Vacant Post of Agricultural Scientist: Lok Sabha Q&A

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

LOK SABHA

ANSWERED ON   26.02.2013

(a) the research work undertaken by various Research institutes/organisations in the agriculture sector during the last three years and the current year; 

(b) the steps taken by the Government to bring excellence in such research work; 

(c) whether there is shortage of agricultural scientists in research work and a large number of posts of agricultural scientists are lying vacant for several years; 

(d) if so, the details thereof; and 

(e) the steps taken by the Government to fill up these vacant posts?

(a) In the last three years and in the current year, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has been engaged in developing and refining farmer-friendly technologies and their assessment and refinement. Some of the path breaking research products developed include, development of Pusa hybrid rice 1121; new varieties of rice capable of withstanding drought (Sahbhagi Dhan) and water submergence (Swarna-Sub 1); rust resistant variety of wheat DBW 17, HD 2967; single cross hybrids of maize; breeder seed production, decoding of pigeon pea, chick pea and tomato, cloned buffalo and its offspring, poultry strains having annual egg yield of 305 eggs, technologies for development of vaccines for domestic animals, successful breeding of Cobia and silver pompano, shrimp open cage culture of seabass and aquaculture technologies. These have made India leading producer of rice, wheat, fruits, vegetables, milk, fish and eggs. The technologies so developed have place our national food security on a firm footing. 

(b) The ICAR has embarked upon several new programmes and initiatives that aim at improving the efficiency and impact of research by enhanced application of frontier sciences as space science, remote sensing, biotechnology, and information and communication technology. State of the art research facilities have been created in several institutes and the research infrastructure is continuously strengthened. Establishment of National Gene Bank, High Security Animal Disease Laboratory, National Bureau on Agriculturally Important Microorganisms, National Institute on Abiotic Stress Management and launching of National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture, National fund for Basic, Strategic and Frontier Application Research in Agriculture (NFBSFARA) have enabled bringing excellence to agricultural research. 

(c) to (e): Presently 23% of the positions in the scientific category (1475 posts) are vacant comprising of 367 Scientists, 725 Senior Scientists and 383 Principal Scientists and Research Managers. Recruitment of Scientists is a continuous process and vacancies are filled up through an established procedure subject to availability of appropriately qualified candidates in the required areas of specialization.