Capacity Building Programs

National Agricultural Innovation Project

R.P.MISRA

National Agricultural Innovation Project was initiated in 2006 with 203sub-projects involving 834 partners and 364 organisations in thecountry.

NAIP has an important goal of human resource development incritically identified areas of agricultural sciences. Initially (atformulation stage), a target was fixed to train/send for study visits/attend conferences etc. 420 Scientist in frontier areas of agriculturalsciences.

To keep abreast the scientists of National agricultural research systems(NARS) with the advances being made in the frontier areas ofagricultural sciences through international & national trainings ofscientists, NAIP took the following steps:

NAIP and Capacity Building Programs

Priority areas for international trainings/visit were identified andnumber of scientists to be trained in different cutting edge areas werefinalized, after several rounds of meetings and consultations withDDGs of different subject matter divisions (SMDs). In SOC meeting heldon 4th July 2008, under the chairmanship of Secretary DARE and DG,ICAR, the proposal was discussed and it was decided to take theapproval of PMC.

After detailed and intensive discussions, the PMC in its 14th meetingheld on 31st July 2008 allocated 456 slots to different areas andguidelines for the selection of scientist were also approved. 22 slotswere allocated for training/study-visit/meeting of PIU-NAIP officials.

International Trainings in cross cutting areas of Agricultural Sciences

S.No Area TOTAL SMDs

CS HORT NRM FY AS AE

1 Allele Mining 20 6 5 1 4 4 0

2 Apomixes 7 4 3 0 0 0 0

3 Bioinformatics 21 6 5 2 4 3 1

4 Biomolecules 19 6 5 3 2 2 1

5 Bioremediation 11 1 1 5 4 0 0

6 Biosecurity 15 4 4 1 3 3 0

7

Carbon trading Carbon

sequestration/climate change24 4 4 8 4 4 0

8 Fermentation technology 15 2 5 1 1 1 5

9 Genome Resource Conservation 17 5 4 1 3 4 0

10 Gene Knock-down technology 4 0 0 0 1 3 0

11 IPR 27

12 Marker Assisted Selection (MAS) 123 50 40 3 10 20 0

13 Microbial molecular taxonomy 10 3 3 1 2 1 0

14 Mol. Diagnostics 15 4 3 0 4 4 0

15 Molecular Breeding 12 4 4 0 4 0 0

16 Nanotechnology 19 3 0 4 3 4 5

17 Neutraceuticals 25 3 5 0 4 8 5

18 Sensor- Based Applications

including Bio Indicators 16 4 4 2 1 1 4

19 Stem Cell research 10 0 0 0 4 6 0

20 Transgenic Animal 6 0 0 0 2 4 0

Total 416 109 95 32 60 72 21

Number of slots for International Training in Cross-Cutting areas

S.No AreaSMD

NRM AS AE Social

Science

PIU-

NAIP

1 Geoinformatics 8

2 Mitigation strategies for methane production

from livestock

5

3 Image processing technology for Characterization

of Agricultural produce.

5

4 Non-Chemical/ Non-Thermal Processing and

Membrane Technology

6

5 Smart Packaging 6

6 Science Policy & Technology Forecasting 5

7 Policy Analysis

i) Multi market modeling for policy analysis

5

ii) Commodity Market Research & Value Chain

iii) Modeling for land use planning

iv) Trade Technology Linkages

8 PIU-NAIP

i) Management of value chain Research Project 1

ii) BPD of Agricultural Products 6

iii) Knowledge Management (exploratory visits) 5

iv) Visits to attend Conferences/Workshops 10

Total 8 5 17 10 22

Grand Total 62

International Training (A+B=416+62)=478

Number of slots for International Training in Other areas

On the proposal of NAIP through DARE, DEA, MOF had approved training of 500 scientist vide DEA ID No. 8/11/2004- FB VII Dated 21.11.2008. Concurrence of World Bank was also taken.

In first call, Nominations were invited from all the ICAR Institutes (101) and all SAUs (41) for training of scientists in cross cutting areas.

