State agri varsity bags Rs 2.3-crore research grant

In a significant milestone for agricultural innovation and academic collaboration, Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, has been awarded a Rs 2.3-crore research grant under the ANRF-PAIR (Anusandhan National Research Foundation — Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation & Research) Scheme — Category B.

Talking to mediapersons here on Monday, Vice-Chancellor Naveen Kumar announced that the project, sanctioned by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), would be undertaken in collaboration with the University of Delhi as the hub institution, along with three spoke institutions.

The initiative is part of the national research agenda aimed at driving interdisciplinary innovations to address critical ecological and agricultural challenges.

Dr Abhishek Walia, assistant professor of microbiology, will head the project as principal investigator, supported by a team of eight co-principal investigators — Dr NK Sankhyan, Dr Raj Paul, Dr Radhika Sharma, Dr Tanuja Rana, Dr Ashish Kumar, Dr Joginder Pal, Dr Jagriti Thakur and Dr Sharmishta Thakur.

The project will focus on environmental sustainability, targeting sustainable soil productivity, promotion of eco-friendly farming practices and academic capacity building.