Vol. 22 No.

3 July-September 2022

From the President’s Desk

CONTENTS
Precision Agriculture in India: A Perspective
From the President’s Desk 1
By 2050, India’s agri-food
Executive Council Meetings5 production will face a
127th Meeting 5 formidable task of feeding
128 Meeting
th
5 close to 1.7 billion people
using limited cultivable
NAAS Programs6
land, water and energy
Brainstorming Sessions6 resources. Our net sown
Scaling up Innovative area has almost stagnated
Agricultural Extension Models 6 at around 140 million
Beyond Price Support and hectares, and there is
Subsidies6 little scope to increase it.
Special Lectures & Events7 Natural resources, particularly soil and water, have been degrading in the
National Symposium on Food, process of intensification of agriculture.
Nutrition and Environmental Our current approach of input application is based on common
Security: Towards Achieving SDGs recommendations of a composite sample or visual symptoms of
Other Activities8 crops, and it does not account for intra-field variability. It means sub-
Activities of the Regional optimal or excessive application of inputs, as the mean values used
Chapters9 for recommendations are rarely observed in a specific field. It reduces
Bengaluru Chapter 9 efficiency of input-use and also results in environmental degradation.
Thus, intensification of agriculture using modern tools/techniques is
Coimbatore Chapter 9
essential. Precision farming is one of the solutions for sustainable
Hyderabad Chapter 10 development of agriculture, which advocates applying right inputs in right
Karnal Chapter 10 amounts at right time and at right place using the right technologies or
Pune Chapter 11 techniques.
Varanasi Chapter 11
Concept, Components and Requirements of Precision
Forthcoming Programs11 Farming
Change of Addresses11 The concept of Precision Farming was floated by Dr Pierre Roberts to
Obituary12 address the problem of nutrient variability in large farms in the USA.
Announcement12 The main objective was to optimize production, save on input cost, and
minimize adverse impact on environment. Availability of geo-referenced
grid soil sampling permitted assessing variability in the field and the
composite sample based single recommendation for the entire farm could
be done away with. The Global Navigational Satellite System (GNSS)
facilitated recording crop yields as the harvester moved across the
Editors field. The variation in yield could be easily correlated with the nutrient
Dr P.S. Birthal
levels recorded from the grid sampling. This enabled the entire field to
Dr Malavika Dadlani
be delineated into smaller homogeneous management units. To deliver
nutrients as per the site requirement led to the for assessing and monitoring crop growth. UAV-
development of a Variable Rate Applicator. These drones in particular have the capacity to carry all
developments happened in the 1980s. Dr Roberts’ the sensors that a satellite or plane can have and
work focussed on soil nutrient management, and can repeat the surveys as frequently as required.
therefore, precision farming was initially referred to Variable rate adapters have been developed that can
as ‘Site Specific Crop Management’. The development be used through drones. A feedback on damages
of spectral and hyper-spectral sensors and high due to natural hazards can be obtained rapidly and
resolution images through satellites, accelerated reliably, which can feed into the crop insurance
information generation and collection. The term programs. The constraint of small land holdings for
‘Satellite Farming’ is sometimes used in this context. Precision Farming can be easily addressed now. In
Now, the ‘Precision Farming’ is also referred to developed countries, Precision Farming has been
“Climate Smart Agriculture”. adopted for a long time, in terms of equipment,
machines, sensors and software. In India, pressurized
Remote sensing in precision agriculture micro irrigation system, drip system specifically, and
Satellite-based remote sensing technologies are site-specific nutrient management are considered as
widely used to guide the global agricultural production ‘Precision Farming’. Aerial sensing from the UAVs
from a regional to global scale. There have been bridges the gap between ground-based observations
several efforts to use remote sensing to monitor crop and remotely-sensed imagery from the conventional
conditions and utilize the indicators in process-based aircraft and satellite platforms, and is identified as
crop growth models to generate production estimates. a viable substitute and/or complement to remote
The processes are slow, suitable for assessment sensing platforms for agricultural applications.
over a large region, but not useful to a small farmer, Integrating sensors with the UAVs may be a viable
and making it near real-time is a challenge. India option for mapping, monitoring, and management of
has a series of operational satellites with varying precision agriculture at an affordable cost (Fig. 1).
spatio-temporal and spectral resolution addressing As drones are able to cover larger areas and require
these requirements. Most of the remote sensing less quantity of agro-chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides
technologies are confined to multispectral broad and herbicides), their use as applicator must be
bands, which have limitations for precise quantitative encouraged. This would entail working out the timing,
estimation of soil and plant properties primarily speed, height, spray characteristics and volumes,
because of the low spectral resolution. Hyperspectral and wind considerations to make the application as
remote sensing is based on an examination of many effective as possible. Development of nano-products
contiguous narrowly defined spectral channels. It is is going to assume faster pace now, as the lesser
a relatively new field and offers several advantages quantity is economical, safer and efficient.
over the conventional broadband multispectral remote
sensing. Use of robots
In India, the requirement for a marketable remote Farmers in both developed and developing countries
sensing technology for precision agriculture is the face labour scarcity. Automated farming using robotics
delivery of information with the following characteristics: and advanced sensing is a viable solution. Robots
low turnaround time (24-48 hr), low data cost (~ 100 can access areas where other machines cannot. For
Rs./acre/season), high spatial resolution (at least example, maize growers face a problem in fertilizer
2 m multi-spectral), high spectral resolution (<25 application as plants grow too quickly. “Rowbot” can
nm), high temporal resolution (at least 5-6 date solve this problem, as it easily drives between rows
per season), and delivery of analytical products in and targets fertilizer directly at base of each plant.
simpler format. Remote sensing with high spectral Drone companies in developed countries offer farmers
and spatial-temporal resolution has considerable combined packages, which include robotic hardware
potential for soil and crop health monitoring, site and analysis software. Farmers can then move the
specific nutrient management, discerning composite drone to the field, initiate the software via a tablet
biotic and abiotic stresses and their levels for timely or smartphone, and view the collected crop data in
and precise application of inputs. real time. Ground based robots, can undertake even
a detailed monitoring as these can get closer to
Precision agriculture using drones the crop. These can also be used for weeding and
Unmanned Airborne Vehicles or Systems (UAVs/ fertilizing. Weeding robots don’t even need to use
UASs) have been around for sometimes. The chemicals. “Robocrop”, for example, uses computer
development of drones has opened up new vistas vision to detect plants as it is pushed by a tractor. It

