Agriculture Allied Institutions

Before the mid-1960s, India relied on imports and food aid to meet domestic requirements. However, two years of severe drought in 1965 and 1966 convinced India to reform its agricultural policy and that it could not rely on foreign aid and imports for food security. India adopted significant policy reforms focused on the goal of food grain self-sufficiency. This ushered in India's Green Revolution. It began with the decision to adopt superior yielding, disease resistant wheat varieties in combination with better farming knowledge to improve productivity. The state of Punjab led India's green revolution and earned the distinction of being the country's breadbasket

Institution Allied to Agriculture

1. Department of Agriculture

This department has a vital role to play in the advancement of agriculture. It acts as a link between the farmers and the agricultural scientists. It delivers important information to the farmers on scientific cultivation of crops, crop protection, agricultural mechanization, soil conservation techniques, conservation of natural resources, etc. The department organizes camps at village/block/district levels to transfer this information to farmers. In addition to the camps, it also organizes exhibitions and demonstrations of recent technological advancements in agriculture It controls the quality of fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, weedicides etc. as a result of which only those products reach the farmer which go through the quality measures set up by this department. The department also hosts soil testing, seed testing and fertilizer testing laboratories. It also supports Agmark laboratories for testing the quality of edible products such as honey, mustard, chilies, etc. The department oversees all agriculture related government schemes as well as financial assistance for agriculture related projects. The department works under the aegis of the Director, Agriculture. Who is assisted by Joint Directors of Agriculture. Chief Agricultural Officer works at the District level and is assisted by Agriculture Officers, Agricultural Development Officers, Sub-Inspectors (Agriculture) and other officials. The Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) has also been set up to harmonize all agriculture related activities among various departments related to agricultural development and extension. 

a)Structure

1. The department works under the aegis of the Director, Agriculture. Joint Directors of agriculture , Chief Agriculture Officer works at District level and is assisted by Agriculture officers, Agriculture development officers and Sub-Inspectors and other officials.
2.  The Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) has also been set up to harmonize all agriculture related activities among various departments related to agricultural development and extensions.

b)Functions

This department has a vital role to play in advancement of agriculture.

It acts as a link between the farmers and agricultural scientist.

1. Delivers important information to farmers on scientific cultivation of crops, crop protection, agriculture mechanization, soil conservation techniques, conservation of natural resources, etc.
2. Organizes camps at village/block/district levels to transfer this information to farmers.
3. Organizes exhibitions and demonstrations of recent technological advancements in agriculture.
4. Controls the quality of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, weedicides etc.
5. The department also hosts soil, seed, pesticide and fertilizer testing laboratories.
6. Supports Agmark laboratories for testing the quality of edible products such as honey, mustard, chillies,
7. Also help in making and implementing all govt. schemes as well as financial assistance for agriculture related work.

2. Punjab Agriculture Agency

1.  This University came into being in 1962 and was established on the Model of American Land Grant Colleges.
2. The university deals with agriculture and allied research, teaching and extension. It served a vital role in making India food rich and self-dependent, along with being a key factor in ushering in the Green Revolution in the country.
3. On account of the University's excellent landmarks in agricultural research, teaching and extension, it was honored and credited as the topmost National Ranking Agricultural University in 1996 by the ICAR.

 3. Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University(Ludhiana, Punjab)

1. This university came up in 2005.
2. Engaged in research, teaching and extension in rearing cattle, buffaloes, pigs. goats, sheep. rabbits, horses and fishes.
3. The university houses a multispecialty 24 x 7 Hospital, catering to sick animals. Lakhs of people who bring along with their unwell and diseased animals have benefitted from the services of this hospital.
4. The university has four constituent colleges;

• Veterinary College,
• College of Dairy Science and Technology,
• College of Fisheries
• Veterinary Polytechnic.

1. Besides these, there are three Regional Research and Training Centres- Kaljharani (Bathinda), Booh (Taran Taran) and Talwara (Hoshiarpur).
2. ICAR has nominated Surgery and Gynaecology Department of the College of Veterinary Sciences as Super-specialty Training Centres.

4.Department of Horticulture

Earlier this department functioned under department of Agriculture but in 1979-80, came up as independent department, catering to the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, flowers and mushrooms.

