Agricultural Institutions — Set 1

Correct Answer: C. 1929

ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) was established in 1929 as a statutory body under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture. It coordinates, guides, and manages research and education in agriculture and allied sciences. ICAR has a network of over 100 institutes and 71 agricultural universities. It played a pivotal role in India's Green Revolution and continues to drive agricultural innovation.

Correct Answer: B. Indian Council of Agricultural Research

ICAR stands for Indian Council of Agricultural Research, the apex body in India for agricultural research and education. It operates under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. ICAR's research encompasses crop science, soil science, horticulture, animal science, fisheries, and agricultural engineering. Its research has significantly contributed to India's food grain production growth.

Correct Answer: A. Pusa Institute

IARI is popularly known as the Pusa Institute, named after its original location in Pusa, Bihar (established 1905) before it was shifted to New Delhi after an earthquake in 1934. IARI is the premier national institute for agricultural research in India. It developed landmark wheat varieties like PV-18, Sharbati Sonora, and Kalyansona that were instrumental in the Green Revolution. IARI is a deemed university under ICAR.

Correct Answer: C. New Delhi

IARI (Indian Agricultural Research Institute) is located in New Delhi on the Pusa campus. It was originally established in Pusa, Bihar in 1905 and shifted to New Delhi after the Bihar earthquake of 1934 destroyed the original campus. IARI developed the dwarf wheat varieties central to India's Green Revolution. It is also known as Pusa Institute and remains India's premier agricultural research institute.

Correct Answer: C. G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar

G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT) in Pantnagar, Uttarakhand was established in 1960 as the first agricultural university in India. It was established on the land-grant model of American universities. Norman Borlaug, who later won the Nobel Peace Prize for Green Revolution, helped design the Pantnagar wheat research program. GBPUAT is commonly called Pantnagar University.

Correct Answer: D. Ludhiana

Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) is located in Ludhiana, Punjab. It was established in 1962. PAU played a crucial role in developing high-yielding wheat and paddy varieties for the Punjab region, directly enabling the Green Revolution in India. PAU's wheat variety PV-18 and paddy variety PR-106 became icons of the Green Revolution. It remains one of India's most respected agricultural universities.

Correct Answer: C. Verghese Kurien

NDDB was established by Dr. Verghese Kurien, popularly known as the 'Father of the White Revolution in India' and 'Milkman of India'. Kurien transformed India's dairy sector through the cooperative model, making India the world's largest milk producer. He designed Operation Flood (1970) that created national milk grid through cooperative networks. NDDB is headquartered in Anand, Gujarat.

Correct Answer: C. Anand

NDDB (National Dairy Development Board) is headquartered in Anand, Gujarat. Anand is also known as the birthplace of the Amul cooperative model. NDDB was established in 1965 at Anand. It implemented Operation Flood to replicate the Amul model across India. The city of Anand in Kaira (Kheda) district became synonymous with India's dairy revolution.

Correct Answer: B. 1970

Operation Flood was launched in 1970 by NDDB under the leadership of Verghese Kurien. It is considered the world's largest dairy development programme. It ran in three phases: Phase I (1970-80), Phase II (1981-85), and Phase III (1985-96). The programme created a national milk grid connecting village dairy cooperatives to urban consumers and transformed India into the world's largest milk producer.

Correct Answer: C. 1982

NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) was established on July 12, 1982 based on the recommendations of the Shivaraman Committee. It was set up to provide credit and developmental support for agriculture and rural development. NABARD took over the agricultural credit functions of RBI and refinancing operations of Agricultural Refinance and Development Corporation (ARDC). Its headquarters is in Mumbai.