Big ICAR Institutes & SAUs were requested to nominate 2 scientists (for each area) in 6 areas only.

From small institutes 2 nominations per area in 3 areas only.

724 nominations from 29 universities (276 nomination) & 79 ICAR Institutes (448 nominations) were received in 1st call.

These 724 nominations were sent to various SMDs for evaluation and recommendation. On the evaluation and recommendation of SMDs 306 Scientists were selected. The competent Authority had approved these name vide Dy no. 1643: DG Dated 5.6.2009

In 2nd call 59 Scientist were selected. The CA had accorded approval vide Dy no. 2865/DG Dated 25.06.2010.

Additional 20 names were approved by the CA after discussion with DDGs and Directors.

44 scientist were selected for undergoing training in MAS in Crop Science.

27 scientist were selected for training in IPR.

The 4th call was made during 2013 to fill up the 86 vacant slots. 86 names were finalized and were approved by CA vide Dy No. 2114/DG Dated 6.5.2013.

Consortia Trainings While formulating the various sub-projects it was proposed to train Scientists

(where ever needed) in various sub-projects of NAIP. 453 Slots were allocated for this purpose. Approval of DEA (through DARE) in various years was taken. Concurrence of World Bank was also obtained. Component wise breakup of International trainings in various consortia is given in below:

Component No. of Trainings

Approved

No. of Trainings

Completed

Component I

ICAR as the Catalyzing Agent for Management of

Change in the Indian NARS

245

(179)

231

Component II

Research on Production to Consumption Systems

(PCS)

61

(75)

61

Component III

Research on Sustainable Rural Livelihood Security

(SRLS)

25

(25)

22

Component VI

Basic & Strategic Research in Frontier Areas of

Agricultural Sciences (BSR)

122

(174)

120

Total 453 453 434

Along with the scientist it was proposed to train NAARM Scientist (26) and 50 NARS personnel (Including scientist, Admin staff, Financial staff etc.). At a later stage, these numbers were increased.

The consortia training was reviewed during 2013 and the 85 vacant slots of various sub-projects of NAIP were transferred to L&CB project of component -1. Approval of CA was taken for names.

During various reviews, it emerged that training of RMPs are also very much needed. To fill this gap 33 vacant slots were utilized for leadership training of Directors, Assistant Director Generals etc. Few Scientist working at HQ Including NAIP were sent for leadership training.

Few senior officials from Administration and finance wings were also given leadership training.

After thorough discussion, PMC in it meeting held in October 2008, decidedto train 984 scientists in frontier areas of Agriculture Sciences through 60National Trainings. At a later stage, areas for training have been increased.

Through the National Training, ICAR has developed a strategy to multiplylearning and capacity building of NARS scientist based on small pool ofexpert drawn from India & abroad.

Proposals were invited (in two calls) for organizing National Trainings andbased on the evaluation & recommendations from SMDs proposals wereselected.

92 trainings have been completed successfully.

1425 scientist were trained through National trainings.

In National Trainings, 85 Manuals & 13 CDs have been developed anddistributed to trainees.

A bulletin has been printed listing various National Training in FrontierAreas of Agricultural Sciences.

