High-level meeting on ICAR’s Expenditure Finance Committee held under the chairmanship of Union Agriculture Minister

📌 Summary:

• Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan chaired a high-level meeting on the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) at 12, Safdarjung Road, New Delhi
• ICAR DG and Secretary DARE Dr M.L. Jat briefed the Minister on ICAR programmes, activities and the future roadmap
• Minister stressed that agriculture is the primary livelihood for a large population and a strong foundation of the Indian economy
• Directive: make Indian agriculture more productive, low-cost and profitable
• Special emphasis on wide-scale promotion of Integrated Farming Systems to raise farmers' incomes and protect Mother Earth (sustainability)
• Climate change impact is "clearly visible" in India and worldwide — officials directed to prepare State-wise Agricultural Roadmaps aligned with agro-climatic conditions, with State consent
• State roadmaps already underway for Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Rajasthan
• Senior ICAR officials briefed on action plan; Minister directed faster execution to meet targets ahead of schedule

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 — Indian Economy / Agriculture: institutional reform in agri-research, EFC budgeting mechanism, agro-climatic planning, climate-resilient agriculture, integrated farming for farmer income & sustainability.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• ICAR = Indian Council of Agricultural Research; an autonomous body under DARE, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
• DARE = Department of Agricultural Research and Education
• Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) appraises proposals with financial implications above ₹500 crore (Plan/Non-Plan)
• States with agricultural roadmaps under preparation: Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Rajasthan

🔑 Key Term: Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) — A Department of Expenditure (Ministry of Finance) committee that appraises plan/non-plan schemes with significant financial implications before Cabinet/CCEA approval.