Vol. XI, No. 2
April–June, 2013
From the Vice ChancellorÕ s Desk
Post harvest losses need to be minimized
Despite the remarkable
progress made in increasing
food production at the
global level, approximately
half of the population in
the Third World does not
have an access to adequate
food supplies. Food losses
occurring in the post-harvest,
transportation, storage and
marketing stages are one of
the major reasons for such
pathetic scenario. These
losses are higher in countries
where the need for food is the greatest and malnutrition is the
highest.
Post harvest losses are very high in fruit, vegetables and root crops
as they are much less hardy and are mostly quickly perishable,
and if care is not taken in their harvesting, handling and transport,
they soon decay and become unfit for human consumption.
The combined annual production of fruits and vegetables in India
is likely to cross 377 million tonnes (mt) mark by 2021 from the
current level of over 227 mt. However, the projected production
of fruits and vegetables would only cater to domestic demand
leaving no scope for growth on export front because the huge
wastage would continue to rise simultaneously in absence of
on-farm processing facilities, according to apex industry body
The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India
(ASSOCHAM).
“Currently over 77 mt fruits and about 150 mt vegetables
are produced in India and their production is growing at a
compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) ranging between 5-6
per cent respectively,” says a study titled, ‘Horticulture Sector in
India: State Level Experience,’ conducted by ASSOCHAM.
India incurs post-harvest fruits and vegetable losses worth over
Rs two lakh crore each year largely owing to the absence of
modern cold storage facilities and lack of proper food processing
units. West Bengal is India’s leading horticulture producing state
with over 27,000 tonnes
of fruits and vegetable
produced across the state
annually. Unfortunately, this
is also the state which stands
first by incurring post harvest
losses worth over 13,600
crores annually. Gujarat
ranks second in post harvest
fruit and vegetable losses
which is as high as 11,400
crores, followed by Bihar (Rs
10,700 crore), Uttar Pradesh
(Rs 10,300 crore) and
Maharashtra (Rs 10,100 crore). With poor storage, marketing,
on-farm handling facility and deplorable rural connectivity, the
trend in Jharkhand too is almost similar, where farmers have to
sell their vegetables like tomato, carrot, French bean, capsicum,
jackfruit etc at throwaway prices during peak season.
The total storage capacity in India is over 300 lakh tonnes, and
there is an additional requirement of cold storage of about 370
lakh tonnes for fruit and vegetable storage alone. The existing
cold storage capacity in India is confined mostly to wholesale
markets, while the majority of fruit and vegetables are sold at
local or regional markets which do not have cold storage facility.
Storage and handling conditions need to be enhanced in the
fruit and vegetable markets, thereby providing infrastructure
facilities to reduce post-harvest losses and promote increased
productivity. A lot of positive steps have been initiated on this
front under the National Horticulture Mission, launched by the
Government of India.
Need of the hour is that Jharkhand Government too should come
forward to invest heavily in storage, marketing, transportation,
technological support and processing facilities for horticultural
crops because nearly 80% of its population is directly dependent
on agriculture and allied activities.
(M. P. Pandey)
“lead a meaningful life, not successful life”: dr sP tiwari
Renowned agricultural scientist and former Deputy
Director General (Education) of ICAR, New Delhi Dr SP
Tiwari urged the scientists to lead a meaningful life rather
than a successful life. In this competitive world neither
the strongest nor the most intelligent but only those who
continue to change and respond suitably to the changing
times will survive and excel in their fields, he held.
Dr Tiwari, a former Vice Chancellor of Rajasthan Agricultural
University, was addressing the 33rd Foundation Day of Birsa
Agricultural University (BAU) as Chief Guest on June 26,
2013. In his inspirational lecture, he exhorted the scientists
to dream high and set bigger goals and never feel guilty for
failures rather feel guilty of putting small goals. Knowledge
having trans-boundary acceptance is more powerful than
military power and financial power, he added. Dr Tiwari,
who is associated with several international funding
agencies, urged BAU to submit an
ambitious project worth over Rs
500 crores to World Bank, Asian
Development Bank etc with the
aim of changing the farm sector
scenario of Jharkhand as the
state with rich biodiversity has
immense potential to contribute.
Dr Nitin Madan Kulkarni,
Secretary,
Department
of
Agriculture & Cane Development
said agriculture may not appear
glamorous but scope of working
and contributing something to
the society, the nation and the
world is much more in this sector
Underlining the need of incorporating horticulture, animal
husbandry, dairy, poultry, forestry etc into the farming
system for sustainable income of farmers, Dr Kulkarni
urged BAU scientists and other workers to work with
dedication and commitment
to make BAU the leading farm
varsity of eastern India within
five years. He said problems
related to the recruitment of
forestry graduates and shortage
of teaching hands in Veterinary
College would be sorted out
soon.
