3. Indo-US AKI projects
Background: The AKI Initiative
On July 18, 2005, President George W. Bush and Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh announced the U.S.–India Knowledge Initiative on Agricultural Education, Teaching, Research, Service, and Commercial Linkages (AKI). With the involvement of universities and private sector, the initiative is focused on building human and institutional capacity, promoting sustainable use of biotechnological approaches, and ensuring strong markets and processing chains. Recognizing the long history of cooperation in agriculture and the success of India’s Green Revolution launched 40 years ago with U.S. assistance; the AKI builds on this tradition of collaboration and addresses new challenges and opportunities of modern-day agriculture. Through public-private partnerships, it will help to facilitate technology transfer, trade, and investment and bolster agricultural research, education, and extension, Focus areas for the AKI are Food Processing and Marketing, Biotechnology, Water Management, and University Capacity Building.
Under Indo-US Agricultural knowledge Initiative programme the following three projects have been approved by ICAR of Indian side of AKI for implementation at ANGRAU.
Project – I
Innovative E-technologies for Capacity Building and Water Management: US-India Collaborating Extension / Outreach and Distance Education
( http://akicb.ifas.ufl.edu/index.htm)
Focus area: Capacity Building in Water Management.
US Participants:
Principal Investigator: K. Ramesh Reddy,
Graduate Research Professor and Chair Soil and Water Science department,
University of Florida (UF) – Institute of Food and agricultural Sciences (IFAS).
106 Newell Hall. P.O. Box 110510,
Gainesville, FL-32
Sabine Grunwald, Distance Education Coordinator and Associate Professor,
GIS Research Laboratory, Soil and Water Science Department,
University of Florida – IFAS.
Sabine Grunwald, Distance Education Coordinator and Associate Professor,
GIS Research Laboratory, Soil and Water Science Department,
University of Florida – IFAS.
Lisette Staal, Assistant Director, International Programmes,
University of Florida – IFAS.
Collaborators from India
Venkataraman Balaji, Head of Knowledge Management and Sharing,
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRASAT),
Patancheru, Hyderabad.
B. Chenchu Reddy, Director International Programmes,
Administrative Office, ANGRAU,
Rajendranagar, Hyderabad – 500 030.
Dr. K. Palanisamy, Director, (CARD), Coimbatore.
Dr (MRs.) P.K. Sidhu, Agro-meterorologist,
Punjab Agricultural Univeristy, Lidhiana.
Dr (Mrs.) Swarn Lata Arya, Principal Scientist,
CSWR & TI, Chandigarh.
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Indo-Us Workshop on Innovative E-technologies for Distance Education, Extension/Outreach in Efficient Water Management has been organized from 5-9 March, 2007 at ICRISAT, Patancheru. This project addressed two key components of the AKI Capacity Building and Water Management. It has been planned to focus on strategies to develop collaborative digital learning resources using available information technologies, and to strengthen technical training for extension and outreach using these tools for sustainable management of water resources. Dr. S. Raghu Vardhan Reddy, Vice Chancellor, ANGRAU, Dr. Kirby R Barrick, Dean – Academic Programs, University of Florida, William Dar, Director General and Dyno Keatinge, Dy. Director General, ICRISAT have participated in Inaugural session of the Workshop on 15th March, 2007.
Dr. B. Bhaskar Reddy, Director International Programmes; Dr. M. Devender Reddy, Principal Scientist (Agro.) & Head, Water Technology Centre, Rajendranagar; Dr. P. Gidda Reddy, Professor (Extension); Dr. S. Ravi babu, Senior Scientist (Soil & Water Engg.), APWAMP, Garikapadu, Dr. D. Balaguravaiah, Principal Scientist (SS&AC) & Head, Agricultural Research Station, Garikapadu; Dr. B. Vijabhinandana, Associate Professor (extension), College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Dr. (Ms) V. Sudha Rani, Associate Professor (Extension), Extension Education Institute, Rajendranagar, Dr. V. Ramulu Scientist (Agronomy), APWAMP, UNDI, Bhimavaram, Dr. (Ms) Y. Padmalata, Senior Scientist (Agronomy), ARS, Anatapur; Dr. Ch. Srnivas Scientist (Agronomy), APWAMP, Undi have participated in the workshop from ANGRAU.