National Trainings

S.No Area TOTAL CS Hort NRM Fy AS AE Nodal SMD

1 Allele Mining 61 10 20 5 10 16 0 CS

2 Apomixes 21 12 9 0 0 0 0 Hort

3 Bioinformatics 46 12 7 5 10 10 2 CS

4 Biomolecules 41 10 6 5 10 8 2 CS

5 Bioremediation 41 2 4 25 6 4 0 NRM

6 Biosecurity 45 15 10 3 7 10 4 AS7 Carbon trading Carbon

sequestration/climate change55 6 4 30 7 8 0 NRM

8 Fermentation technology 20 0 3 0 5 6 6 AE

9 Genome Resource Conservation 27 15 0 0 6 6 0 CS

10 Geo-informatics 25 0 0 25 0 0 011 Image processing technology for Characterization

of Agricultural produce.20 0 0 0 0 0 0

12 Microbial molecular taxonomy 25 9 3 2 7 4 0 CS

13 Mol. Diagnostics 45 15 10 2 10 8 0 FY14 Mitigation strategies for methane

production from livestock10 0 0 0 0 10 0

15 Molecular Breeding 62 32 20 0 5 5 0 CS

16 Nanotechnology 28 5 5 3 6 4 5 AE

17 Neutraceuticals 33 5 5 5 6 8 4 AE18 Non-Chemical/ Non-Thermal Processing and

Membrane Technology 20 0 0 0 0 0 20

19 Sensor- Based Applicationsincluding Bio Indicators

45 10 10 10 5 5 5 AE

20 Stem Cell research 12 0 0 0 6 6 0 AS

21 Smart Packaging 27 15 2 5 5 AE

Total 709

22 IPR 200 From each zone at all five ZTMCs IPR

23 Social Science 75 Soc. Sci.

Total 275

Grand Total 984

Area-Wise Slots for National Training

International Trainings

National Trainings

Trainings Approved Completed

Open Trainings 478 471(98.53%)

Consortia Trainings 453 433(95.58%)

Total 931 904(97.09%)

Trainings Approved Completed

National Trainings 95 92(96.84%)

TRAININGS IN FRONTIER AREAS

INTERNATIONAL TRAININGS IN FRONTIER AREAS OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

Sl. No. Frontier Areas of Training Nos. Trained

1 Allele Mining 202

3Apomixis 7

4 Bioinformatics 21

5 Biomolecules 19

6 Bioremediation 11

7 Biosecurity 15

8 Carbon Trading/Carbon Sequestration/Climate Change 24

9 Fermentation Technology 15

10 Genome Resource Conservation 17

11 Geoinformatics 8

12Image Processing Technology for Characterization of

Agricultural Produce5

13 Microbial Molecular Taxonomy 10

14 Molecular Diagnostics 15

15 Mitigation Strategies for Methane Production from Livestock 5

16 Molecular Breeding 12

17 Nanotechnology 19

18 Nutraceuticals 25

19 Non-chemical/Non-Thermal processing and Membrane Technology 6

20 Sensor-based Applications Including Bio-indicators 16

21 Stem Cell Research 10

22 Smart Packaging 6

23 Social Sciences 10

24 Transgenic Animals 6

25 Gene Knock Down Technology 4

26 Intellectual Property Rights 27

27 Marker Assisted Selection 123

Grand Total 456**30 slots of consortia trainings were utilised for training scientists in frontier

areas of agricultural sciences

NATIONAL TRAININGS IN FRONTIER AREAS

OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

Sno. Frontier Areas of TrainingTrainings

Completed

Scientists

Trained

1 Allele Mining 5 822 Apomixis 2 383 Bioinformatics 4 614 Biomolecules 3 465 Biosecurity 5 726 Bioremediation 1 16

7 Carbon Trading/Carbon Sequestration/Climate Change 7 101

8 Fermentation Technology 3 469 Genome Resource Conservation 2 3110 Geoinformatics 3 44

11 Image Processing Technology 1 16

12 Molecular Diagnostics 3 48

13Mitigation Strategies for Methane Production from Livestock 2 24

14 Molecular Breeding 6 100

15 Nanotechnology 3 47

16 Nutraceuticals 3 50

17Non chemical/Non Thermal processing and Membrane technology 2 31

18 Sensor-based Applications including bio-indicators 4 65

19 Stem cell Research 2 32

20 Smart packaging 1 16

21 Intellectual Property Rights 5 106

22 Social Sciences & Policy Analysis * 3* 54

23 Forecasting Modeling in Crops 2 32

24 Nutrient use Efficiency 2 31

25 Water use Efficiency 1 15

26 Microbial Molecular Taxonomy 1 15

27Project Formulation, Risk Assessment, Scientific Report

Writing & Presentation16*

206

Grand Total 92 1425

* Two trainings and 1 workshop could not be completed

INITIAL FINDINGS

Based on the institute’s visits and discussion with the scientists, the training had resulted indirect and indirect outputs in terms of scientific knowledge which are as follows:-

Direct Impacts

Exposure to international Laboratories – The training provided them the opportunity toget the exposure to international laboratories.

