ICAR-IASRI Annual Report 2012-13

Abstract

During the year 2012-13, IASRI worked on 68 research projects in the Institute (01 National Professor Scheme, 38 Institute funded, 16 funded by other outside agencies and 13 in collaboration with other Institutions). A total of 11 projects have been completed and 19 new projects have been initiated. The Institute has made its presence felt in the National Agricultural Research System (NARS). The Institute is also becoming progressively a repository of information on agricultural research data and has taken a lead in the development of Financial Management System/ Management Information System for ICAR. Linkages have been established with all NARS organizations for strengthening statistical computing. For providing service oriented computing for the users of NARS, Indian NARS Statistical Computing portal has been strengthened by adding new modules. A National Agricultural Bioinformatics Grid (NABG) is being established with high performance computing facilities. The Institute also occupies a place of pride in the National Agricultural Statistics System (NASS) and has made several important contributions in strengthening NASS, which has a direct impact on the national policies. A web based software developed by the Institute for Half Yearly Progress Monitoring (HYPM) of scientists in ICAR has been implemented from 1st April 2012 at all the Institutes/Bureaus/Directorates/NRCs of ICAR for online submission of data regarding the proposed targets and achievements for the half yearly periods. A number of databases, web solutions, software and information/expert systems have been developed. Appropriate statistical techniques have also been recommended to researchers of NARS through advisory services. One of the thrust areas of the Institute is to develop trained manpower in the country in the disciplines of Agricultural Statistics and Informatics for meeting the challenges of Agricultural Research in the newer emerging areas. Twenty-one training programmes have been organised by the Institute during this period that includes two International training programmes (one sponsored by the FAO and the other for the participants from AARDO member countries). The national training programmes are conducted under Centre of Advanced Faculty Training, Summer/Winter Schools, Customized trainings, NAIP funded and training programmes for Technical Personnel of ICAR. In all, 374 participants have been trained in these training programmes. This year 17 students (03 Ph.D. (Agricultural Statistics), 09 M.Sc. (Agricultural Statistics) and 05 M.Sc. (Computer Application)) have completed their degrees. A Senior Certificate Course in Agricultural Statistics and Computing was also organised. Scientists of the Institute have published 94 research papers in National and International refereed Journals along with 27 popular articles, 3 books, 11 book chapters and 52 project reports/ technical reports/reference manuals. Some of our colleagues received academic distinctions during the year. Dr. VK Bhatia received Bharat Ratna Dr. C Subramaniam Award for Outstanding Teachers in Agriculture and Allied Sciences 2011 for excellent teaching in the field of Social Sciences from ICAR. Scientists of the Institute received various awards from Indian Society of Agricultural Statistics (ISAS) during International Conference on Statistics and Informatics in Agricultural Research. Dr. VK Gupta and Dr. VK Bhatia became ISAS fellow, Dr. Prajneshu received Sankhyiki Bhushan Award, Dr. Seema Jaggi received Prof. PV Sukhatme Gold Medal Award, Dr. Hukum Chandra received Dr. DN Lal Memorial Lecture Award and Dr. Ranjit Kumar Paul received Dr. GR Seth Memorial Young Scientist Award. Three research papers published in Journal of ISAS got Best Paper Award. One more research paper was awarded Best Paper in the National Conference on NexGen Biotechnology: Amalgamating Science and Technology at Kurukshetra University. The scientists of the Institute were deputed in various national/international conferences. This year, nine scientists were deputed on different assignments to EBI London, SIB Switzerland, Bangladesh, Bangkok, Thailand, Japan, USA and Columbia.