Objectives :

1. Increasing/expanding areas for of cultivation of horticulture crops.
2. Transfer of technical know/how of horticulture crops to farmers
3. Providing good quality seeds of vegetables, fruits and spawn.
4. Providing financial assistance for field demonstration of vegetable crops.
5. Providing assistance pertaining to post harvest handling after picking vegetables and fruits and their subsequent marketing.

5. Animal Husbandry Department:

 Livestock rearing plays a major role in the economic status of Punjab. It is not only an opportunity for self-employment, but also an additional business venture for small farmers and the economically weaker agricultural labour class.

Objectives:

1. To organize timely vaccination and de-worming missions so as to secure animal health.
2.  To promote fertility of animals and improve breeding amongst them.
3.  To improve animal care and nutrition.
4. To provide extension services.

6. Department of Dairy Development

This department has been given the responsibility of looking into the overall development of dairy sector in Punjab. The Department functions under the supervision of the Director, Dairy Development and assisted by the Joint Director. At the district level, the charge is with the Deputy Director.

Functions

1. The development and extension work of dairy training and dairy farming are the responsibilities of this department; which efficiently runs eight Training and Extension Centres in Punjab. Trainings imparted at these centres include

•  Two Week Self-employment Training,
• Six-week Dairy Business,
• Two-Week Free S.CJ Women Training
• Two-week Dairy Producer Training.

ii. Apart from these trainings, one day training camps are organized in villages to instruct the farmers about the benefits of dairy training and also to encourage them to adopt this occupation.

iii.  urban sectors, are given the technical know-how of constructing sheds. Besides, they are given subsidies for their business venture in this field.

iv. Provided assistance in the purchase of milk animals.

v.  The subsidy is also made available for the mechanization of dairy farms-such as on the purchase of milking machine, fodder harvester and fodder cutter.

7.Department of Fisheries:

 It is one of the oldest departments of Punjab State. It is headed by the Asstt. Director. Fisheries at the district level: wherein the focus is on the care and maintenance of fishes in rivers, streams, lakes and notified water bodies. The Department earns revenue by lending these resources on rent/lease. Fishery is a good source of self-employment.

The Fish Farmers Development Agency was established in 1975 to promote fish farming in the state.

 The fish farming department imparts free five-day training every month, besides granting subsidies and providing other extension services to fish farmers.

8.Soil and Water Conservation Department:

This department came into being in 1969 as an independent department. It was earlier a part of the Department of Agriculture.

Structure :

 This department functions under the Chief Soil Conservator, Punjab. Govt. Divisional Soil Conservation Officers' district level.

Sub-Divisional Soil Conservation Officer at Tehsil level and

Soil Conservation Officer at block level.

Functions

(i)The department is concerned with activities like land levelling, contour bundling for cultivation on slopes, improvement of land affected with soil erosion.

(ii)Constructing check dams in Kandi area to tame excessive rain water, optimum utilization of conserved water,

(iii)Excavating existing ponds so as to make them viable for usage,

(iv)Laying of underground pipes for irrigation, boosting drip and fountain irrigation and encouraging diversification in farming.

9. Department of cooperation

It came to existence as an independent department only after the Punjab Co-operative Act which was passed in 1904. The department has played a pivotal role in the development of rural and agriculture sector. The Co-operatives have played an integral part in the Green Revolution of the state by efficiently distributing seeds. fertilizers. agro-chemicals and by providing financial assistance in the form of loans. This department is diligently serving the cause of farming till date.

OBJECTIVE 

i. Planned economic development in the rural sector is one of the chief responsibilities of this department. Beneficiary schemes for the ruralities run by this department are as follows:

(ii)Providing short and medium tens loans to farmers for agricultural production through Primary Agricultural Co-operative Societies (PACSs) at village level.

(ii)Providing self-employment opportunities to rural women under the Mai Bhago Woman Empowerment Scheme.

(iii)Providing free medical aid to members of Multipurpose Primary Co-operative Societies under Bhai Ghania Health Scheme.

(iv)Establishing Agro Service Centres for farmers through Primary Agricultural Multipurpose Co-operative Societies.

(v)Supplying essential domestic item products to the rural sector through Co-operative Societies.

(vi)Arranging marketing facilities for agricultural produce under Co-operative Marketing Societies.

(vii)Providing seeds, fertilizers. pesticides. etc. at subsidized rates to farmers through MARKFED and also facilitate the processing and marketing of agricultural produce.