BAU Vice Chancellor Dr MP
Pandey welcomed the guests
and outlined the achievements
of the University during
last one year. He said nine
(9) e-classrooms and three
experiential units related to
BAU NEWSLETTER April–June, 2013
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as compared to other sectors. He said Foundation Day is not
only an occasion to have an overview of achievements and
identify past mistakes and weakness but also an occasion to
draw future roadmap with clear cut goals. BAU, established
in cool and salubrious climate of Kanke should develop
itself as a tourist spot also and those passing through the
highway (Ranchi-Patratu Road) should feel the fragrance of
the crop varieties, flowers and aromatic plants developedrecommended-adopted by it. BAU should produce as much
seed that state government does not feel the need of
issuing tenders for seed supply and all the requirement of
quality seed could be met by BAU.
projects funded by national and International agencies, out
of which 11 are running at present including STRASA-IRRI,
Seed Dissemination Programme of IRRI, DBT India- IRRI QTL
to Variety, Rice Fallow (NRAA) , Rice Knowledge Management
Portal (RKMP), NAIP, ICAR, Gene Campaign Project funded
by DST, Govt of India, District Level Contingency Planning,
CRIDA, Hyderabad, Bringing Green Revolution in Eastern India
(BGREI), Govt of India, AICRP on Rice, DRR, ICAR and Harvest
Plus Challenge Programme funded by CIAT and IFPRI.
Best Teacher Award to Dr Hem Chandra Lal
Dr SP Tiwari, Ex DDG (Education), ICAR and Dr Nitin Madan Kulkarni, Secretary,
Dept of Agriculture & Cane Development, GoJ inaugurate Block-II of Crop
Research Centre on BAU campus
bio control, medicinal plants and milk processing were set
up with ICAR support. With years of efforts of scientists,
nine crop varieties including four of rice and one each
of soybean, groundnut, wheat, chickpea and sugarcane
were developed and released by State Varietal Release
Committee, Jharkhand. A total of 5837 quintal quality
foundation seed of different crops were produced by BAU
during 2012-13.
Dr Hem Chandra Lal, Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Pathology receives
Best Teacher Award from Dr Nitin Madan Kulkarni, Secretary, Dept of Agriculture
& Cane Development, GoJ
Dr NK Roy, Director Students Welfare and Dr Kishore Sinha,
Dean Faculty of Agriculture also spoke on the occasion.
Following students / non-teaching staff / farmers were
awarded for their special performance:
The guests also inaugurated Integrated Farming System
Module and Block-II of Crop Research Centre on BAU
campus and released BAU Annual Report (2012-13), BAU
Newsletter and Vision Document 2030 brought out on the
occasion.
Best Student Award for securing highest overall grade
point average (OGPA) : UG- Kumari Divya (6th semester
Ag), Anshuman Kumar (2nd semester Vety), Ismat Jahan
(6th semester Forestry), PG- Vivek Birua (1st semester
Forestry), Dr Smita Tirkey (2nd semester Vety), Ruby Kumari
(2nd semester Ag-Hort), Sumi Dutta (4th semester Biotech)
Best Scientist Award to Dr DN Singh
Dr DN Singh, University Professor, Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics
receives Best Scientist Award from Dr SP Tiwari, Ex DDG (Education), ICAR
Dr DN Singh, a Ph.D in Plant Breeding from GBPUA&T,
Pantnagar joined BAU as Junior Scientist-cum-Assistant
Professor in 1990, was directly recruited as Chief Scientist
cum University Professor in 2005. He has to his credit about
125 research paper in different national and International
journals. Dr Singh has also developed 13 varieties of rice and
1 variety of maize. He has supervised more than 25 research
Best Worker Award : Class III- Nabin Chandra Mishra (Asst,
Registrar Office), Yakub Gari (SO, Agriculture Faculty),
Ramdhan Ram (FO, Vety Faculty), JP Kandulna (Asst,
Forestry Faculty), Dharmendra Rawal (Photographer, DEE),
Md Aftab Mohsin (Asst., DR). Class IV- Dharmdeo Ram
(Comptroller Office), Noman Ansari (Ag Faculty), Nasir
Ansari (Vety Faculty), Chandragupta Jamuda (Forestry
Faculty), Mukesh Ram (DEE), Ajay Munda (DR).
Best Farmer Award for innovative farming : Naresh Kisku,
Gopal Gope, Nirmal Yadav, Subodh Chaudhary, Shravan
Kumar Gupta.
Essay Competition for students on the topic ‘Has
corruption become part and parcel of Indian Politics?’ :
Ist- Abhishek Pradeep, 2nd- Suryanshu Yadav, 3rd- Abhay
Kumar (all from Agriculture Faculty). Essay Competition for
non-teaching employees on the topic ‘Winners never quit
and quitters never win’. 1st- Sangeeta Vijaya (VC Cell), 2ndAlok Kr Jha (VC Cell), 3rd- Md Shamshul Haque (Ag Faculty).
(Pankaj Vatsal)
BAU NEWSLETTER April–June, 2013
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XXvi eXtension education council meeting
ICAR and external expert said that teaching, research,
training and extension were four pillars of agricultural
development. He stressed that skill-oriented programme
should be conducted from time to time for rural youth.
Citing the example of AMUL, Gujarat, he said that it was
the best model of extension and KVKs should follow it and
organize the farmers in same way.