2 NAAS NEWS
Figure 1: Schematic overview of the different ways to extract spatial information throughout a growing season of a crop,
various platforms and the optimal UAV sensors. (RGB: Red–Green–Blue)

Source: Modified from Maes and Steppe, 2019

then automatically hoes the spaces between plants to covariates. Thus, with the advancement in the field of
uproot the weeds. Some weeding robots use lasers geo-information technology, a new and sophisticated
to kill the weeds. In Australia, even shepherding, technique, i.e., digital soil mapping (DSM) has been
is being attempted through robots. Several manual evolved for accurate prediction and spatial mapping at
activities like maintaining cleanliness in cattle sheds a desired scale and with a high-resolution using the
can also be taken care of by robots. machine learning (ML) techniques and data mining
algorithms. The basis of DSM is the application of
Precision in assessment of soil properties pedometric methods that can predict spatial and
Finding an appropriate technique for assessing temporal variation in soil types and soil properties.
soil properties that involves less time and effort in
collecting soil samples and their analysis is a challenge. Precision livestock management
Consequently, in situ assessment of soil properties Dairy industry has taken a step towards Precision
in near real-time remains a formidable task despite Dairy Farming. In 2000, the National Livestock
decades of research in soil testing. Identification Scheme (NLIS) made the use of radio-
A new robust method is required for detailed and frequency identification (RFID) tags containing a
accurate mapping of soil properties taking into microchip that could be electronically read in a fraction
consideration spatial variations. Recent developments of a second by producers. This provided accurate
in remote sensing (RS) based techniques (proximal, identification of cows because these were linked to
airborne and satellite-based RS) have potential in the pedigree, management events, treatment records,
predictive and quantitative mapping of soil properties electronic milk meters, computer-controlled feeding,
with a higher resolution and more accuracy. automatic sorting and weighing, etc. The National
Proximal sensing (visible-near-infrared, mid-infrared Dairy Development Board (NDDB) also developed
spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, an Information Network for Animal Productivity &
etc.) is very effective at field scale or profile level Health (INAPH) on similar lines. It was a desktop/
study, whereas the airborne and satellite-based RS notebook android tablet-based field IT application,
is suitable for characterizing soil properties over a which enabled capturing real-time reliable data on
large spatial extent. The advances in data mining breeding, nutrition and health services delivered
techniques and fusion of data from multiple sensors at farmer’s doorstep. It could send messages to
have enhanced understanding of the dynamic nature farmers and provide appropriate advice regarding
of soil properties, influenced by various environmental their animals, as and when required.

