ICAR-IASRI Annual Report 2015-16

Abstract

This report highlights the research achievements made, new methodologies developed, significant advisory and consultancy services provided, dissemination of knowledge acquired and human resource development. The scientists,technical personnel, administrative, finance and other staff of the Institute have put in their best efforts in fulfilling the mandate of the Institute. During the year, research was carried out under 84 research projects (41 Institute funded, 37 externally funded, 1 National Professor Scheme, 1 National Fellow Scheme and 4 Consultancy Projects) in various thrust areas. Out of these, 37 projects were in collaboration with other Institutes, 16 projects were completed, 01 project was declared closed and 33 new projects were initiated. A landmark for the institute this year is that ICAR-IASRI has been declared as National Level Agency (NLA) under MIDH (Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture). KRISHI (Knowledge based Resources Information Systems Hub for Innovations in agriculture) portal (http://krishi.icar.gov.in/) has been launched as a centralized data repository system of ICAR. ICAR Data Centre established at ICAR-IASRI acquired the certification for ISO/IEC 20000 and ISO/IEC 27001 for IT- service management and information security legislation respectively. The Institute has made its presence felt in the National Agricultural Research and Education System (NARES) through its research and human resource development programmes. The Institute has contributed significantly by providing excellent human resource to NARES in the disciplines of Agricultural Statistics and Informatics. During the year, 24 training programmes (four under Centre of advanced Faculty Training, eight Resource Generation training programs, and twelve other training programmes sponsored by Education Division, ICAR; PG School, IARI, New Delhi and the Institute) were organized in which 532 participants were imparted training. During the year, a total of 24 students (3 Ph.D. (Agricultural Statistics), 8 M.Sc. (Agricultural Statistics), 8 M.Sc. (Computer Application) and 5 M.Sc. (Bioinformatics) ) completed their degrees. 32 students (9 Ph.D. (Agricultural Statistics), 7 M.Sc. (Agricultural Statistics), 4 Ph.D. (Computer Application), 5 M.Sc. (Computer Application), 3 Ph.D. (Bioinformatics) and 4 M.Sc. (Bioinformatics) ) were admitted. A Senior Certificate Course in Agricultural Statistics and Computing was also organized. The Institute has made important contributions in strengthening National Agricultural Statistics System (NASS), which has a direct impact on the national policies. The Institute has published 139 research papers in National and International refereed Journals along with 27 popular articles/short communications, 1 pocket diary, 2 books, 39 book chapters, 4 papers in conference proceedings and 46 project reports/ technical bulletins/monograph/reference manuals/brochures. Besides, 13 Workshop documents/ database/e-manuals/eresources/e-learning portal were also developed. Dr. Hukum Chandra received National Award in Statistics 2014-15 from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India; Dr. Seema Jaggi received the INSA Teacher Award 2015; Dr. Alka Arora received Active participation Award Women Member 2014-15; Dr. AR Rao was awarded NAAS-Fellowship. Dr.Sarika received the Distinguished Scientist Award; Dr. MA Iquebal received Young Scientist Award; Dr. Ranjit Kumar Paul received Young Scientist Award; Dr. Sarika and Dr. MA Iquebal received Team Award; Dr. Arpan Bhowmik received Dr. GR Seth Memorial Young Scientist Award; Dr. Dinesh Kumar received Distinguished Scientist Award and Gold Medal with Certificate of Academic Excellence and Dr. Eldho Varghese and Dr. Arpan Bhowmik were awarded with Krishi Vigyan Gaurav Honorary Title. Smt. Suman Khanna received ICAR Cash Award/Certificate of Distinction 2014 under Administrative Category. This year, scientists were deputed on different assignments to Rome, Italy; Jakarta, Indonesia; Kigali, Rwanda; Kingston, Jamaica; Sri Lanka; Daejeon, Republic of Korea and Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Three seminars were delivered by Guest Speakers namely Prof. Bikash Sinha, Former Member, National Statistics Commission and Professor, Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata; Dr. Dulal K. Bhowmick, Director, BRC, University of Illinois, USA; Dr. Balgobin Nandram, Professor of Statistics, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, USA.