ACHARYA N.G. RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, RAJENDRANAGAR, HYDERABAD

Sardar Patel Outstanding ICAR Institution Award-2007

The Sardar Patel Outstanding ICAR Institution Award-2007 was bestowed upon ANGRAU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, in recognition of its contribution in agricultural development in Andhra Pradesh. The university is the largest premier agricultural university, and its highly valuable contribution is evident by the sharp increase in productivity of the majority crops due to the development of new varieties or hybrids, production and protection technologies, and dissemination of improved technologies to
the farming community.

The university has developed 60 crop varieties in the last 5 years and the foodgrain production in the state has increased by 44% from 136.97 lakh tonnes in 2003-04 to 196.61 lakh tonnes in 2007-08. Similarly, the food grain productivity for the same period increased by 33% from 2012 kg / ha to 2667 kg / ha. The university is the first in the country to develop rice hybrids (APHR 1 and APHR 2). The rice varieties developed by this university have gained farmers' acceptance in Andhra Pradesh, 14 other states and also in four neighbouring countries, almost saturating 25% of rice area in the country. It is also known for the quality of human resource produced in different disciplines. Its alumni have manned important positions in national and international organizations. The ANGPvAU is the first hi the country to introduce Rural Agricultural Work Experience Programme for the final year under-graduate students to get an insight into the conditions existing in rural farm situations. Farmers of the state are continuously sensitized for adoption of improved varieties and technologies through a number of extension measures including village adoption. It is also the first in the country to establish District Agricultural
Advisory and Transfer of Technology Centres in each district of the state.

WEST BENGAL UNIVERSITY OF ANIMAL AND FISHERY SCIENCES, KOLKATA

Jawaharlal Nehru Post-graduate Agricultural Research Award- 2007
Dr Samit Kumar Nandi, Lecturer Senior Scale, Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, WBUAFS, Kolkata was awarded the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru Post-graduate Agricultural Research Award- 2007 of the ICAR, New Delhi. The research work originated from his Ph.D. thesis on 'Studies on ceramic biomaterials in segmental bone healing as well as local drug delivery system in osteomyelitis' under the guideance of Prof. Dipak Kumar De, presently Dean, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, and active collaboration with Bioceramic and Coating Division, Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute. Jadavpur, Kolkata. The award was presented to Dr Nandi by Shri Sharad Pawar. Minister of Agriculture, Government of India, in the presence of Dr Mangala Rai, Director-General, ICAR, at the Award Ceremony-2007 on 16 July 2008, the ICAR foundation day.

FORTHCOMING EVENT SARDAR VALLABH BHAI PATEL UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY, MEERUT

The university is planning to organize an international conference on 'Current trends in biotechnology and implications in agriculture' during 19-21 February 2009. The conference will cover major themes such as: Plant biotechnology, Animal biotechnology, Microbial biotechnology, Industrial biotechnology, Bio informatics, Genomics and proteomics, Food biotechnology, Environmental biotechnology, Bio-resource conservation, Nano-biotechnology, IPR, Bio-safety, Ethics and Policy issues. The last date of abstract submission is 25 November 2008. The university website is www.svbpmeerut.ac.in.8.