While inaugurating a meeting of Vice-Chancellors of state, deemed and central agricultural universities from all across India at the National Agricultural Science Center, New Delhi, Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of Planning Commission, Government of India, said, “Innovative approach should be adopted to strengthen agricultural research and education in India. State agricultural universities can play an important role in this direction by providing research-based projects with the help of industry.”

Dr Ahluwalia lauded the role played by the National Agricultural Research System in India. He urged agricultural research institutes to re-orient themselves before the 12th Five Year Plan to tackle the challenges of food security and climate change. Referring to the gap in agricultural growth rate and land productivity of China and India, he stressed the need to be more research-based solutions to issues. “Four percent agricultural growth is needed for a growing economy like India. It would require more investment in knowledge management, institutional support and diversification in agriculture, government is also willing to fund such projects,” he added. He suggested a new mechanism to fund research projects instead of funding universities.

Dr S Ayyappan, secretary, Department of Agriculture Research and Education (DARE) and director-general, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) highlighted the role and contribution made by the ICAR institutes and agricultural universities in developing new technology and seeds for Indian farmers. He expressed confidence in converting some institutes into the center of excellence.

Dr RB Lal, president, Indian Agricultural Universities Association, urged for more research covering all aspects of Indian agriculture.


NIMR invites academia, industry to genetics lecture
The National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), New Delhi, in collaboration with Institut Pasteur, Paris, France and Global Health Institute, Switzerland; is organizing a global lecture course on Molecular and Evolutionary Genetics of Malaria from November 21-December 4, 2010 at New Delhi.

Researchers from universities, research institutes and the industry are invited to participate in this unique forum to exchange views. The faculty of the course includes the renowned scientists from the US, France, Germany, India, UK and many more countries.

The lecture course is expected to benefit researchers both in academia and the industry by providing an opportunity to be up-to-date with the latest knowledge in the area of malarial genetics, and thus, work in the direction of finding newer and better options for malarial drugs.