Research projects to be funded under the National Food Security Mission

NEW DELHI: Agriculture ministry has invited research projects for funding under the National Food Security Mission(NFSM). The Ministry has issued guidelines on how research institutes can submit research projects to it for funding under the NFSM scheme.

The government has earmarked Rs 200 crores for supporting scientific research on subjects crucial for attaining goals of the mission during the 12th Five Year Plan.

The projects can be in areas ranging from conservation and efficient use of natural resources to management of diseases and pests, farm mechanisation, rain-water harvesting, improving agronomic practices and so on.

One important requirement of the research project will be that its outcome should be available in 3-4 years for adoption on large scale.

National Food Security Mission, launched in 2007-08, has been successful in achieving targets of foodgrain production set for the 11th Five Year Plan by addressing major constraints to crop productivity through promotion of relevant technological interventions.

The experience gained during the course of its implementation, however, revealed that many interventions need location specific refinements for ensuring their effectiveness. Besides, a good number of innovations made by farmers/ extension functionaries need scientific validation before their large scale promotion. In a few instances, there is lack of relevant technologies for addressing productivity related constraints. It is expected that practical solution to such issues will emerge from this research initiative.