NAAS NEWS 3
Some private dairy farms in India have also adopted popularizing and scaling up Precision Farming.
RFID based animal identification and farm automation As Precision Farming utilizes new technologies,
management system, e.g., Chitale Dairy in Pune, skill development must be a vital component, in
Sangamner Milk Union, Maharashtra, Lakshya Dairy addition to training (pilot license) on the operation
in Haryana and Kopordern Farm at Valpoi in Sattari of drones. Capacity building for collection of
Taluk in North Goa. data be included in operationalizing Decision
In addition, several Apps have been developed for Support Systems. Some StartUps have already
implementation of precision agriculture (i) COWEL been providing drone services on custom hiring
- Computer-based decision support system contains basis.
attributes regarding housing and management zz Skilled human resource is required for implementing
conditions; (ii) MOIRA - Management of Insemination precision agricultural practices. The agricultural
through Routine Analysis is a computer program, universities have to initiate HRD through specially
a module of DAISY- the Dairy Information System, designed training modules and course curricula
which suggests timing of insemination of animal; (iii) for different levels of activities including teaching,
Herdman - It uses Radio Frequency Identification training and research. This essentially requires
Device tags and cell phones’ text messaging capability exposure and training of faculty in advanced centres
to provide information regarding health of each animal, of excellence.
breeding record, milk yields, etc.; (iv) Moosense - A zz T h e i n d u s t r y, s c i e n t i s t s , t e c h n o l o g i s t s ,
Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) has been developed academicians, and other stakeholders have to
by IIT-Delhi and NDRI, Karnal to identify and monitor work in unison to develop Decision Support
animal behaviour, including the movement (3D), Systems for empowering farmers to take informed
temperature, etc. decisions in real time. Since it involves the use
Precision farming techniques after appropriate of artificial intelligence, IoTs, machine learning
modifications can be used in husbandry of pigs and and big data analytics, a seamless merging and
poultry. Precision farming in aquaculture is challenging, integration of multi-source data from remote
but efforts are on to adapt new technologies for sensing, GIS, GPS and sensors is essential.
aquaculture. Basically, it implies moving from heuristics and
experience to evidence and information for real-
Big-data analytics time decision making.
Precision farming requires information from remote zz Many agriculture-related activities can be easily
sensing satellites, sensors and drones, all geo- done by robots. In India, their presence is barely
referenced on a GIS platform. It involves a seamless noticeable but these have a great future. IITs,
merging of data and application of optimization NITs and other similar organizations have to
techniques. For real-time decision making, a Decision perhaps interact more with agriculture scientists
Support System (DSS) involving decision trees, neural and extension workers to identify farmers’ needs
networks, artificial intelligence, IoT, big data analytics, to design robots to meet specific needs.
and nextgen weather forecasting is required.
zz A Network Project on precision Agriculture has
Way Forward been recently initiated by ICAR. This needs further
strengthening with additional activities covering
zz Low-cost sensors are required to monitor soil
more institutions, and crops/animals namely pig,
nutrients, soil moisture, pests and diseases.
poultry, goats and aquaculture. In a few years
Wireless sensors will hold the key to precise nutrient
of its operation, the network can be considered
and water applications. Indigenous manufacturing
upgradation to an All-India Coordinated Research
of such sensors needs to be promoted.
Project so that Precision Agriculture Research is
zz UAVs (Drones) with appropriate sensors be used institutionalized to deliver innovative technologies
for a quick survey to identify within field variations and methods.
in nutrient status, as well as pest infestation for
timely action. This is cost-effective and eco-
friendly. An appropriate power source for drones,
however, needs to be defined. Trilochan Mohapatra
zz Precision Agriculture Service Providers or President
StartUps will be required in huge numbers for

