Report of the Working Group on Agricultural Research and Education for the Seventh Five Year Plan (1985-90)

Abstract

Great strides have been made in agricultural production since sixties following massive application of science and technology, which helped in transforming Indian agriculture from a subsistence type into a commercial farming system. The impact of R&D efforts is reflected in the achievement of self-sufficiency in food grain production from 51 million tonnes in 1950-51 to a record production of about 150 million tonnes in 1983-84. Similar achievements have been made in potato, apple, cotton, tobacco, sugarcane, milk, poultry, fish production etc. The country now has one of the largest research &. training infrastructure to work on the production and other emerging problems confronting agriculture to meet growing demands for food, fodder and fibre.