Dr. M.P. Pandey, Vice Vhancellor, BAU said extension system
was the centre of focus for agricultural development.
Underlining the importance of secondary agriculture,
he said it would be helpful to rural youth in generating
additional income and employment.
He was addressing the XXVI Extension Education Council
Meeting of BAU at Krishak Bhawan on 17.06.2013. He
also emphasized on involvement of PRIs in planning,
implementation and monitoring of extension programmes.
Efforts should be made to promote livestock in integrated
farming systems and the rice-fallow area should be covered
with second crop to bring that area into double cropping,
the VC stressed.
In his remarks as external expert, Dr. R.P. Singh, former
Vice-chancellor, MPUAT, Udaipur, Rajasthan said the basic
concept of extension had been lost in confusion and
bureaucracy prevailing among the scientists. They should
work with the people at grass root level. He emphasized
that profitability should be the focal point of any agricultural
extension programme and the University should work on
the technology to reduce the cost of critical inputs. Dr. C.
Prasad, former Deputy Director General (Agril Extension),
Dr. A.K. Singh, Zonal Project Director, Zone-II, ICAR, Kolkata
expressed concerns over the vacant positions in the KVKs
and requested the University to return back the services of
KVK personnel who were either on lien or on deputation
elsewhere or on study leave. He suggested that the KVKs
should equip themselves with good documentation skills.
For improving the state of dissemination of technologies, he
cited the example of KVKs of West Bengal for broadcasting
Kisan Chaupal for farming communities every Saturday.
Dr DK Singh ‘Dron’, Addl Director Research outlined the
technologies released by the University and emphasized on
its dissemination.
Highlighting the important extension achievements of the
University during the year 2012-13, Dr RP Singh ‘Ratan’,
Director Extension Education reported that altogether
60908 farmers/ entrepreneurs received advisory services.
Training unit of DEE organized 38 training courses for 1278
farmers and extension functionaries and altogether 145 onfarm trails and 5192 component/package demonstrations
conducted in an area of 1209 ha.
Dr. Alok Kr Pandey, Director, Dairy Development, Govt. of
Jharkhand, Dr. Prabhakar Singh, State Mission Director,
National Horticulture Mission and Shri R.P. Singh, Director
SIRD, Ranchi also expressed their views on the occasion. At
the end vote of thanks was extended by Dr. (Ms) Niva Bara,
Head, Dept of, Agril. Extension, BAU.
(Valeria Lakra)
seminars/ symPosia/ workshoPs/ training Programmes attended
1. Dr DK Shahi, Chairman (SSAC) attended 7th Research
Advisory Committee Meeting of National Research
Centre for Litchi (ICAR) at Muzaffarpur, Bihar on 24th
April, 2013.
2. Dr BK Agarwal, Assoc Prof (SSAC) attended One day
workshop-cum-discussion Seminar on “Preparation of
SRS under NeGP-A programme” and gave valuable input
for the improvement of SRS.
3. Dr DK Shahi, Chairman (SSAC) attended Council Meeting of
ISSS, New Delhi during 7-8 June, 2013 at IARI, New Delhi.
4. Dr BK Agarwal, Assoc Prof (SSAC) attended state
level meeting on NeGP-A Empowered Committee at
4
BAU NEWSLETTER April–June, 2013
Project Building, Ranchi on 12th June, 2013 under the
Chairmanship of Secretary, Information Technology,
Govt. of Jharkhand.
5. Dr Rishipal Singh, Principal Investigator and Shri Siddharth
Jaiswal, Chief Operating Officer (COO), BPD Unit, BAU
attended the Annual Conference of Network of Indian
Agribusiness Incubator (NIABI) organized by NAIP from 25–
27 April, 2013 at NASC Complex, New Delhi.
6. Shri Siddharth Jaiswal, Chief Operating Officer BPD
Unit, BAU attended the conference on ‘Development
Marketplace 2013’ organised by World Bank at IIFM,
Bhopal on 1st May, 2013.
bau-bred croP varieties to bring green revolution in Jharkhand
The Jharkhand
State Seed Sub
Committee,
notified in April,
2013 by the
Government
of India after
about a decade,
has
released
nine (9) highBIRSA VIKAS SUGANDH-1
yielding varieties of rice, groundnut, soybean, sugarcane
and chickpea crops which are resistant towards major
diseases and pests. The release proposal was approved at
a meeting of the committee chaired by Shri Arun Kumar
Singh, Principal Secretary, Dept of Agriculture & Cane
Development, GoJ on May 6, 2013.
yields 20-25 qtl/
ha. It is suitable
for direct seeding
in uplands under
rainfed conditions
of Jharkhand. Its
grains are long
slender and the
variety is resistant
BIRSA VIKAS DHAN-111
to blast and
brown spot diseases and gandhi bug and stem borer pests.
Lalat rice variety, originally developed by Orissa University
of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneshwar and released
and notified for Orissa State was released for Jharkhand
also owing to its suitability to soils and climate of this state.
This long-grain verity yields 40-45 qlt/ha and matures in
115-120 days.
