Increased allocation for Agricultural Research

The Government has accorded the highest priority to Agricultural Research. Plan allocation of the Department of Agriculture Research and Education has been raised from Rs. 775 crore in the previous year to Rs.1000 crore for the current financial year 2004-05. ICAR institutions and agricultural universities came out with about 50 improved varieties/hybrids of crops. New vaccines were evolved for control of rinder pest, equine influenza, IBD and PARVO virus in animals, and vaccines for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), haemorrhagic septicaemia and sheep pox were improved.

Research programme on Micro organisms

A research programme on Micro organisms is to start soon at a cost of Rs.200 crore. It will help in developing varieties/species with desirable traits, soil enrichment, bio-conversion of organic waste, pharmaceuticals, post harvest processing, etc.

One Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in each district

The government has decided to establish at least one Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in each of the 578 rural districts of the country. The number of KVKs in the country now is 426 and the remaining rural districts would be covered during this Plan itself.

Setting up of National Museum on Agricultural Sciences

The National Museum on Agricultural Sciences has been set up to depict the evolution of agriculture in the sub-continent, the green revolution, and use of modern technologies in various branches of agriculture.