Scientist awarded for vegetative propagation technique

Lalit Mohan

Dr Pardeep Kumar, a scientist at the department of vegetable science and floriculture, Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, Palampur, has been conferred the State Innovation Award, 2016-17. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur felicitated him on Independence Day. Dr Pardeep Kumar has been awarded for his idea on “Innovative vegetative propagation technique for capsicum, tomato and cucumber production”. The award consists of Rs 31, 000 cash for the scientist and Rs 2 lakh for the university. Vice-Chancellor AK Sarial said he hoped that the new technique would reduce the cost of expensive hybrid seeds and would popularise stem-cutting propagation technique in the state. Traditionally, these vegetables are propagated through seeds, as per the new technique, these can be propagated through cuttings. 

Meet on natural farming

The department of animal genetics and breeding held the annual review meeting of All-India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on goats in which Dr JK Jena, Deputy Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, was the chief guest and Prof AK Sarial, Vice-Chancellor, presided over the inaugural ceremony. Scientists from various parts of the country attended the meeting and discussed new technologies to improve goat and sheep breeds.

Training for farmers

The Directorate, Extension Education and Krishi Vigyan Kendras, organised 43 training programmes on various aspects  of  farming. As many as  1,730 farmers were imparted training. During the workshop, farm trials were conducted by the Krishi Vigyan Kendras. The department of agricultural engineering organised a camp on “Women friendly tools and equipment” at Machkehd village. 

Research projects 

Six research projects worth Rs 51.26 lakh have been sanctioned for the university by different funding agencies.  Nine projects worth Rs 2.46 crore under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) have  been sanctioned  by the state government for 2018-19. Five research projects worth Rs 55.05 lakh have been submitted to the State Council for Science Technology and Environment, Shimla. A proposal worth 

Rs 58.43 lakh has been submitted to the DBT, Delhi, and another worth Rs 19.27 lakh has been submitted to the ICAR, Delhi. Fifteen research project proposals worth Rs 719.3 lakh have been submitted to the government under the National Livestock Mission. Three research projects worth Rs 3.55 crore have been submitted to the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay. Two research projects worth Rs 16.64 lakh have been submitted to Sri Sri Rural Development Programme Trust, Bengaluru. 

Board meeting

AK Sarial, Vice-Chancellor, chaired the meeting of the board of management and finance committee at the university recently. Many important decisions, aiming at utilising the expertise of outstanding academicians on the pattern of ICAR Emeritus Professor Scheme, were taken.