Knowledge gained - Increase in knowledge in the subject area trained through learningof new techniques, new experimental design systems, and new technologies.

Connections and Collaborations Developed – Scientists were able to develop connectionsand collaborations with some of the experts in their subject fields. Some of the scientistswere able to develop collaborative projects with their supervisors of the training.

Indirect Impacts

Apart from the knowledge gained and skills learned, the indirect impacts from thetraining are:-

Improved Confidence Level – The training had improved their confidence level in termsof the subject area trained.

New Skills learned –Some scientists were able to learn new certain programming skillsand improved their research methodological skills.

STRENGTHENING NARS THROUGH TRAINED MANPOWER

92 National Trainings utilizing the expertize of trainedmanpower have been organized.

22 National Trainings have been organized by thesetrained scientists as Course Directors.

100 trained scientists acted as Resource Person forNational Trainings and Summer/Winter Schools.

Over 100 students have registered for Doctoral andMasters Degree under the trained Scientist under thearea of training of guide.

IMPACT OF TRAINING IN THE AREA OF NANOTECHNOLOGY

Invention

Seed coating with electrospun nano-fibers for controlled release of pesticides

Seed coating process in which pesticides incorporated in a biodegradable polymer coated on the surface of seeds using electrospinning/ electrosprayingtechnology.

Additional benefits like improved specificity, ease and safety in handling.

A Patent has been filed in USA in this area by Cornell University, USA which

includes the name of trainee Dr. K. Rameash.

Name of the Scientist : Dr. K. Rameash, Sr. Scientist, NBPGR,

Regional Station, Hyderabad

Place of Training : Textile Nanotechnology laboratory,

Cornell University, USA

Resource Person : Prof. Juan P. Hinestroza and Dr. K. V. Raman

Internvention :

The First Genetic Map and positions of Major fruit trait loci of Bitter Melon (Momordicacharantia).Construction of first genetics linkage map of bitter melon using a set of 146 F2progenies derived from an inter-botanical variety cross between Taiwan white,Momordica charantia var. charantia and CBM12, M. charantia var. muricata was made.

This map will be useful in marker assisted breeding of these fruit traits and futuremapping of genes/QTLs controlling phytomedicines content exhibiting contrastingvariation between the parents.

Name of the Scientists : Dr. Virendra K. Rao (GBPUAT)

Dr. Anju Bajpai (CISH, Lucknow)

Dr. S. Backyarani (NRC for Banana, Chennai)

Dr. Jogendra Singh (ICAR Research Complex for

NEH Region, Imphal)

Name of the Resource Person : Dr. Chitranjan Kole

Place of Training : Clemson University, Clemson

Paper Published in the Journal of Plant Science and Molecular Breeding

IMPACT OF TRAINING IN THE AREA OF MARKER ASSISTED SELECTION

SCIENTIFIC & PRACTICAL UTILITY OF

INTERNATIONAL TRAININGS

Area of Training &

Course Director

Comments Of Evaluators

Bioremediation

Dr. Rameshwar Lal

Meena,

CSSRI, Karnal

Scientist has undergone the training on phytoremediation underBioremediation which is cleaning up the contaminated soils and water byusing plants.

Through development of (industrial) plants with (genetically) increasedphytoextraction potential, may offer a viable remediation solution in future.

Bioremediation

Dr. K. K. Krishnani,

CIBWF, Chennai

The trainee learned techniques on development on Nano (bio)materials/sensors for bioremediation of aquatic contaminants. These haveapplications for priority chemical and microbial pollutants on which Dr.Krishnani have future plans of working. The outcome of such studiedwould help in maintenance of healthy ecology in aquaculture.

GeoinformticsDr.( Mrs.) Sharda Singh, CSKHPAU, Palampur

The trainee learned tools of geo-informatics (GIS, RS & GPS) and how these

can be effectively utilised for agriculture.

