for Animal Husbandry Dairy & Fisheries, Govt. of Maharashtra, Shri Danam Nagender, Hon’ble Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Govt. Andhra Pradesh, Smt. B. Karthika Chandra Reddy, Hon’ble Mayor, GHMC, Hyderabad, My colleague in Parliament Shri Anjan Kumar Yadav, Senior Officers from the Ministry, MPEDA, ICAR, NABARD, Department of Fisheries, Andhra Pradesh and my dear fishermen, farmers, members from media, ladies and gentlemen.
It’s a great privilege to be amidst to all of you to participate and celebrate the Indian Fish Festival-2010. The overwhelming response received from the various fisheries stakeholders and the general public during last year has enthused us to repeat this festival for the second time in Hyderabad. I wish to place on record my thanks and gratitude to the Government of Andhra Pradesh for supporting this activity in a big way. As you all are aware the fish festivals of this kind are being organized all over the country with the objective of promoting fisheries development activities by introducing a professional approach to bring new concepts and new technologies to enhance the fish productivity and production, we intend to create greater employment opportunities, empowerment of women and nutritional and food security.
I hope these festivals would promote consumption and value addition of fish by building awareness about health benefits of fish amongst the esteemed consumers.
Infish-2010 is organized for four days from 9-12 July 2010 to showcase various technological advancements and achievements by various National Research Organizations/ Institutions, a pavilion for exhibiting attractive and colorful ornamental fishes and a large number of food courts for preparation and display various kinds of ready to eat and ready to cook fish products.
A technical seminar on aquarium fishes, culture of murrels along with stakeholders meeting of hoteliers is also well thought of. A major attraction is fish recipe competition for women and live recipe demonstration by reputed Chef’s of well known hotels.
I wish this festival would satisfy the palate of large number of consumers in tasting various kinds of fish products besides producing a handbook on Fish recipes in addition to awareness building on fisheries and aquaculture technological advancements.
In this regard, I am happy to inform you that the NFDB which is established at Hyderabad for promoting fisheries and aquaculture in the country through professional management has started working with full strength from 2006 onwards.
I wish to mention that so far NFDB has been given an amount of Rs. 226.9 crores and this year we have allocated a budget of Rs. 92.30 crores. They have utilized an amount of Rs.220.00 crores so far with the following major achievements.
1. Under intensive aquaculture in ponds and tanks, about 6500 hectares of area has been developed for fish culture, 40 fish seed hatcheries were established, and renovated with an amount of Rs. 52.91 crores. It is proposed to bring in an additional 2000 ha under intensive aquaculture during this year.
2. Under reservoir development, 1985 reservoirs covering an area of 11.00 lakh hectares were stocked with 57.10 crores of fish fingerlings with an amount of Rs. 73.94 crores. The reservoir fish production which was hardly 20-25kg/ha has increased to about 50- 75kg/ha during the last 3 years of implementation of this programme.
3. Rs.1.77 crores was provided as subsidy to entrepreneurs to establish 396 ornamental fish units, 10 aquarium fabrication units and 3 integrated ornamental units. For promoting this activity a budget of Rs. 1.86 crores is ear marked for this year.
4. For establishing an aquatic animal health quarantine facility at Nelankari, Chennai, to demonstrate the techno economic viability of sea bass culture in field and to train 4640 farmers in coastal aquaculture Rs. 7.00 crores were provided as assistance.
5. To demonstrate the techno economic viability of sea cage farming, NFDB extended a financial assistance of Rs. 1.20 crores to CMFRI, Kochi.
6. NFDB provided an assistance of Rs. 2.05 crores to NIFPHATT, Cochin for setting up of common facility centre for export processing of Sashimi grade tuna at Vizag and to conduct training for fishermen in deep sea fishing.
7. Rs. 27.39 crores has been provided as grant towards modernization of 6 fishing harbours in the country, to establish IQF machinery at Sasoondock, Mumbai.
8. Rs. 22.30 crores has been provided towards modernization of 23 whole sale fish markets, 21 retail markets, 58 fish drying platforms, 5 fish dressing centres and to train 935 fish handlers and traders on hygienic handling of fish and value addition.
During this year, I have requested NFDB to focus on enhancing fish production in the reservoirs as well as farmers ponds. The NFDB is currently focusing on this strategy so that the targeted production of 10 million tons can be achieved shortly. A major focus that the department desires is promotion of ornamental fishes. The Government of Kerala has established a PPP model company to promote ornamental fisheries and to develop an export hub. I appeal to the government of Andhra Pradesh also to focus attention on this model.
While I am happy that, conducting the fish festival at Hyderabad for the second time is indeed commendable, the NFDB may consider taking up such festivals in Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi and other major cities during the course of the year. I request the processing industry and the entrepreneurs to focus the attention on promotion of value added products so as to promote more consumption of fish in the country.
I wish the farmers, the ornamental fish producers, scientists and public in general all the best and wish this programme all the success.
I request the press and the electronic media to communicate the message and encourage participation of large number of people to see and enjoy the opportunities developed in the venue.
I wish the exhibition all the best and congratulate the leaders of NFDB in launching this laudable initiative.
Thanking YouJAI HIND
SPEECH OF PROF. K.V. THOMAS , HON’BLE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE, CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION, GOVT. OF INDIA
Good evening and welcome to all of you for Indian Fish Festival-2010.
