In 1997-98, ICAR mobilised resources to the tune of Rs 26 crore as against Rs 11 core in the previous year. In the current year, the resource mobilisation is expected to be about Rs 36 crore.

This was stated by the director-general of ICAR, R S Paroda, after signing an agreement for cooperation in exchange of agricultural research information and biological control of pests with the UK-based Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau International (CABI) here on Friday. The agreement will be effective from September this year.

Paroda stated that both CABI and ICAR are institutions of 70 years standing as the previous incarnation of ICAR, the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research, was established at the same time as that of CABI. CABI has almost grown to a self-reliant institution with only two per cent supportfrom 40 member countries.

The autonomous institution, ICAR, too was moving towards achieving some amount of self-reliance in finance as per recommendations of the Johl committee. Total self-reliance at this stage of the Indian economy is not possible as the institution has to provide extension and allied services to many small and marginal farmers, he said.

ICAR has already started charging fees for services rendered to several seed, fertiliser and pesticide companies. It has instituted the policy of use of revolving funds by its member organisation for generating facilities and products. ICAR scientists are allowed to sign contract research programmes with other orgainsations on behalf of ICAR and are also allowed to render consultancy services and training against adequate fees. Besides, text books prepared by ICAR are marketed on a commercial basis.

Paroda stated that the agreement signed with CABI will boost the commercial potential of ICAR. ICAR will be able to able access to the entire data baseof CABI. Quality text books can be prepared with the association of CABI. ICAR can also get its text books marketed abroad through CABI.

CABI will help ICAR in indexing of literature and provide information network. The CABI facility will help to link the krishi vigyan kendras under the World Bank-aided National Agriculture Technology Programme (NATP). Besides, there would be a joint research programme for biological control of insects and pests, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, director-general of CABI, Jim Gilmore, said India is a major contributor to CABI as it contributes pounds 11,000 per annum out of the total contributions made by 40 member countries which amounted to 5,00,000 pounds.