BAU Vice-Chancellor Dr M P Pandey, a member of the
committee informed that all these varieties will
Birsa Safed Soybean-2 having yield potential of
be notified by Central Seed Committee
25 qtl/ha matures in 105-107 days. This verity
of Government of India for planned
has 40% protein and 17% oil content.
multiplication during coming seasons to
In wheat, Birsa Gahun-3 matures in
ensure that these varieties reach the
110-115 days and yields 25-40 qtl/
farmers at the soonest and they take
ha. It is suitable for rainfed and
benefits of enhanced productivity
limited irrigation conditions. Variety
and income by its cultivation. It will
is resistant to rust and leaf blight
pave way for second green revolution
diseases.
in the state, the VC added. Among
the released nine crop varieties,
Birsa Groundnut-4 has the highest
four are of rice alone. Of these, Birsa
oil content (51%) among groundnut
Vikash Sugandh-1 matures in 120-125
varieties in the country developed so far
BIRSA SAFED SOYBEAN-2
days and is suitable for cultivation under
and is resistant to tikka disease. With yield
rainfed conditions of Jharkhand. It is variety
potential of 20-22 qlt/ha, this variety matures
with scented grain and yield potential of 40-45
in 115-120 days. Being bold-seeded, it is most suitable
quintal/ ha and moderately resistant to brown spot and for confectionary use and export.
blast diseases and gundhi bug pest.
The released variety of important and commercial crop
Birsa Vikash Dhan-203, developed by hybridization in the State, Sugar cane, BO-147 has maturity period of
between IR-36 and Kalinga-3 varieties, matures in 115-125 about one year and its plant height goes up to 3 meters.
days. The variety with long slender grains and 40-45 qtl/ha This variety is disease-free and yields 700-800 qtl/ha with
yield potential is moderately resistant to blast, bacterial leaf sucrose content of 16 %.
blight and brown
spot
diseases Birsa Chickpea-3 matures in 118-120 days and yields 10-20
and stem borer qtl/ha. It is a wilt resistant and drought tolerant variety with
and gandhi bug protein content of 20-21 per cent.
pest
Those who attended the meeting included BAU scientists
Birsa
Vikash Drs Rishi Pal Singh, D K Singh ‘Dron’, D N Singh, Director
Dhan-111
is Horticulture Dr Prabhakar Singh, Joint Secretary Agriculture
an extra early Ram Prasad Say, HARP scientist Dr Bal Krishn Jha and
maturing variety CRURRS scientist Dr V D Shukla.
(80-95 days) and
(DN Singh)
BIRSA VIKAS DHAN-203
BAU NEWSLETTER April–June, 2013
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inauguration of rainout shelter facility
Rainout Shelter Facility was inaugurated at Birsa
Agricultural University by Dr SK Sharma, Vice Chancellor,
SKHPKV, Palampur on 30th May, 2013 in presence of Dr. M
P Pandey Vice Chancellor, BAU and all Deans, Directors of
the University and scientists of Agriculture Faculty. Drought
is a major constraint in increasing the production and
productivity of crops in general and rice in particular. This
facility would help in developing drought tolerant varieties
of rice, maize, pulses and oilseeds not only during Kharif
but also in Rabi season. The screening for drought will be
carried out both at vegetative and terminal (reproductive)
stages for identification of genotypes tolerant to drought.
BAU Vice Chancellor Dr MP Pandey urged the scientist
of the University for better utilization of this facility for
development of drought tolerant varieties of different
crops. Research work has already been started during
2013-14 for identification of drought tolerant genotypes of
rice, maize etc.
(DN Singh)
review meeting of dst funded ProJects
Review meeting of three projects Rice Fallow, Gene
Campaign and Aquaculture running at BAU with the
financial support of Ministry of Science and Technology,
Govt. of India was held on 30-31 May, 2013. It was
organized under the Chairmanship of Dr SK Sharma, Vice
Chancellor, SKHPKV Palampur. The review committee was
fully satisfied with the presentations made by individual
scientists of all the three projects. It was attended by
Dr Malavika Dadlani, Joint Director Research, IARI, New
Delhi, Prof SK Khare, IIT, New Delhi, Dr Rajeshswari Raina,
BAU NEWSLETTER April–June, 2013
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NISTADS, New Delhi, Dr. Sunil Kumar Agrawal, Scientist,
DST, Dr Suman Sahay, Chairperson, Gene Campaign, Dr
Mamta Sharma, Senior Scientist, ICRISAT, Dr DN Singh,
Chief Scientist, Dr AK Singh, Chief Scientist and Dr CS
Mahto, Junior Scientist. The committee experts made
some suggestions which were duly incorporated by
concerned scientist while in the research trials during
2013-14. The final report will be submitted after data
analysis.
(DN Singh)
bihar agriculture minister visits bau
Sri Narendra Singh, Minister of Agriculture, Govt. of Bihar
visited BAU on 20th May, 2013. Addressing the scientists
and senior officials of the University in the Board Room, he
stressed on the development of hybrid crop varieties by
public sector institutions because private seed companies
were charging very high rates for the hybrid seeds. The
Minister requested BAU to provide improved seeds of ragi
and groundnut to Bihar which could be taken as alternative
crop in the face of scanty rains or drought like situations.