Respected Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Rosaiah ji, Shri K. Pardha Saradhi, Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, Fisheries, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Nitin Raut, Hon’ble Minister for Animal Husbandry Dairy & Fisheries, Govt. of Maharashtra, Shri Danam Nagender, Hon’ble Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Govt. Andhra Pradesh, Smt. B. Karthika Chandra Reddy, Hon’ble Mayor, GHMC, Hyderabad, My colleague in Parliament Shri Anjan Kumar Yadav, Senior Officers from the Ministry, MPEDA, ICAR, NABARD, Department of Fisheries, Andhra Pradesh and my dear fishermen, farmers, members from media, ladies and gentlemen.
It’s a great privilege to be amidst to all of you to participate and celebrate the Indian Fish Festival-2010. The overwhelming response received from the various fisheries stakeholders and the general public during last year has enthused us to repeat this festival for the second time in Hyderabad. I wish to place on record my thanks and gratitude to the Government of Andhra Pradesh for supporting this activity in a big way. As you all are aware the fish festivals of this kind are being organized all over the country with the objective of promoting fisheries development activities by introducing a professional approach to bring new concepts and new technologies to enhance the fish productivity and production, we intend to create greater employment opportunities, empowerment of women and nutritional and food security.
I hope these festivals would promote consumption and value addition of fish by building awareness about health benefits of fish amongst the esteemed consumers.
Infish-2010 is organized for four days from 9-12 July 2010 to showcase various technological advancements and achievements by various National Research Organizations/ Institutions, a pavilion for exhibiting attractive and colorful ornamental fishes and a large number of food courts for preparation and display various kinds of ready to eat and ready to cook fish products.
A technical seminar on aquarium fishes, culture of murrels along with stakeholders meeting of hoteliers is also well thought of. A major attraction is fish recipe competition for women and live recipe demonstration by reputed Chef’s of well known hotels.
I wish this festival would satisfy the palate of large number of consumers in tasting various kinds of fish products besides producing a handbook on Fish recipes in addition to awareness building on fisheries and aquaculture technological advancements.
In this regard, I am happy to inform you that the NFDB which is established at Hyderabad for promoting fisheries and aquaculture in the country through professional management has started working with full strength from 2006 onwards.
I wish to mention that so far NFDB has been given an amount of Rs. 226.9 crores and this year we have allocated a budget of Rs. 92.30 crores. They have utilized an amount of Rs.220.00 crores so far with the following major achievements.
1. Under intensive aquaculture in ponds and tanks, about 6500 hectares of area has been developed for fish culture, 40 fish seed hatcheries were established, and renovated with an amount of Rs. 52.91 crores. It is proposed to bring in an additional 2000 ha under intensive aquaculture during this year.
2. Under reservoir development, 1985 reservoirs covering an area of 11.00 lakh hectares were stocked with 57.10 crores of fish fingerlings with an amount of Rs. 73.94 crores. The reservoir fish production which was hardly 20-25kg/ha has increased to about 50- 75kg/ha during the last 3 years of implementation of this programme.
3. Rs.1.77 crores was provided as subsidy to entrepreneurs to establish 396 ornamental fish units, 10 aquarium fabrication units and 3 integrated ornamental units. For promoting this activity a budget of Rs. 1.86 crores is ear marked for this year.
4. For establishing an aquatic animal health quarantine facility at Nelankari, Chennai, to demonstrate the techno economic viability of sea bass culture in field and to train 4640 farmers in coastal aquaculture Rs. 7.00 crores were provided as assistance.
5. To demonstrate the techno economic viability of sea cage farming, NFDB extended a financial assistance of Rs. 1.20 crores to CMFRI, Kochi.
6. NFDB provided an assistance of Rs. 2.05 crores to NIFPHATT, Cochin for setting up of common facility centre for export processing of Sashimi grade tuna at Vizag and to conduct training for fishermen in deep sea fishing.
7. Rs. 27.39 crores has been provided as grant towards modernization of 6 fishing harbours in the country, to establish IQF machinery at Sasoondock, Mumbai.
8. Rs. 22.30 crores has been provided towards modernization of 23 whole sale fish markets, 21 retail markets, 58 fish drying platforms, 5 fish dressing centres and to train 935 fish handlers and traders on hygienic handling of fish and value addition.
During this year, I have requested NFDB to focus on enhancing fish production in the reservoirs as well as farmers ponds. The NFDB is currently focusing on this strategy so that the targeted production of 10 million tons can be achieved shortly. A major focus that the department desires is promotion of ornamental fishes. The Government of Kerala has established a PPP model company to promote ornamental fisheries and to develop an export hub. I appeal to the government of Andhra Pradesh also to focus attention on this model.
While I am happy that, conducting the fish festival at Hyderabad for the second time is indeed commendable, the NFDB may consider taking up such festivals in Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi and other major cities during the course of the year. I request the processing industry and the entrepreneurs to focus the attention on promotion of value added products so as to promote more consumption of fish in the country.
I wish the farmers, the ornamental fish producers, scientists and public in general all the best and wish this programme all the success.
I request the press and the electronic media to communicate the message and encourage participation of large number of people to see and enjoy the opportunities developed in the venue.
I wish the exhibition all the best and congratulate the leaders of NFDB in launching this laudable initiative.
Thanking YouJAI HIND
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