4 NAAS NEWS
 Executive Council Meetings
127th Meeting previously elected Fellows under this Section have,
therefore, been placed in appropriate Sections (Crop
The 127th Meeting of NAAS Executive Council was
Sciences/Plant Protection).
held in a hybrid mode on August 23, 2022 under the
chairmanship of NAAS President Dr T. Mohapatra. 128th Meeting
The Chairman welcomed EC members and briefly
mentioned about the activities undertaken, including The 128th Meeting of NAAS Executive Council was
the Annual General Body meeting. A special mention held in a hybrid mode on 16 September 2022 under
was made of the intellectually stimulating Foundation the chairmanship of Dr T. Mohapatra, President NAAS.
Day lecture delivered by Prof P. Balaram, former Two Policy Papers and two Strategy Papers were
Director, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. released on this occasion.
He appreciated the new initiative of the Academy The EC approved the revised logo, new dates (10-
to organise interactions with the Foreign and 13 October 2023) and venue (Le Meridian Hotel,
Pravasi Fellows to enhance their involvement in the Kochi). The criteria for the election of Fellows was
Academy activities and harness their experience and deliberated at length and it was suggested to have
expertise. The EC was informed about the progress relook at the procedure and revision of the guidelines.
in Ranking of Professional Societies based on The following activities were recommended for
modified criteria to make them more objective and implementation.
quantifiable.
Roundtable meetings of NAAS EC members and
Dr Himanshu Pathak, Convener of Pune Chapter Fellows with the foreign Academies with whom
has joined the position of Secretary, DARE and NAAS has already signed MoUs; an interaction
Director General, ICAR and now shifted to Delhi. meeting of NAAS and other key national Academies
It was decided that Dr.C.N. Ravishankar, Director, to deliberate on issues related to funding of R&D,
CIFE may be nominated as the new Convener of food and nutritional security, climate change, etc.;
Pune Chapter an interaction meeting with the industry and farmer
The Academy had earlier elected five Fellows and one leaders; all Regional chapters as well as the Office
Associate in the Section of Frontier Sciences, which Bearers at the headquarters may undertake interactive
was later discontinued in the 72nd EC Meeting following programmes with the school children focussed on
recommendations of S.S. Acharya Committee. The nutrition literacy.

NAAS NEWS 5
 NAAS Programs

BRAINSTORMING SESSIONS Delivery approach. Establishment of diagnostics

lab, and processing & value addition facilities is
Scaling up Innovative Agricultural Extension necessary at KVKs.
Models (Convener: Dr Ashok K. Singh, DDG zz Policy framework needs to be developed to
(ICAR); Co-Conveners: Dr Randhir Singh, ensure convergence of stakeholders (Producers,
ADG (AE) and Dr V.P. Chahal, ADG (AE) Processors, FPOs, Market promotion agencies
like APEDA etc.)
A brainstorming session on ‘Scaling up Innovative
Agricultural Extension Models’ was organised by zz Innovative extension model of state Government
the Academy on September 12, 2022 under the of Andhra Pradesh named Rythu Bharosa Kendra
chairmanship of Dr T. Mohapatra. Dr. Himanshu (RBK), which ensures convergence of all stakeholders
Pathak, Secretary DARE and Director General ICAR for efficient extension delivery may be examined and
was the chief guest. Dr A. K. Singh, DDG (AE), ICAR, considered for replication in other states.
New Delhi, and Convenor presented the base paper zz Innovative extension models of ITC, BKC WeatherSys
highlighting innovative public and private extension for customised agro-advisory delivery for crop
models, and raised issues relating to scaling out management, weather alerts and market intelligence
of these. Dr Pathak praised the frontline extension can be integrated with public sector ICT based
system of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research extension delivery platforms like Kisan SARATHI.
in planning and executing extension interventions
Beyond Price Support and Subsidies
(Convener: Dr Pratap Singh Birthal,
Director, ICAR-NIAP and Co-Conveners: Dr
Shivendra Kumar Srivastava, ICAR-NIAP
and Dr Prabhat Kishore, ICAR-NIAP)
In order to achieve self-sufficiency in food grains and
ensure food security for all, an integrated approach
is needed encompassing investments in agricultural
research and extension systems, and provision of
subsidies on critical inputs to incentivize farmers to
adopt new technologies, guaranteed support prices for
food grains and their procurement to ensure farmers
a remunerative access to markets, minimize price
efficiently and effectively. He also highlighted the role fluctuations and reduce unscrupulous trade practices,
of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) as a grassroots- and the public stockholding of food grains and their
level extension institution, linking farmers and other distribution to the weaker sections at affordable prices.
stakeholders to the National Agricultural Research This strategy worked well and made the country self-
System (NARS). He urged the delegates to gear up sufficient in food grains.
extension system to face the agrarian challenges,
However, the strategy has come under criticisms from
harnessing new technology options and meet the
several fronts regarding their adverse effects on land
changing needs. Dr Mohapatra remarked on the need
and water resources, reduction in agro-biodiversity,
of remodelling KVKs as a single window delivery
system for dissemination of technologies and agro-
advisory, and capacity development. Situation-specific
and demand driven extension models are the need
of the hour. Convergence and partnership based
extension models are required. Private extension has
to play a complementary and supplementary role to
the public extension system.
Major recommendations are as follows:
zz Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) need to be
strengthened to have Agri Clinic & Technology
Incubation Centres following Single Window