(viii)Procuring milk from rural area through Milk fed and improvise its marketing and processing in the urban sector.

 Apart from these, some co-operative organizations are engaged in specialized tasks for not only the rural sector, but also other sectors of the society, such as:

(i)Punjab State Co-operative Bank, Chandigarh and Central Co-operative Banks at the District level provide short and medium term loans for agricultural purposes as well as to other sections of the society.

(ii)Punjab State Co-operative Agricultural Development Bank, Chandigarh and Primary Agricultural Development Banks provide medium/long term loans to farmers for farm mechanization and farm development, etc.

10.PUNSEED (Punjab State Seed Corporation Limited):

Punjab State Seeds Corporation Limited started operating from 1976.

OBJECTIVE :

(I)To provide better quality seeds at reasonable price to farmers and develop seed production infrastructure that is able to respond rapidly to the fast changing demand of seeds with least costs.

(II)It also deals in buying-selling of seeds.

11. Punjab Agro-Industries Corporation Limited(PAIC) :

This organization of the Punjab Govt. came into being in 1966 .

OBJECTIVE:

(i)Bringing diversity in farming through processing and marketing of agricultural produce and contract farning.

(ii)Promote agro-bared industries.

12.Punjab Agro Foodgrain Corporation (PAFC)

Punjab Agro Foodgrain Corporation came up as a subsidiary branch of PAIC in 2002.

This organization works under the aegis of Food Corporation of India (FCI) and is associated with the procurement of wheat, rice from the farmers of the state.

13.Punjab Agri Export Corporation Ltd.

(PAGREXCO): It is a joint venture of the Punjab Agro Industries Corporation and Punjab Mandl Board.

OBLECTIVE :

It deals with establishing a infra structure for the export of fresh and processed fruits, vegetables and Flowers, and other agricultural products.

14. Punjab Khadi and Gram Udyog Board :

This was set up in 1958. It is a semi-government organization, dealing in providing all support for the promotion of rural industrialization to create employment.

15. Punjab State Farmers Commission:

The economy of Punjab has witnessed a continuous boost from 1950-1990. This growth was a result of an increase in the agricultural produce. However, since 1990, the rate of economic growth has declined sharply due to a fall in the agricultural income. This phenomenon also led to a series of serious crisis such as over exploitation of natural resources and ecological imbalance. This adversely affected the sustainability of agriculture. Considering this situation, Punjab Govt. constituted the Punjab State Farmers Commission under the chairmanship of Dr G.S. ICalkat in 2005. The Financial Commissioner (Development), Punjab; along with the Vice-Chancellors of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and Gum Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana are its official members. The progressive farmers of Punjab/agricultural scientists are also the members of this Commission. This Commission has the following tasks to undertake: (i) To examine and review the status of agriculture and allied sectors in the state and that of rural infrastructure. (ii) To suggest measures of economically viable and ecologically sustainable agriculture development. (iii) Formulating medium and long term policies for ushering farm diversity in 

16 .Punjab Khadi and Gram Udyog Board :

This was set up in 1958.11 is a semi-government organization, dealing in providing all support for the promotion of rural industrialization to create employment.

17. Punjab State Farmers Commission:

 The economy of Punjab has witnessed a continuous boost from 1950- 1990. This growth was a result of an increase in the agricultural produce. However. since 1990, the rate of economic growth has declined sharply due to a fall in the agricultural income. This phenomenon also led to a series of serious crisis such as over exploitation of natural resources and ecological imbalance. This adversely affected the sustainability of agriculture Considering this situation. Punjab Govt. constituted the Punjab State Farmers Commission under the chairmanship of Dr G.S. Kalkat in 2005.

Structure  :

Its official members are

The Financial Commissioner (Development), Punjab

Vice-Chancellors of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana

Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana are its official members.

The progressive farmers of Punjab/agricultural scientists are also the members of this Commission.

This Commission has the following tasks to undertake:

(i)To examine and review the status of agriculture and allied sectors in the state and that of rural infrastructure.

(ii)To suggest measures of economically viable and ecologically sustainable agriculture development.

(iii)Formulating medium and long term policies for ushering farm diversity in direct relation to the fast occurring changes at the national and international levels in view of the World Trade Agreement.

(iv)To examine the potential of employment in agriculture and allied sectors and to promote non-farm activities through the creation of fundamental infrastructure.