Based on workshop output the work plan is prepared based on the contributions from Indian, International US partners that participated in the workshop. The Collaborative work plan is focused on E-learning resource development addressing the identified need areas in Water Management.
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Assess quantity, distribution, and quality of water resources in selected regions in India and U.S.
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Identify needs among partner institutions in topic areas of integrated water management for agricultural production.
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Assess the usefulness of geospatial technologies, remote sensing, and monitoring networks to address need areas.
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Identify existing resources for E-learning (including Reusable Learning Objects – RLOs and other education materials).
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Explore best practices relevant to the needs of capacity building in water resources management.
All documents/presentations of the workshop were summarized and made available to all the participants and posted on the AKI project web site (http://akicb.ifas.ufl.edu).
Keeping in view of the above the following theme areas have been identified to develop E-learning materials and or Reusable Learning Objects (RLOs).
- Water resources
- Irrigated agriculture
- Rainfed agriculture
- Data collection and compilation methods (incl. GIS and RS)
- Water quality
- Human dimensions of watershed management
- Ground water
- Soil and water use/conservation management
- Soil quality and nutrient management
- Remediation
As a follow up of action plan, the theme areas along with the team leaders and members have been identified from the ANGRAU to develop E-learning materials/RLOs on the following:
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Remediation - Reclamation of salt affected and water logged areas in irrigated agriculture
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Irrigated agriculture - Efficient Water management in rice
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Soil and water use/conservation management – Soil and water
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Human dimension of water shed management – Participatory water shed management
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Water resources – Micro irrigation for vegetable and commercial crops
To enhance technical skills in building E-learning materials and their effective use and management the following two scientists from ANGRAU have been undergone training at UF from 2 – 24th Feb, 2008.
- Dr. P. Gidda Reddy, Professor (Extn.), Administrative Office, Rajendranagar.
- Dr. D. Balaguruvaiah, Principal Scientist (SS&AC), ARS, Garikapadu.
During the training, trainees were encouraged to develop RLO’s by using Ecolearn IT Software and animation techniques. This training workshop served as two way learning process for both the participants and Ecolearn IT developers as the bugs in the system were identified and rectified.
RLO show case and evaluation – Best RLO Awarded
On the final day, RLO show case was organized and all the participants were asked to present the RLOs developed by them. In total 17 RLOs were presented. The RLOs were assessed with reference to quality of learning context, implementation of RLO components, instructional design, reusability and stimulation of learning. As per evaluation report, the RLOs developed by Dr. Balaguruvaiah, Principal Scientist (SS&AC), ARS, Garikapadu stood at 3rd and 4th place respectively and thus received Best RLO Award-3.
Future prospects:
Advancements and applications of Information and Communication Technology (ICTs) for training and education through web-based, multimedia and digital technologies has provided new ways to engage students and enhance learning. As many universities are now going for online distance education at under graduate, graduate level and diploma and certificate courses were being offered in different subjects, the capacity building up of faculty and institutions in that line and reorienting towards modern needs and going hi-tech in education industry is highly essential. It is catching up in the field of agricultural education and extension too. This project helps the participants in taking initial step in the above direction and helps in providing local interdisciplinary RLOs streamlined into a shared online library that would sustainable beyond the time frame of this project in the support of instruction, in-service training and learning.
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Project – II
Sustainable Water Resource Management: US-India Collaborative Research and Education Programme
US Participants:
Principal Investigator: W.D. Graham, Carl S. Swisher Chair in Water Resources, Director University of Florida Water Institute, PO Box 110570, University of Florida,
Gainesville Florida 32611-057.
