IASRI Vision 2025

Abstract

Over the years, the Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute (IASRI) under the aegis of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research has served a very useful purpose and has made some notable contributions to the research in Agricultural Statistics in the fields like Sample Surveys, Design of Experiments, Statistical Genetics, Forecasting Techniques etc. The Institute has also made useful contributions in Econometrics and Computer Applications in Agriculture and Software development. The contributions of the Institute towards the education and training in Agricultural Statistics and Computer Applications have been outstanding. The Institute has played a significant role in strengthening the National Agricultural Research System (NARS) and the National Agricultural Statistics System (NASS). Nevertheless, in the fast changing global context, managing the change on a time scale, by converting weaknesses into opportunities to become internationally competitive, is considered important. We need to be forward looking and visible with appropriate research policies in place supported by the cutting edge technologies in order to attain and sustain global advantages. It is in this background that the formulation of a perspective plan with a visionary approach for the next 20 years is quite necessary. The clearly spelt out options and likely changes would enable the system to capitalize on our strengths so that the threats, if any, are converted into opportunities. Accordingly, the Institute has prepared its Perspective Plan up to 2025 for taking up the challenges of providing agricultural research workers with the required statistical methodologies for enriching the quality of the agricultural research in the country. Work on drafting a Perspective Plan began with the scientists of the Institute discussing and suggesting the direction in which the Institute has to reorient itself. Based on this, the first draft of Perspective Plan was prepared and discussed with seven subject matter experts appointed by ICAR. It was redrafted in the light of their comments. It is hoped that the framework prepared would continue to be reviewed to accommodate changes in future so that the perceived vision continues to be close to the expected target. In the years to come, based on the long term perspective, it would be relevant to put implementable plan to action on five yearly basis to match with the on going planning system of the country.