He also enquired about the water management techniques
being utilized in the plateau region of Jharkhand which
could be replicated in similar regions of Bihar to benefit the
farmers. Er DK Russia, Head, Department of Agricultural
Engineering, BAU explained the water harvesting,
management and recycling techniques suitable for the
region.
The Minister also visited Agricultural Technology
Information Centre (ATIC) and Central Museum of BAU
to have a firsthand knowledge of the activities and
achievements of the University. Senior BAU officials Drs
Kishore Sinha, RL Prasad, RP Singh ‘Ratan’, SK Pal, Rishipal
Singh and Narendra Kudada were present on the occasion.
(Pankaj Vatsal)
training workshoP on nutrient for maize and wheat
Dept of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, BAU,
Ranchi, International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI)
and International Maize & Wheat Improvement Centre
(CIMMYT) jointly organized One-day Training Workshop
on “Nutrient Expert : A Fertilizer Decision Support Tool
for Maize and Wheat” on 18th June, 2013 at BAU Krishak
Bhawan.
While inaugurating the event, Chief Guest and ViceChancellor, BAU, Dr MP Pandey stressed on making
agriculture profitable for farmers and ensuring food security
to all countrymen. Dr Pandey said the new generation is
turning its back on agriculture due to account of nonprofitability. It has now become a cause of grave concern
for scientists and agriculture policymakers. The Nutrient
Expert tool developed by a group of scientists involved
in IPNI project was very useful and beneficial for better
nutrient recommendation of Maize & Wheat Crop to the
farmers.
Dr Adrian M Johnston, Vice-President, IPNI, Dr T
Satyanarayana, and Dr Sudarshan Dutta, both Dy Directors,
IPNI gave lectures on Nutrient Expert: A New Approach to
SSNM. Dr Rakesh Kumar, I/C IPNI & CIMMYT Project, Ranchi
gave an overview of Nutrient Expert Trials conducted at
Ranchi and Sahebganj districts of Jharkhand.
Dr DK Singh ‘Dron’, ADR, BAU welcomed the guests &
participants and Dr RP Singh ‘Ratan’, DDE, BAU proposed
the Vote of thanks. Altogether, 85 participants from State
Govt, NGOs, IFFCO and scientists of different departments
participated in the programme.
(Rakesh Kumar)
BAU NEWSLETTER April–June, 2013
7
nss advisory committee meeting
The NSS Advisory Committee meeting of BAU was held on
10th April, 2013 under the chairmanship of Vice Chancellor
, Dr MP Pandey. The meeting was attended by Deans,
Directors of BAU, faculty members, Programme Officers,
representative of UNICEF Jharkhand, Social workers,
Regional Head, NSS, Patna, State Liaison officer, NSS and
progressive farmers.
Meeting started with welcome
address by Dr. P.K.Singh, Programmme Coordinator, NSS.
Dr MP Pandey, Vice Chancellor in his opening remarks said
that overall aim of National Service Scheme was to give an
extension dimension to the higher education system and
orient the student towards community service, while they
are studying in educational institutions. The interaction of
students with common villagers/farmers will expose them
to the realities of life and bring about a change in their
social perception, he added. Dr PK Singh, Programme
coordinator presented the achievements (2012-13) and
programme activities to be under taken during 2113-14.
(PK Singh)
Polythene removal camPaign on world environment day
On the eve of World Environment Day (5th June 2013),
the NSS cadets of Ranchi Agriculture College launched
polythene removal campaign in Ranchi unmder the
leadership of Dr Naiyar Ali, Programme Officer, NSS. They
removed polythene from Albert Ekka Chowk to Daily
market at Main Road, Ranchi. The Cadets also created
awareness among the civil society, shopkeepers, vendors
and people of Ranchi about the ill effects of polythene use
which was damaging our environment. The Ranchi Deputy
Commissioner, Sri Binay Kumar Choubey and SSP, Ranchi Sri
Saket Kumar Singh also took part in the campaign against
polythene and appreciated the effort of NSS cadets. Officials
of Ranchi Municipal Corporation, members of Jharkhand
Chamber of Commerce and Dr. P.K. Singh, Programme
Coordinator, NSS, BAU were present on the occasion and
encouraged the students.
world veterinary day at ranchi veterinary college
World Veterinary Day was celebrated at Ranchi Veterinary
College, a constituent Unit of BAU, on 27.04.2013. Dr
AG Bandhyopadhyay, Director, Department of Animal
Husbandry, Govt of Jharkhand and Dr Anirudh Prasad, Retd
Professor of Veterinary Physiology were chief guests of
the event. Thirty two students and 20 staff of the College
donated blood at the Blood Donation Camp organised
on the occasion. Mr Rajanikant, a 9th semester students
emerged winner at the debate competition organised on
the theme ‘Vaccination constraints and remedial measures.’