K. Ramesh Reddy, Graduate Research Professor and Chair, Soil and Water Science Department, University of Florida (UF) – Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS). 106 Newell Hall, P.O. Box 110510, Gainesville, FL.
Kenneth L. Campbell, Professor and Chair,
Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department,
University of Florida (UF) – Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), 120 Rogers Hall, PO Box 110570, Gainesville, FL.
Lisette M. Staal, Assistant Director ,
International Programmes,
University of Florida,- IFAS,
2039 McCarry Hall, PO Box 110282.
G.B. Reddy, Professor / Chairman,
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design,
North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University.
Collaborators from India:
M. Devender Reddy, Principal Scientist (Agronomy),
Water Technology Centre, PGR Centre,
Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University,
Rajendranagar, Hyderabad – 500030).
Dr. S.K. Jalota, Professor of Soils,
Punjab Agricultural University,
Ludhiana – 141 004, India.
Dr. Ravinder Kour,
Indian Agricultural Research Institute,
New Delhi).
The overall goal of the project is to enhance water resource management in India through collaborative research and education activities between the UF and Indian Universities. Specific areas of water resource management that will be addressed include: 1) Sustainable Use of Water Research, 2) Water Quality Management and Remediation, 3) Use of Simulation Models in Water Resources – Agricultural – Ecosystem Management, 4) Improved Water Use Efficiency and Drought Management.
Under this programme a workshop planning meeting was held at University of Florida and North Carolina A & T State University, USA from July 16 – 24, 2007 to identify and prioritize water resource research and education areas of common interest and concern for which the following faculty members participated.
- Dr. B. Bhaskar Reddy, Director International Programmes.
- Dr. M. Devender Reddy, Principal Scientist (Agro) & Head, WTC, Rajendranagar.
- Dr. K. Jeevan Rao, Professor, ANGRAU.
The team consisting of the ten (10) faculty members led by Dr. Wendy Graham, Director, Water Institute, University of Florida, USA visited ANGRAU from 21 – 23 January, 2008 to participate in the Indo-US AKI Project on “Sustainable Water Resources Management” Planning meeting.
As part of the programme the team visited Wargal water shed in Medak District on 21 January, 2008 to have first hand information about the Geographical and Geospatial back ground of the water shed in order to study water, energy and nutrient balance studies, geospatial analysis for optimization of resources in watershed and in-situ soil and moisture conservation studies etc. Later the UF and ANGRAU faculty members formed as sub groups for preparing the action plan.
On 22nd Jan,2008 Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor inaugurated the Indo-US AKI Project on “Sustainable Water Resources Management Planning meeting” and shared his views to fulfil the of the project goals and enhance water resource management in India through collaborative research and education activities between the University of Florida (UF) and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCA & T) in the US, and Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) and Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in India.
The group leaders presented the sub-projects on Cropping systems, Soil and Water quality and characterisation of Water shed. New technologies both in the technical and educational spheres of the aforesaid project can contribute significantly for building long-term capacity to address the above issues. More so, use of modern tools like Remote Sensing, GIS and simulation techniques can be very effective in assessing and monitoring the water resources. This will contribute to creation of critical human and material resources needed for the application of new methods and tools water resource management.
Top^Project – III
Indo-US Agricultural Knowledge Initiative (AKI) -Capacity Building for Risk Analysis and Modeling to Promote Agriculture Trade in India
Focus Area: CAPACITY BUILDING
- Training of Indian Scientists in the area of Sanitary & phyto-sanitary regulations, risk analysis and modeling
- Training of Indian counterparts in the biotechnology including disease surveillance and diagnosi
2. Institutional Capacity Building
US Participants:
Principal Investigator: Dr. Tsegaye Habtemariam
Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing & Allied Health
Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088 Dr. Saul Wilson, Director of ICTAH, Co-Coordinator .