(v)To guide in the development and implementation of cost effective post harvest technologies to increase the agricultural production.

(vi)To provide financial help for conducting research on contentious like rural indebtedness, suicides in rural area and rural employment. Then to formulate policies and make recommendations on the basis of the results of these studies.

15.IFFCO, KRIBCO and NFL:

Are the chief organizations engaged in the production and distribution of fertilizers.

IIFCO - Indian Farmers Fertilizer Co-operative Ltd. IFFCO has the unique reputation of being the largest co-operative in the world since 1967.

KRIBCO -  Krishak Bhart Co-operative Ltd. KRIBCO came up in 1980 mainly deals in the production of urea.

NFL - National Fertilizer Ltd. NFL which was established in 1974 as a central public sector organization dealing with urea.

All these three organizations are not only concerned with the marketing of fertilizers but also with transfer of latest agricultural technologies to the farmers through extension activities. There by helping in the betterment of farmers' economic status. These organizations also offer free services to the farmers for testing their soil and water.

16.Food Corporation of India (FCI):

 Keeping in mind the interests of the farmers and to provide them reasonable prices for their produce.

The FCI came Into being under the Food Corporation Act. 1964. The foodgrains procured through this agency is further distributed in the country through Public Distribution System.

This corporation is also responsible for maintaining a buffer stock to ensure food security of the nation. It also helps to stabilize the prices of agricultural produce.

17.National Seeds Corporation (NSC):

This organization was set up in 1963 with a view to produce certified seed. It functions under the Union Ministry of Agriculture. Currently. it is producing seeds of at least 600 varieties of 60 crops. The NSC has implemented stringent quality control measures through its five testing laboratories in order to supervise seed quality.

18.Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR):

 It is an autonomous body of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education of the Union Ministry of Agriculture. Working since 1929.

 it has its main office in Delhi.

It is an esteemed organization which manages and provides directions to the research, extension and teaching and also maintains a mutual balance among all these components in the country.

Approximately 100 institutions across the country and 55 state agricultural universities are linked/associated with it.

OBJECTIVE :

(i)Conduct research in agriculture, horticulture. forestry. animal husbandry, fisheries. home science as well as planning the dissemination of their technologies.

(ii)Boosting and encouraging agricultural research and extension at large.

19.National Bank of Agricultural and Rural Development (NABARD):

This organization was set lip in 1982 under the Reserve Rank of India (RBI).

It is one of the chief organ of RBI and is primarily associated with sanctioning agricultural and rural development loans.

 Its headquarters are in Mumbai while its Regional and Sub-offices function in almost all the state capitals and major cities.

 It Is mainly concerned with overall rural development which includes—promoting agriculture, small scale industries,  domestic and rural business ventures,  handloom and other rural economic activities.

Besides. it is instrumental in providing loans to scheduled castes ,  commercial bank, State Land Development Bank. Regional Rural Bank etc. The NABARD also maintains mutual harmony among all these organizations. Besides keeping a watchful observation on their working. It acts as a regulator for all these banks. It assists the state governments to achieve their proposed loan targets for agricultural and rural development.

Agriculture related other international organizations

(i)World Trade Organization (WTO):

The General Agreements on Tariff and Trade (GATT) was established in 1948 for the smooth functioning of international trade and also to take care of any difficulties that arise in the same.

Earlier, agricultural trade was not included in the purview of this organization. but since 1995, agricultural trade, textile or cloth industry. Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and services, too have come under its ambit and GATT was changed to World Trade Organization (WTO).

It started with merely 23 members, which has now grown to 160.

OBJECTIVE:

(a) Removing restrictions/lifting bans on the sale of agricultural produce.

 (b) To reduce or abolish the agricultural subsidies given to farmers.

( c) Reducing tariffs on the sale of agricultural produce.

(d) Reduction in agricultural export subsidies.

 (e) Patenting varieties of crops and trees similar to industrial goods.

(f) To abolish fixed export quota system and draft a working export policy regarding the same.

(ii)Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO):

This United Nations Organisation was established in 1943 to eliminate hunger and starvation from the face of this earth. Its headquarters are situated in Rome (Italy). Its chief mission is to ensure food security to each individual in the world. Apart from this, its aim is also to ensure sustainable maintenance of natural resources for prosperity.