6 NAAS NEWS
increase in inter-household and inter-regional
disparities, and disincentive to private investment in
markets, storage and warehouses.
The political economy of public support to agriculture
is complex, and it is difficult to withdraw the incentives
once introduced on a large scale. Moreover, some
components of the current agricultural policies
provide incentives for unsustainable patterns of
production, and hence, require a re-look for their
developmental role, scrutiny, and repurposing these
in a manner that leads to efficient and sustainable
growth of agriculture and higher incomes for farmers.
Towards this, a brainstorming session was organized
at NAAS in a hybrid mode on September 30, 2022
under co-chairmanship of Dr Trilochan Mohapatra,
President, NAAS and Shri Siraj Hussain, former
Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers
Welfare, Government of India. The main objectives of
the brainstorming session were (i) rationalization and
zz The Academy organised a special talk on ‘The
repurposing of agricultural subsidies and (ii) looking
International Governance of Plant Genetic
for feasible alternatives to minimum support price.
Resources for Food and Agriculture: The Role
The participants included academicians, policymakers
and Place of the International Plant Treaty’ by Mr.
and farmers. A few important recommendations
Kent Nnadozie, Secretary, International Treaty on
emerging from the deliberations are as follows:
Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture,
zz MSP is necessary for better price realization and United Nations, FAO, Rome on September
higher yields, but given its negative externalities 15, 2022. It was Chaired by Dr T. Mohapatra,
there is a need for critical examination of President, NAAS, and convened by Prof K.C.
alternative means of market support including Bansal, Secretary, NAAS. The talk generated
price deficiency scheme and futures’ trading. a great discussion and the participants learnt a
zz Invest in research on alternative crops of rice and lot on recent developments in global utilization
wheat so as to improve their profitability. and exchange of plant germplasm for food and
agriculture. The highlight of the presentation was
zz Re-purpose agricultural subsidies based on a reminder of the need for collective action for
valuation of ecosystem services. sustainable development.
zz Devise a package of compensation for farmers
diversifying away from rice and wheat National Symposium on Food, Nutrition
zz Differentiated volumetric pricing of water will aid and Environmental Security: Towards
in crop diversification Achieving SDGs (29-30 August, 2022)
India’s current population of 1.40 billion (around 17.7%
SPECIAL LECTURES & EVENTS of world population) is likely to reach 1.51 billion by
zz A special lecture by Dr Amit Roy, Former President, 2030 thus becoming the most populous country in the
and CEO, IFDC and Former Executive Director, world. A fundamental question arises as to whether
Global Phosphorus Institute (GPI), Ben Guerir, India will continue remaining self-sufficient in food
Morocco was organized on the topic ‘Managing production and achieve sustainable development goals
Fertilizers for Food Security and Environmental (SDGs) by 2030. The challenge to produce more from
Sustainability’ on September 08, 2022. It was decreasing per capita arable land and irrigation water
co-chaired by Dr T. Mohapatra, President, NAAS besides the increasing abiotic and biotic stresses,
and Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary, DARE & is quite alarming. The impact of climate change on
DG, ICAR. Dr. Roy highlighted that fertilizers are agriculture is expected to further reduce production
essential for increasing food production but needs to of major food crops by almost 10-20 per cent. With
be managed to reduce losses to the environment. a widespread prevalence of malnutrition achieving
Further, increased nutrient use-efficiency is urgently nutrition security remains a formidable task. In such
needed through innovative products, application a scenario the commitment of Government of India
practices and proper policies. He emphasized that to meet SDGs and the Paris Agreement for Climate
public-private partnership is need of the hour to Change present unique opportunity for the entire
develop new fertilizers and application techniques. agricultural sector to get realigned for a better future.

