ICAR boss moots for improved teachers' role in fast track research

NAGPUR: Agriculture research and education is expected to get a boost in the coming XII five year plan with prime minister himself taking keen interest in evolving a policy to enhance the quality of research and teaching including the veterinary sciences and livestock. is an integral part of the agriculture 

The National Agriculture System is in for a big change with strengthening of the state agriculture universities through a finely designed Science Technology Engineering Agriculture Management (Steam) system. 

Elaborating on the proposed and improved systems in the next plan here on Sunday, S Ayyappan, the director of the Indian Council of Agriculture Research ( ICAR), informed that model technology demonstration farms will be one of the major activities to support the farmers and attract them towards scientific agriculture. He was speaking after laying the foundation stone for an examination hall which would be constructed at the Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University (Mafsu) campus from a grant of Rs 1 crore released by the council. 

Strongly propagating the cause of germ plasma conservation of all the indigenous breeds of livestock - like the Pandharpuri and Nagpuri buffalo, Osmanabadi goat, Red Sindhi cattle - the DG asked the university to identify certain priority areas and work on them. These may include the centre for excellence in zoonotics, Wildlife Research Institute and also stressed on the role of teachers as good scientists for evolving indigenous animal improvement and fast track research programme. 

Areas like alternate fodder, agro forestry need urgent attention, he pointed out. "The artificial insemination programme is not working well. Such failures are not acceptable and should be improved," warned Ayyappan to the Mafsu scientists and teachers. He asked the teachers to come out of their comfort zones and go for more aggressive, outgoing approach in attracting students into veterinary sciences. 

Former chairman of agriculture scientists recruitment board CD Mayee categorically called for an improvement in education system which could create the best of human resource for the future. "It is sad that our students do not even know the contribution of stalwarts like MS Swaminathan. Education system needs a huge revolution," he said. 

Mafsu vice chancellor CS Prasad requested the DG to continue the support to the university for developing technology translation centers in collaboration with entrepreneurs and NGOs and provide funds for an auditorium and renovation of clinical complex facility. Deputy director general (engineering) MM Pandey also addressed the gathering.