At the poster presentation contest, Ms Anjali Kumari (9th
semester), Kusum Lata (7th semester) and Lalita Kumari (PG
Medicine) were adjudged 1st, 2nd and 3rd, respectively.
(Suresh Mehta)
BAU NEWSLETTER April–June, 2013
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(PK Singh)
XXXiii kharif research council meeting
The 33rd Kharif Research Council Meeting of BAU was
held on 13-14 June, 2013 in Ranchi Agricultural College
Auditorium. Prof SK Sanyal, Former Vice Chancellor, Bidhan
Chandra Krishi Vishwavidhyalaya, Mohanpur (WB) and
Dr Umesh Kumar Mishra, Vice Chancellor, Chhattisgarh
Kamdhenu Vishwavidhyalaya, Durg were experts on this
occasion.
BAU Vice Chancellor Dr MP Pandey, who chaired the
meeting, praised scientists for their sincere efforts and
better outcomes in terms of release of nine varieties of six
crops after a gap of 10
years. He stressed on
improving production
and productivity of
different crops by
exploiting available
natural
resources,
application
of
classical
and
molecular approach
and remodelling of
agronomical packages
with suitable plant
protection measures.
The
VC
said
germplasm screening for moisture stress, acid soils and
heat tolerance should be priority area of research and
hybridization programme for different field crops as well as
vegetable should be taken up in a big way.
Dr Umesh Kumar Mishra, Vice Chancellor, Chhattisgarh
Kamdhenu Vishwavidhyalaya, Durg said since a large
number of farmers were small, marginal and landless,
integration of field and horticultural crops with animal
husbandry should be the right choice for their better
livelihood, employment and income generation. Efforts
should be made to establish nucleus herds of important
Indian breeds of cattle, buffaloes and other animals for
producing quality breedable males for improvement of
poor productive livestock in Jharkhand, he added. He
also stressed on undertaking basic research particularly
in Biochemistry, Physiology, Nutrition and Anatomy
departments.
Prof SK Sanyal, former Vice Chancellor, Bidhan Chandra
Krishi Vishwavidhyalaya, Mohanpur (WB) said issues
concerning the tribals and other weaker sections of the
society dependant on agriculture and allied sectors for their
livelihood should be addressed through location specific
research and low-cost effective technologies.
Underlining the importance of taking into account
the environmental issues while formulating research
programmes,
he
said level of Arsenic
in meat and organs
depends on loading
of arsenic in feeds
/ fodder, therefore,
feed, fodder, soil and
water should also be
analyzed.
Dr RP Singh ‘Ratan’,
Director Extension Education, BAU stressed
that scientists should
have close coordination with extension functionaries particularly KVKs to get
feedback before finalizing research programme. Research
programmes should be in context of Natural Resource Exploitation and climate change, he added.
Dr DK Singh ‘Dron’, Additional Director Research presented
“An Overview of Research Achievements” with research
highlights of Kharif Research programmes of 2012-13. He
highlighted the area of ongoing research programmes at
university main campus, Ranchi and at three Zonal Research
Stations along with agricultural scenario in Jharkhand,
major constraints for agricultural development in the state
and researchable issues to make the state self sufficient in
cereal, oilseeds, pulses, fruits, vegetables, milk, fish, meat
and egg.
(DK Singh ‘Dron’)
BAU NEWSLETTER April–June, 2013
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Sancharak” at Allahabad from
26.04.2013 to 29.04.2013.
•
May 2013
• Attended 18th Meeting of the
Organisation
&
Management
Programme Committee (O&MPC) of
NAIP as a member of the prestigious
body under ICAR, New Delhi from
02.05.2013 to 03.05.2013
April, 2013
• Attended
Consortia
Advisory
Committee Meeting of NAIP Project
at BAU Campus on 01.04.2013
• Attended meeting with Chief
Secretary, Govt. of Jharkhand
at Project Building, Ranchi on
09.04.2013
• Attended as a member, the
first meeting of New Executive
Committee of IAUA for 2013 at
New Delhi and participated in
48th Annual Rice Group Meeting
and chaired the special session on
“Pre Breeding in Rice to improve
yield resistance and quality” at
SKUAS&T, Srinagar from 10.04.2013
to 17.04.2013.
• Attended meeting with Advisor
to His Excellency the Governor of
Jharkhand in his office chamber on
25.04.2013
• Attended Centenary Celebration
organized by Vigyan Parishad,
Prayag, Allahabad to receive the
felicitation award as “Vigyan
June 2013
• Attended National Seminar on
Animal Nutrition and Fodder
Security as Chairperson of
Technical Session IV on 02.06.2013.
The event was organized by the
Directorate of Dairy Development,
Government of Jharkhand at Hotel
Holiday Home, Kanke Road.