Dr.P. Gopal Reddy, Project Co-Coordinator , Tuskegee University
Tuskegee, AL 36088
Dr. Berhanu Tameru, Director of CCEBRA/BIMS, Co-Coordinator, Tuskegee University
Tuskegee, AL 36088
Dr. Richard Fite Chief of Risk Analysis Systems, Co-Director USDA/APHIS.
Collaborators from India:
Dr. B. Chenchu Reddy,
Director International Programmes,
Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University,
Rajendranagar, Hyderabad
Overview of Science-based Risk Analysis and Modeling
The World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) established standards for international regulations affecting agricultural trade. SPS regulation is widely recognized as an important constraint to agricultural development and trade for many developing countries. However, if agriculture is to continue to be an engine for growth and development in developing countries, if it is to continue to meet the international needs for food security and survival, and especially if developing countries wish to participate in trade, SPS capability must be strengthened. Article 5.1 of the SPS Agreement states, “Members shall ensure that their SPS measures are based on an assessment…of the risks….”. To comply with the SPS Agreement, countries must be able to survey for pests and diseases. They must then extract scientific evidence from their survey data and compile that evidence into a valid assessment of risk. The risk assessment can subsequently be used to support trade.
Workshop cum Training on “Capacity Building for Risk Analysis and Modeling to Promote Agricultural Trade in India”
The workshop cum training programme was conducted from 23rd July to 2nd August, 2007 at ANGR Agricultural University with following objectives:
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To provide training in risk analysis and SPS regulations to participants from India in order to promote global trade in agricultural products.
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To provide training in epidemiologic risk analysis and modeling with a focus on animal and plant health, and food safety risk assessments.
The Programme was jointly organised by ANGRAU, Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Tuskegee University, USA with cooperation from USDA, for the Strengthening Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) capacity in India through risk assessment training, and also to create long-term partnerships between Tuskgee University, USDA, ANGRAU in India and other Indian Government agencies and Universities. A total of 37 participants representing various Agricultural and Veterinary Universities, ICAR / ICMR Institutes, Officers form Forestry and Regulatory Bodies and Grain Storage and Export Council of India have attended the Workshop.
The Workshop was inaugurated on 23rd July 2007 at University Auditorium, Rajendranagar. Dr. S.P. Tiwari, DDG (Edn), ICAR, New Delhi was the Chief Guest and delivered the key note address. Dr. Tsegaye Habtemariam, Dean Tuskegee University gave the introductory remarks and Dr. S. Raghuvardhan Reddy, Vice-Chancellor, ANGRAU welcomed the gathering. The Guests of Honour, who attended the inaugural function, include Dr. Gerald Smith, Agricultural Attache, U.S. Embassy, New Delhi, Dr. Manmohan Singh, I.A.S, Vice-Chancellor, SVVU, Tirupati, Dr. Richard W. Fite, Chief, Risk Analysis Systems, APHIS / RAS, U.A.S. and Dr. Saul T. Wilson, Professor, Epidemiology, Tuskegee University, USA.
The major topics chosen for workshop were Risk Analysis (RA), Key prerequisites for Science based Risk Assessments, Bio statistics, hands on training for both decision makers and technical experts, development of risk assessment modules, RA in animal health, plant health and food safety. The complete series of course lectures and exercises were made available on CDROM and on websites at: http://compepid.tuskegee.edu and http://www.onemedicine.tuskegee.edu.
During the workshop all participants were encouraged to plan for risk assessment studies in the area of individuals, and also preparation of models with specific examples for Indian trade promotion. The major issues of risk analysis selected and trained were on mango exports to Europe; Spices exports to US, Germany, Europe, Japan; Meat exports to US and Europe; Egg products exports to US; Import of US Apples and China Apples and processed foods from Europe, US and other countries.
As a follow up the workshop and based on the performance of the training eight (8) participants have been selected and trained at Tuskegee University and USDA, USA from 18 -31 May,2008.
