National Agricultural Science Fund (NASF)

National Agricultural Science Fund (NASF)

Introduction

The Indian National Agricultural Research System (NARS) has been in the forefront of developing suitable technologies for the farming community as well as generating scientific knowledge in agriculture and allied sectors. Application of basic strategic & applied research is imperative for technology development in the frontier areas of agriculture. Realizing its importance, the Government of India established a national fund to support basic and strategic research with the objective of building capacity in basic and strategic research for solving agricultural problems of immediate, long-term and anticipatory nature. This would help in building partnership of required expertise available in various disciplines and institutions across the country to make India a global leader in research and development.

The Fund was named as 'The National Fund for Basic, Strategic and Frontier Application Research in Agriculture' (NFBSFARA). With the experience gathered, results obtained and the base created during the plan periods (X and XI Plan), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi decided for a wider perspective and arena of NFBSFARA. It was realized that a strong and sustainable platform would help to develop scientific temperament, capacity and culture in the NARS to ensure continuous flow of knowledge, best and appropriate frontier technologies for solving problems in agriculture as well as providing suggestions for science-based policy in agriculture. Commensurate with this requirement, the name of the Fund was changed to 'National Agricultural Science Fund' (NASF) during the XII Plan.

Objectives

The main objective of the scheme has been to build capacity for basic, strategic and cutting-edge application research in agriculture and address issues which can be solved by intensive basic and strategic research jointly by team of organizations/ institutions. Underlying this objective are the following aims:

• Foster research and a research culture that will use and advance the frontiers of scientific knowledge to effectively meet the present, anticipated and unanticipated problems of agriculture through various modes and critical investments in research projects.

• Build the capability of the National Agricultural Research System through development of wide partnerships in science through projects.

• Build a storehouse of advancement of knowledge in science related to agriculture and awareness of the national importance of basic and strategic research in agriculture.

• To provide policy support to the decision makers for use of basic and strategic research in agriculture.

• Organization of workshops, seminars, conferences etc. to create awareness, prioritization, scientific popularization and related issues.

Vision

Harnessing science at the frontier of current knowledge and beyond for continually replenish the well of scientific knowledge for agricultural development and prosperity of the farmer.

Mission

To use frontier science and the national scientific talents to advance the problem-solving capacity of the extended national agricultural research system and the development of a dynamic knowledge base of Indian agriculture.

Strategic Areas of NASF

1. Biotechnology including gene editing, genomics, metabolomics and other omics in plants, animals and fisheries:

Genomics, genomic selection, gene/ QTLs mapping and tagging, allele mining, genomics assisted breeding (GAB), population genomics, transgenics, nutrigenomics, enriching the diversity of genetic resources, bio fortification assessment, genome editing (CRISPR), RNA interference (RNAi), animal cloning, metagenomics, epigenetics, metabolite engineering, metabolomics data integration, phenotyping, nutrient utilization efficiency, bioinformatics.

1. Abiotic and biotic stresses and, quality traits in plants, animals and fisheries: 

Drought tolerance, salinity management, temperature-resistance, heavy metals, radiation, disease and pest resistance, biosecurity measures, nutritional-stress management, invasive species control, probiotics, aquatic disease management.

1. Precision agriculture and management of natural resources; and application of sensors in crops, animals and fisheries: 

Conservation agriculture, crop diversification, crop residue management, climate change: impact assessment, prediction and mitigation, water quality and productivity, soil health, soil-microbiome management, vertical farming, protected agriculture, remote sensing and its applications: sensor technology, drone, Internet of Things(IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning(ML) based technologies, Block chain technology, robotics, variable-rate-technology (VRT)and post-harvest and zero waste processing technologies, digital twin farming, Agriculture for space including space farming.

1. Nanotechnology in agriculture: 

Nano-diagnostics and monitoring systems, design and fabrication of nano-agri inputs, nano-enabled delivery systems, encapsulation technologies, nano food systems, nano remediation and biosafety of agri-nano products, novel warehouses, novel transportation methods.

1. Farm mechanization and energy: 

Mechanization in agriculture, digitalization in farm machinery, sources and utilization of energy, alternate sources of energy, post-harvest value addition machinery, secondary processing technologies, innovative health food, use of agricultural wastes, novel transportation methods and livestock mechanization.

1. Social Sciences and Policy Research in Agriculture & Allied Areas: 

Agri-preneurship development & PPPs, performance of innovative models in agriculture extension, statistical models and Decision support systems(DSS), farmer/farm women/farm youth empowerment in agriculture, Effectiveness of present research-extension linkage mechanisms, Socio-economic and policy analysis for promotion of climate smart practices, sustainable agriculture/ resilience for sustainable livelihood and green credits/green banking, mapping of food commodities for exports competitiveness and marketing, research in effective media integration/high tech applications for disadvantaged areas and extension strategies for small ruminants, fisheries and agro-forestry.

Publications

• Glimpses of National Agricultural Science Fund (2006-2023) 

• List of Ongoing and Closed projects

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