• Attended 20th Annual General
Body Meeting and Foundation Day
programme of National Academy of
Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), New
Delhi on 03.06.2013 to 06.06.2013
• Attended Expert Consultation
Meeting of Indian Institute of
Agriculture Biotechnology (IIAB),
Ranchi and National Institute
of Biotic Stresses Management
(NIBM), Raipur at ICAR, New Delhi
BAU NEWSLETTER April–June, 2013

10
• Attended National Seminar on
“Climate Resilient Rice Production
under Rainfed Ecosystem” as an
Invited Key Speaker for the Lead
Paper at Dr Balasahab Sawant Krishi
Vidyapeeth, Shirgaon, Ratnagiri,
Maharashta from 18.05.2013 to
21.05.2013
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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from 09.06.2013 to 12.06.2013
Chaired the 33rd Kharif Research
Council Meeting of BAU, Ranchi on
13-14, June, 2013.
Chaired the Annual Group Meeting
of AICRP on Pigeonpea at BAU,
Ranchi on 15.06.2013
Chaired the XXVIth Extension
Education Council Meeting of BAU,
Ranchi on 17.06.2013
Chaired the Xth Seed Council
meeting of BAU, Ranchi on
17.06.2013.
Chaired the Technical Session
in International Plant Nutrition
Institute (IPNI) Workshop at BAU,
Ranchi on 18.06.2013
Attended
Statutory
Selection
Committee Meeting as an Expert
Member (Chancellor’s Nominee)
of the Selection Committee for
recruitment to the post of Dean,
College of Agriculture at Orissa
University of Agriculture & Technology
(OUAT), Bhubaneswar, Odisha from
20.06.2013 to 22.06.2013
Attended 33rd Foundation Day
Ceremony of BAU on 26.06.2013
Attended
45th
Managing
Committee Meeting of RINPAS,
Kanke, Ranchi on 26.06.2013
Chaired the 76th Meeting of
Academic Council Meeting of BAU,
Ranchi on 28.06.2013
Chaired the Vetting Workshop of
District Level Contingency Plan at
BAU, Ranchi on 29.06.2013.
annual grouP meet on PigeonPea (late duration) at bau
Annual Group Meet on Pigeonpea (late duration) was
held at BAU, Ranchi on 15th June,2013. Vice-Chancellor
Dr MP Pandey, who graced the occasion as Chief Guest,
emphasized the need to develop early and medium duration
pigeonpea varieties/ hybrids suitable for rainfed and acid
soils of Jharkhand. Dr SK Sanyal, Ex Vice-Chancellor, BCKV,
West Bengal and renowned soil scientist was the Guest
of Honour. He urged the pigeonpea scientists to develop
suitable varieties for NEPZ. Dr N Nadarajan, Director, IIPR,
Kanpur stressed on focussing attention for development of
varieties for late duration. He advised the NEPZ Breeders to
include land races, wild and related varieties in hybridization
programme to widenthe genetic base.
training on biofertilizer
world environment day
Twenty scientists from different Agricultural Universities of
NEPZ attended the meet. The technical programmes of the
coming Kharif season were finalized for different centres.
Dr.Z.A.Haider, Chairman, Dept of PBG highlighted the role
of short duration varieties which could fit in the cropping
system of Jharkhand. Dr Niraj Kumar proposed a vote of
thanks.
(Niraj Kumar)
Department of Soil Science & Agril Chemistry organized
3-day training programme on “Use of biofertilizer & their
production and production of value added enriched
vermicompost” from 19-21 April, 2013 at Faculty of
Agriculture for Tribal Farmers of Gumla district. The
programme was sponsored by ATMA, Gumla. Dr DK Shahi
and Dr NC Gupta delivered lectures on the theory and
practical aspects of biofertilizer & value added organic
manure. Altogether, 25 tribal farmers of Gumla district
participated in this programme. Dr Rakesh Kumar, I/C
Training coordinated the programme.
soil testing services
During April to June 2013, altogether 1064 soil samples
were received from farmers of Ranchi, Gumla, Khunti, East
Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, Bokaro, Simdega and Giridih
districts. These soil samples were analyzed for soil pH,
Organic carbon, available N, P, K and their recommendation
on soil health card were sent to concerned farmers.
workshoP on organic farming
The Business Planning and Development (BPD) Unit of BAU
organized a workshop on ‘Cluster development in Organic
Farming’ at Loksevaytan, village-block Nimdih under
Saraikela Kharsawan district 29-30 June, 2013. Seventy
seven farmers participated in the workshop and gained
knowledge about organic farming and its advantages,
different methods of preparation of organic fertilizers and
pesticides and practical demonstration. Technical material
was supplied to all the participants.
Shri Siddharth Jaiswal, Chief Operating Officer, BPD Unit,
BAU, local officials of Horticulture Department and organic
farmers delivered lectures during the event.
(Siddharth Jaiswal)
On the occasion of World Environment Day (5th June, 2013),
a debate competition was organised on “Conservation
of Natural Resourses for Better Life” for the students of
Forestry Faculty. As the chief guest of this function, Dr SN
Pandey, Former Vice Chancellor of BAU distributed prizes
among the students for their best speech and presentation.