The main objective of US leg of the programme was to provide advanced training in risk analysis and SPS regulations through application of quantitative and qualitative risk assessments with a focus on animal and plant health. The training programme was divided into 2 parts: the first part was held at Tuskegee University Tuskegee from 19 to 24 May 2008 and the second part in USDA/ APHIS Washington DC and Riverdale from 24-31 May 2008. At Tuskegee University at College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health and Centre for Computational Epidemiology, bioinformatics and risk analysis consisted of a) Orientation towards Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures (SPS) of WTO and risk assessment methodology with case studies b) hands on exercise in quantitative and qualitative risk assessment. At USDA/ APHIS Riverdale, Maryland a) Overview of agencies involved in agricultural trade. b) Tour of Beltsville Agricultural Research Centre Farm and APHIS Emergency Operations centre and National Agricultural Library, Beltsville.
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4. COLLABORATIVE JOINT RESEARCH PROJECTS
Extrusion Technology
Dr. N. Lakshmi Devi, Professor and Dr. S. Shobha, Associate Professor participated in the collaborative project on “Extrusion Technology “at Department of Grain Science &Industry at Kansas State University, Kansas, Manhattan from March – May, 2008 under the technical guidance of Dr. Sajid Alavi. The objective of developing acceptable Sorghum based Nutritious Snacks using Extrusion Technology was fulfilled and a good insight gained in terms of material selection, preparation of formulations, extrusion conditions, machinery and quality evaluation of product.
Management of Stored Grain Pests
In collaboration with Kansas State University the Collaborative Research Project on the Documentation of Losses in Stored Grain and Management of Stored Grain Insect Pests with Low – Risk Grain Protectants and vacuum Technology will be implemented with financial outlay of Rs.10.00 lakhs at Agricultural College, Bapatla. The proposal has been approved with the consent of BoM, ANGRAU. The research studies includes survey, generation of data on grain protectants in laboratory, management and dissemination of information to end users. On be half of ANGRAU Dr. T. Madhumati and Dr. P. V. Krishnayya act as Principal Investigator and Co Principal Investigator and from KSU Dr.B.Subaramanyam , Professor of Entomology coordinating the programme.
Biological control of Soil Borne pathogens & Nematodes
In collaboration with Auburn University Collaborative Research Project on Integrated Management of Soil Borne fungal pathogens – phytoparasitic nematodes complese if Groundnut being implemented with a seed money of Rs. 6.80 lakhs at College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar. The main aim of the project is to identify the parental bio-control agents for the management to soil borne pathogens and nematodes besides multiplication of bio-agents for large scale Dr. K. V. Krishna Rao, Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar acting as Principal Investigator, ANGRAU while Dr. M. S. Reddy, Professor, Department of Plant Pathology as counter part from Auburn University, Auburn.
5. FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMMES
ANGRAU currently encourages the faculty and students for applying to the various fellowship programmes which includes :
Dr. B. Sahadeva Reddy, Senior Scientist (Agro.), Agricultural Research Station, Anatapur has been selected for Norman Bourlaug Fellowship under Indo-US AKI Programme facilitating training in the area Water and Drought Management at Michigan State University form 26th May to 3rd July, 2008 with financial assistance from DARE, New Delhi.
Dr. K. Jhansi, Senior Scientist (Ento.), Sugarcane Research Station, Vuyyur has been selected for Nuffic (the Netherlands Organization for International Cooperation in Higher Education) Fellowship facilitating a four week training programme on “Integrated Pest Management, organized by the Wageningen International and its partners in Wageningen UR, The Netherlands from 19-05-08 to 13-06-08.
6. COORDINATING FACULTY PARTICIPATION IN OVERSEAS
PROGRAMMES
Facilitating in deputation of the University Administrators and faculty members to various Study Tours, Training Programmes, Symposia, Workshops, Conferences and Conventions etc. During the year2007-2008 the following ANGRAU deputed to various overseas progarmmes.
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