NAAS NEWS 7
 The symposium deliberated on various aspects of
agricultural development and following were the major
recommendations:
zz Technology development plays a significant role in
achieving SDG targets by improving the efficiency
and effectiveness of new and more sustainable
methods of development.
zz The creation of new technologies that foster
research and stimulate innovation are needed
through stronger knowledge-sharing and
collaboration amongst stakeholders both at the
national and international level.
Hence, India is committed to bring a demand-driven zz To make supply-chains more efficient and to
and technology-led revolution to meet the challenges support sustainable and durable markets, the rural
of rising demand for food, improved livelihood infrastructure needs substantial improvement.
opportunities for farmers, and to attain sustainable zz Efficient and sustainable use of natural resources,
farming for wider agricultural growth. adoption of hybrids and use of biofortified seeds
With this in view, a two day symposium was jointly will be essential for food and nutrition security.
organised by the Trust for Advancement in Agricultural zz Focussed attention is needed on raising
Sciences (TAAS), Indian Council of Agricultural farm profitability, reducing cost of production,
Research (ICAR), National Academy of Agricultural expansion of irrigation networks, development of
Sciences (NAAS), and the Indian Society of Plant the livestock sector, agri-business management
Genetic Resources (ISPGR) in collaboration with and stronger producer-market linkages.
Alliance of the Bioversity International & CIAT, zz To achieve sustainable agriculture higher investment
ICRISAT, IRRI and CIMMYT. The symposium was in research for development, strong public-private
well attended and addressed by eminent scientists partnerships, search for pro-poor innovations and
including Dr. RS Paroda, Chairman, TAAS; Dr Ramesh their effective implementation are essential.
Chand, Member (Agriculture), NITI Aayog, GoI; Dr zz This will need out-of the box thinking and creating
Himanshu Pathak, Secretary DARE & DG ICAR; science-based regulatory regimes; adoption of
and Dr T. Mohapatra, President, National Academy precision agriculture; digital solutions and artificial
of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS). intelligence (AI).

Other Activities
zz The Academy took part as an Observer in the NAAS Journal, and also act as reviewers of the
9th Governing Body Meeting of the International articles. They can also provide gainful insights into
Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and new research areas and the policy framework for
Agriculture (ITPGRFA), FAO, United Nations. Dr. new developments in agriculture, including regulatory
K.C. Bansal, Secretary, NAAS represented the aspects of the GM crops, Gene editing, and Food
Academy and participated in the deliberations. Safety Standards. It was decided to hold such
zz The Academy organised two Interaction meetings interactions once in every 6 months.
with Foreign and Pravasi Fellows on July 1 and
July 5, 2022. The meetings were coordinated by
Prof. Rajeev K. Varshney, Foreign Secretary. Dr.
P.K. Joshi, Secretary, NAAS presented an overview
of the activities of the Academy. Dr. T. Mohapatra
recollected earlier interactions with some Fellows
and emphasised on active participation and more
contribution of Foreign and Pravasi Fellows to various
activities of the Academy. After detailed discussion,
specific action points were decided in order to
harness the full advantage of the rich experience
and expertise of Foreign and Pravasi Fellows. They
agreed to contribute articles and review papers to

8 NAAS NEWS
 Activities of the Regional Chapters

Bengaluru Chapter health. He elaborated the role of sperm RNA and

retained elements on the successful birth of the
Bengaluru Chapter organized an online lecture by Dr
viable offspring. He mentioned that his research group
Stephen A Krawetz, the Charlotte B Failing Professor
has established the transcripts expression pattern
of Foetal Therapy and Diagnosis and Associate
among the sperm, testis and brain that has been
Director, CS Mott Centre for Human Growth and
observed to be similar, but the biological significance
Development, Wayne State University School of
has to be elucidated. He also explained the likely
Medicine, Michigan, USA” on 22 July 2022. The
role of sperm microbiome on semen quality and
lecture was focused on the sperm biomolecules and
fertilization.
microbes in relation to male fertility and reproductive

Coimbatore Chapter Interaction with school students

Demonstration of a biocontrol delivery technology ICAR-SBI and NAAS Chapter, Coimbatore organized
to banana farmers an interaction meeting with students of Panchayat
union middle school, Veerakeralam, Coimbatore on
Farmers engaged in banana cultivation need efficient
10.08.2022. Dr. R. Viswanathan FNAAS, convener,
delivery of Trichoderma to manage Panama wilt. In
NAAS chapter-Coimbatore delivered the theme
this regards, NAAS-Coimbatore chapter organized a
address on ‘Freedom movement’ and distributed
demonstration to banana farmers on 01.07.2022 to
national flags to the students. Dr. Putra Pratap,
deliver Trichoderma in banana rhizomes in mechanized
Principal Scientist conducted the quiz for the
sett treatment device at Kondayampalayam village,
students on freedom fighters. Shri. S.B. Babvuraj,
Thondamuthur Block, Coimbatore. About 50 farmers
FAO, P.V. Devassy, AO, B.V. Santhosh AAO and
participated in the programme. Dr. R. Viswanathan,
others from ICAR-SBI also participated in the
Convenor, Coimbatore chapter explained the benefits
meeting.
of mechanical delivery of agro-inputs in vegetatively
propagated crops.
Lecture on biotechnological interventions for
sustainable food production
A lecture on “Biotechnological interventions for
sustainable food production” by Dr C. Appunu, Senior
Scientist (Plant Breeding), ICAR-SBI, Coimbatore,
was organized on 08.08.2022. The lecture highlighted
the need for biotechnological interventions to improve
specific traits, bio-safety guidelines and genome
editing approaches. Dr. Hemaprabha, Director, ICAR-
SBI delivered the Chief Guest’s address. About 100
college students from different colleges and deemed
universities actively participated in the event.

