AgriNation Network

New Delhi | 16 Feb 2017

Union Cabinet has approved establishment of Food Legumes Research Platform (FLRP) in Madhya Pradesh at Amlaha in Sehore district along with satellite hubs in West Bengal and Rajasthan by International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) to deal with the emerging food security challenges. The centres in West Bengal and Rajasthan will be set up for Pulses and Natural Resource Management respectively in the second phase.

According to the press release issued by Agri Ministry, “This is a research set up by an international organization. ICARDA has a good track record of innovation, as in climate resilient technologies including suitable food legume varieties for dry-land production systems. ICARDA will carry out research through a multi-disciplinary team of scientists for enhancing productivity of crops range-land and livestock”.

It further said, “A major international R&D institution will make India an even bigger center for agricultural research in the world and this in turn, will attract further research & development investment in the country”.

This platform will contribute significantly towards reducing poverty, improving food security, improving nutrition and health, and sustaining the natural resource base.   The research output would benefit farmers of all regions, whether big, small or marginal; and as technologies developed would be eligible for use by all farmers, the project is equitable and inclusive.

Cabinet has given ‘In principle’ approval for conferring on the Food Legume Research Platform of ICARDA an international status as contemplated in Clause 3 of the United Nations (Privileges and Immunities) Act, 1947.

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