ICAR-NAARM Annual Report 2010-11

Abstract

The landscape of Indian agriculture is changing. Entry of multi-nationals and organized sector in agriculture and agribusiness is opening new avenues in the entire value chain of agri-commodities. The paradigm shift calls for 'business unusual' in agri-research and education, human resource development, and policy communication. The challenge is to (i) change the mind-set of those involved in value chain of agri-commodities, and (ii) enhance the management skills of professionals to improve the production and marketing efficiency. This requires an integrated approach to harness the unlimited opportunities in changing agriculture scenario. The Academy accepted the challenge and with limited and outstanding faculty, it strived to contribute in transformation process. The Academy adopted a multi-pronged strategy, which relied on four pillars: (i) strong and need based research, (ii) capacity development; (iii) higher education in agricultural management; and (iv) effective policy communication. This year once again the Academy undertook large number of research projects in matrix-mode management, and organized as many as 50 capacity development programmes, which were attended by 1728 participants from National Agricultural Research System, corporate sector and organizations represented by civil societies. On education front, the first batch of post-graduate programme in agriculture (management) was completed successfully with excellent placement opportunities for the students. The post-graduate programme on technology management in agriculture was launched in a distance mode in partnership with the University of Hyderabad. The most significant accomplishment was starting Joint Entrance Test for Agribusiness management (JET-ABM) in partnership with MANAGE and NIAM. The Academy took key role in finalizing the process to reduce cost, ease pressure on students and project agribusiness in a partnership mode. The Academy also organized several policy communication workshops to participate in policy formulation.