NAAS NEWS 9
Quiz competition for college students Pathology, TNAU on 06.09.2022 at Coimbatore. Prof
As part of 75 Independence Day celebrations,
th P. Vidhyasekaran emphasized genomic approaches
NAAS-Coimbatore Chapter and ICAR-Sugarcane to understand host-pathogen interactions, identifying
Breeding Institute, Coimbatore organized a ‘Science resistant and susceptible genes and genome editing
Quiz’ competition for college students on 12.08.2022 strategies to develop disease resistant crops. Dr. R.
at ICAR-SBI, Coimbatore. About 50 students, from Viswanathan suggested pathogenome approach to
educational institutions participated. understand the pathogen biology and to strategically
manage the diseases. He also highlighted emergence
of minor diseases to major diseases and elaborated
on pokkah boeng in sugarcane.

Hyderabad Chapter
Soil health management awareness programme
NAAS Hyderabad Chapter in association with ICAR-
NAARM conducted a one-day training programme on
Soil testing in collaboration with KVK Yagantipalle,
Andhra Pradesh on 27.07.2022 in hybrid mode under
SCSP of NAARM in seven villages of Kurnool.
Farmers training on Organic Production and use
Quiz programme in progress
of Bio Inoculants in Agriculture
Brainstorming session on researchable issues in The chapter in association with ICAR-NAARM,
Plant Pathology Hyderabad also organised a training for farmers on
Prof P. Vidhyasekaran FNAAS, Former Director ‘Bio-inoculants - its uses and application in agriculture’
(CPPS), TNAU and Dr. R. Viswanathan participated in at SAIRDKVK, Gaddipally, in Suryapet district of
the “Brainstorming session on researchable issues in Telangana during 25-26 August, 2022. A total of 60
Plant Pathology” organized by the Department of Plant farmers from 7 villages participated in the programme.

‘Sankalp 7.0’ – an Annual B-Fest of Agri Business Karnal Chapter

Management Students (PGD-ABM)
To highlight the primacy of agriculture in school
NAAS Hyderabad Chapter in association with education and advocate it as a professional career for
PGDM-ABM Students of ICAR-NAARM, Hyderabad students, the Karnal chapter of National Academy of
organized the 7th edition of Sankalp, an annual Agriculture of Sciences (NAAS) conducted an essay
Business Festival during Sep 16-17, 2022 under the competition in agriculture for the school and college
aegis of NAARM PG Alumni Association. The event students. The title of the essay competition in Hindi was
received an overwhelming response as reflected by “Ñf’k dk gekjs thou esa egÙo” meant for students up
more than 9,100 registrations from more than 1,000 to tenth class and the title in English was “Food and
institutions which included all IIMs and IITs, several Nutritional Security through Agriculture - Perspectives
other leading B-schools and agricultural colleges. and Challenges” for senior school (11th and 12th class)

10 NAAS NEWS
 Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), on “Nutrition and
feeding habit of school going children” at Chaitanya’s
International School, Baramati on August 03, 2022.
The faculty and more than 50 students attended the
programme.

Varanasi Chapter
Adoption of five schools to create awareness
about Nutritious and Healthy Eating among
Students
as well as graduate students. A total of 250 essays
in Hindi and English were received. The students Varanasi Chapter of NAAS adopted five Primary and
shortlisted in the final round, made oral presentation Middle Standard Schools from rural areas of Varanasi
on the said topics. Top three performers in Hindi and and Mirjapur districts of Uttar Pradesh to create the
English category were selected for the awards. awareness about the nutritious and healthy eating
among the students. Besides, awareness programme,
Pune Chapter the Chapter is promoting the establishment of Nutri
ICAR-National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management Kitchen Garden (Poshan Vatika) in the available
(NIASM), Baramati conducted a programme space of the schools by providing seeds of important
under Pune Chapter of the National Academy of vegetables and fruit plants.

A baseline survey on health status was conducted.