Dr MH Siddiqui, Dean, Faculty of Forestry dwelt at
length on the theme for this year’s World Environment
Day celebrations- Think, Eat and Save. It is an anti foodwaste and food-loss campaign that encourages reducing
food wastage. According to the UN Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO), every year 1.3 billion tonnes of food
goes as waste. This is equivalent to the same amount
produced in the whole of sub-Saharan Africa. At the same
time, one of every seven people in the world go to bed
hungry and more than 20,000 children under the age of 5
die daily from hunger.
(Narendra Prasad)
bio-fertilizer Production
During April to June, 2013, 25682 pkts. of Rhizobium culture
of Moong, Arhar, Urad, Groundnut & Soyabean, 4908 pkts
of Azotobacter and 743 pkts of PSB culture and 18 quintal
of vermicompost were produced and sold to farmers, NGOs
and State Govt.
BAU NEWSLETTER April–June, 2013

11
icar develoPment grant to bau
contingency Plan workshoP
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi has
sanctioned and released Rs 2.00 crore to Birsa Agricultural
University under the scheme ‘Strengthening and Development
of Agricultural Education’ as 1st instalment for the year 2013-14.
Details are as under:
Workshop for formulating District level Contingency Plan (DLCP)
of Jharkhand was organised on 29.06.2013 at BAU on the request
of Central Research Institute for Dry Land Agriculture (CRIDA),
Hyderabad and ICAR Eastern Region Complex, Patna. It was
inaugurated by Dr MP Pandey, Vice Chacellor, BAU in the presence of
Dr VUM Rao, Project Coordinator ACRIPAM, CRIDA, Hyderabad and
Dr RD Singh, Principal Scientist, ICAR Eastern Region Complex, Patna.
It was organized in view of occurrence of drought like situations
at least once in every three years in Jharkhand. Generally when
drought occurs, providing contingency plans immediately to farmers
becomes difficult. Therefore, for making fool-proof technological
options, DLCP of all the 24 districts was discussed at length for
making such plans available to every district so that the farmers may
be given various options of technologies in situations of drought.
Based on suggestions from CRIDA Hyderabad, ICAR Complex, Patna
and scientists of BAU, DLCP of all the 24 districts was prepared and
submitted to CRIDA and ICAR Eastern Regional Complex, Patna for
furtheraction.
(Rs in Lakhs)
Sl No.
Items
ICAr Share
1.
Works
3
Curriculum development and delivery
3.1
Preparation of quality instructional
material, practical manuals and
contingency grants for practical for UG/
PG
4
4.1
4.2
5
45.00
Strengthening of UG & PG teaching
Faculty development, Facilitating
within country participation in
symposia, seminars, training (other
than CAS/CAFT); HRD for technical/
paraprofessionals and administrative
staff; development of facilities for
UG practicals, computer labs; repair,
maintenance and AMC of equipments;
students study/educational tours.
40.00
Operationalisation of monitoring cell to
address the need based programmes
(NISAGENET)
1.00
SUpERANNUATION
Sl.
Name
No.
1 Sri T Awasthi
Amenities
5.1
Students
amenities;
students
counselling and placement, health
facilities; faculty amenities.
34.00
5.2
Best Teacher Award; Gatalytic support
for faculty exchange, Guest and Adjunct
faculty;
10.00
5.3
Personality development; Counseling
of students; Tutorials for SC/ST students
10.00
6
Support to Dean
6.1
Educational
Technology
Examination Cell
Cell;
30.00
6.2
Faculty specific requirements for
improving education & development &
strengthening of facilities
30.00
totAl
To,
200.00
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Sri Puran Munda
Sri Riyasat Hussain
Sri RP Singh
Sri NP Singh
Sri N Jha
Sri Manu Nagjuwar
Sri Harun Rashid
(DN Singh)
Designation
SO
Dept/
Unit
PIM
Date of
retirement
30.04.2013
Lab Attdt
Lab Attdt
Driver
Assistant
Assistant
Peon
Peon
DR
DR
Forestry
RVC
RVC
Dean PGS
Registrar
30.04.2013
30.04.2013
31.05.2013
30.06.2013
30.06.2013
30.06.2013
30.06.2013
EDItorIAl BoArD
Chairman
Dr Mata Prasad Pandey
Vice Chancellor
Members
Dr Ratneshwar Prasad Singh Ô RatanÕ , Director Extn. Edn.
Dr R L Prasad, Dean, Faculty of Vet. Sciences & AH
Dr Kishore Sinha, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture
Dr Dilip Kumar Singh ‘Dron’, Additional Director Research
Dr Devendra Narayan Singh, Univ. Prof., Dept of PBG, RAC
Dr Sailesh Chattopadhyay, Associate Prof., Dept of Forest
Biology & Tree Improvement, Faculty of Forestry
Dr Himanshu Dubey, Asst. Prof., College of Biotechnology
Member Secretary
Shri Pankaj Vatsal, Editor, Directorate of Research
Photo
Shri Pramod Sahu
Published by Director Research, Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi - 834 006 • Phone : 0651-2450610 • Fax : 0651-2451011
E-mail : dr_bau@rediffmail.com and printed at Kailash Paper Conversion (P) Ltd., 2, Bharatpuri, Purulia Road, Ranchi - 834001
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