The techniques of land cover change analysis and hyper-temporal image

analysis can be effectively utilised to assess the impacts of climate change

etc.

GeoinformticsDr. Anju Bharadwaj, IARI, New Delhi

The trainee learned tools of geo-informatics (GIS, RS & GPS) and how these

can be effectively utilised for agriculture.

The techniques of land cover change analysis and hyper-temporal image

analysis can be effectively utilised to assess the impacts of climate change

etc.

Area of Training & Course

Director

Comments Of Evaluators

GeoinformticsDr. S. K. Jena, WTCER, Bhubaneshwar

During the training on Integrated landscape management system Dr. Jena

learned tools of data management (River Basin Information System),

remote sensing analysis, derivation of model entities (Hydrologic Response

Units), model design and set up (Jena Adaptable Modelling system, JAMS),

process simulation and analysis. This would be helpful for watershed and

water resource planning, river basin planning and management. The

knowledge gained is planned to be further disseminated to other

researchers, planners and farmers through training programs.

Marker Assisted Selection Dr. S.S. Meena, Directorate of Rapeseed –Mustard Research, Bharatpur

The visitor worked on pearl millet and successfully worked in a project

entitled Developing and mapping of gene based markers in the DT-QTL

region of LG2.

By using the experience of the scientist and by using various marker

systems, DR & MR could be able to screen breeding material for white rust

resistance being generated at the centre and might come out with the

resistant genotype.

Molecular BreedingDr. Mukesh Kumar, NBPGR, New Delhi

Visitor got direct knowledge about the development and maintenance of

mapping populations (RILs), gel electrophoresis involving large data (57

RILs and 160 markers), data scoring in the farm of computer readable

format, learning and computer software “MAP MAKER” and development

of a frame molecular map using the data by applying the software.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT & SCIENTIIFC / PRACTICAL UTILITY OF NATIONAL TRAININGS

Title of Training & Course Director Comments Of Evaluators

Intellectual Property Rights of Technologies Licensing

in Agriculture

Dr. S.K.Soam & Dr. Kalpana Sastry, NAARM,

Hyderabad

Practical oriented study material More concentration on technology licensing Good proportion of theory and exercise Subject specific lectures Based on the need of trainees Special attention on Technology licensing

Intellectual Property Rights- Updates and

Applications

Dr.V.Purushotham, TNVASU, Chennai.

Good collections of articles relevant to IPR Representation of IPR data base in Veterinary

Sciences All papers representing from basics of IPR to its final

use. Good combination of subjects matter and speakers Most of the speakers from IPR Research area Special attention on basics of IPR

Generation Protection and Commercialization

Intellectual Properties in Horticulture: A new

paradigm

Dr. P. E. Rajasekharan, IIHR, Bangalore

Subject specific study material More concentration on other IPs (GI, Trade Marks and

PPV&FR) Subject specific lecturers Good use of in-house resource persons.

Structure Function and Dynamics of Biomolecules

used in Pest Management of Horticultural Crops

Dr. Korada Rajasekhera Rao, Regional Station of

CTCRI, Bhubaneshwar.

The title should have been broad based for both fieldand horticultural crops.

Specific case study with given biomolecule(s) wouldhave been more interesting for the trainees.

No lecture/practical for nematode managementthrough biomolecules is seen.

It is suggested to modify the training accordingly infuture.

1 Scientist could not go due to ill health.

1 scientist had to come back due to mishap in family.

Delay in getting Visa

Difficulties/ Constraints in Implementation

It has been observed that few scientists taken training in a particular frontier area and sent proposal for training in another area.

Scientist trained in IPR sent for training in MAS then shifted to BPD.

Attention

Approval by DEA for 500 slots in one go.

Delegation of sanctioning power regarding international and national trainings to National Director, NAIP.

Cooperation of all the concerned officials of NAIP, ICAR, DARE, DEA & World Bank.

Factors which quickened the process of Training