Forthcoming Programs
1. Plant-based vs Dairy Milk- Myths and Facts 3. Sea Weed Cultivation and Utilization
2. Public-Private Partnership in Agriculture: Current 4. Service Delivery Mechanism in Livestock
Opportunities and Challenges Sector

Change of Addresses
zz Dr M.S. Chauhan, Vice Chancellor, G.B. Pant Patancheru, Hyderabad 502324, Telangana;
University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Tel.: Off. 8455683356; Cell: 9154991956,
Udham Singh Nagar 263145, Uttarakhand; Tel.: 9999108787; Email: [email protected]; jat_ml@
Cell: 9991652455; Email: [email protected] yahoo.com
zz Dr B.S. Dwivedi, Member (NRM), Agricultural zz Dr Arvind Kumar; Ex Vice Chancellor RLBCAU
Scientists Recruitment Board, Krishi Anusandhan Jhansi, Flat no 515 Carnation Tower, Gaur
Bhavan-I, Pusa, New Delhi 110012; Tel.: Cell: Saundaryam, Plot No. GH-05C, Sector-Teczone
9654809309, 9811365124; Email: bsdwivedi@ IV, Iteda, Greater Noida (West) 201318, U.P., Tel.:
yahoo.com Cell: 9711008862; Email: [email protected]
zz Dr M.L. Jat, Global Research Program Director, zz Dr Himanshu Pathak, Secretary, DARE &
Resilient Farm and Food Systems, ICRISAT, Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural

NAAS NEWS 11
 Research, Krishi Bhawan, Dr. Rajendra Prasad 2720226, Cell: 9650620999; Email: jssamra2001@
Road, New Delhi 110001; Tel.: Cell: 9899247590, yahoo.com
9437325663; Email: [email protected]; zz Dr Brahma Singh, Former OSD (Horticulture),
[email protected] President’s Secretariat, 710 Clifton, One Hiranandani
zz Dr (Ms) Minakshi Prasad, Former Professor & Park, Ghorbandar Road, Thane West 400607,
Head, Deptt. of Animal Biotechnology, H.No. Maharashtra; Tel.: Cell: 9818313660; Email:
1969A, Sector 16-17, Hisar 125001, Haryana; Tel.: [email protected]
Res. (01662) 289589, Cell: 9992923330; Email: zz Dr Major Singh, Member (PS), Agricultural Scientists
[email protected] Recruitment Board, Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan-I,
zz Dr J.S. Samra, Former CEO, NRAA, GOI, H.No. 42, Pusa, New Delhi 110012; Tel.: Cell: 9451579735;
Sector 15A, Chandigarh 160015; Tel.: Res. (0172) Email: [email protected]

Obituary

Dr Ajay Parida Dr Parida was awarded several fellowships and

awards, including ISCA Umakant Sinha Memorial
The Fellows of the National Academy
Award, 2000; B.M. Birla Science Award, 2003;
of Agricultural Sciences deeply condole
National Biosciences Award, 2006; NASI-Reliance
the sad demise of Dr Ajay Kumar
Award, 2009; TATA Innovation Fellowship, 2010;
Parida, an outstanding scientist, on
T.S. Sadasivan Memorial Lecture Award, 2012;
19 July, 2022 who made significant
Padma Shri by Government of India, 2014; Samanta
contributions in the field of plant
Chandrasekar Award, 2014; Prof. M. G. K. Menon
biotechnology, transgenics and
(1963-2022)
Lecture, 2017. He was a Fellow of National Academy
molecular breeding.
of Agricultural Sciences and National Academy of
Dr Parida left an indelible impression among agricultural Sciences, India.
scientists in various exemplary roles as Senior
In his demise, the scientific community has lost a
Scientist, Principal Scientist, Director (Biotechnology),
brilliant scientist, academician and a wonderful human
and Executive Director, M.S. Swaminathan Research
being. The Fellowship of the Academy prays to the
Foundation, Chennai; Visiting Research Scholar,
Almighty to give peace to the departed soul, and
College of Wales, Aberystwyth, UK; Visiting Scientist,
solace and strength to the bereaved family to bear
University of Naples, Italy; Visiting Fellow, IRRI,
this irreparable loss.
Philippines.

Announcement
The XVI Agricultural Science Congress will be ‘Transformation of Agri-Food Systems for Achieving
organised in Kochi with ICAR-CMFRI as the host Sustainable Development Goals’. The Congress will
institute. The theme of the Congress shall be be held during 10-13 October, 2023.

Editors: Dr. P.S. Birthal and Dr. Malavika Dadlani

Published by: Executive Director, on behalf of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, NASC, Dev
Prakash Shastry Marg, New Delhi 110012; Tel. (011) 25846051-52, Fax. 25846054; Email: [email protected];
Webside: http://naas.org.in

12 NAAS NEWS