At the inauguration of golden jubilee celebration of Veterinary College, Anand; the thirteenth National Convention of Indian Association of Women Veterinarians; and National Seminar on "Livestock Breeding Strategies for Production Enhancement Towards Rural Prosperity’ were held at Anand during 26-2BAug.2014
Dr N.C. Patel, VC, appreciated the role of women veterinarians and women farmers tor successful and profitable dairy industry. Dr S. Honnappagol, Commissioner of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Government of India, informed about the government policy regarding breeding strategies of livestock and emphasized the role of women veterinarians that can lead to women empowerment and rural prosperity. DrM.C.Vbrshney.VC, Kamdhenu University, Gandhinagar pointed out the importance of native breeds of cattle tor profitable dairy terming. Dr Amrita Patel, Chairman Charutar Arogya Mandat, Karamsad and former-chairman of NDDB, Anand, in her note key address laid emphasis on different breeding policies tor improvement of milk production.
Dr AM. Thaker, Dean, Veterinary College, gave detailed account of the pro-women policy for veterinary students in the Veterinary college of Gujarat Dr Madhu Swamy, President, Indian Association of Woman Veterinarians gave its brief introduction, it was started in 1985. Progressive term women as well as other lady veterinarians, viz. Dr Pushpa Ratnaparkhe, DrAlka Tomar, Dr R. Rajeshwari and Dr Anklta Kiitedar were felicitated on this occasion. About 200 women veterinarians from all over India participated in the seminar. On this occasion souvenir-cum-compertiium and Research Highlights of R.B.R. unit were released.

A national workshop on “Rabies awareness and celebration of world rabies day’ vires organized by Department of Veterinary Microbiology of Veterinary College on 28 Sept. 2014 in collaboration with Department of Animal Husbandry, Gujarat State, Gandhinagar. About 200 persons including delegates, invitees and speakers attended file workshop.
DrN.C. Patel, VC, presided over the inaugural function; DrA.J. Kachhia Patel, Director of Animal Husbandry, was the Chief Guest; and Dr M. C. Varshneya, VC, Kamdhenu University, Gandhinagar; Dr A.A. Patel, VC, SDAU, Sarriarkrushinagar; and Dr S. Abdul Rahman, President, Commonwealth Veterinary Association, Bengaluru, were the guests of honour. Dr Rahman delivered the keynote address on Towards sustainable prevention of rabies at source: case report India’. During the technical sessions, lectures on various aspects of rabies were delivered by Dr S.K. Isloor, In-charge, Rabies Diagnosis Laboratory, Veterinary College, Bengaluru; Dr K.S. Prajapati, PrafessorS Head, Department Pathology; and DrMJ. Dave, Deputy Director, in Veterinary Microbiology laboratory, A.H. Department, Gandhinagar. The sessions ended with vote of thanks by the Organizing Secretary, Dr M.K. Jhaia, Professor & Head, Department of Veterinary Microbiology.

A workshop entitled "Biotechnological Research in N. E. India: Present and Future’ was organized by the DBT-AAU centre for Agricultural Biotechnology at Jorhat from 18 to 20 Sept. 2014, the scientists and students from institutions across the North-East India took part in it. DrT. Madhan Mohan, Adviser to DBT and in-charge of DBTs North-East related initiatives attended the workshop and interacted with the participants. Prof. Bolin K. Konwar, VC, Nagaland University, a noted biotechnologist, delivered the keynote address. There were 8 technical sessions, viz. Gene technology, Marker-assisted breeding, Microbial biotechnology, Nanotechnology, Food biotechnology, Plant and animal molecular biology, Medicinal and aromatic plants, and Bioinformatics, The workshop identified areas requiring focused research in each sub-discipline and made specific recommendations which are being forwarded to the Department of Biotechnology, Govt, of India, so as to set priority in channelizing research grants.

The Central Varietal Identification Committee headed by Dr S.K. Datta, DDG (Crop Sciences), ICAR had identified wheat variety WH 1142 developed at CCSHAU for release in North Western Plains Zone, comprising Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, U.P., Jammu region of J&K and foot-hills of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, for timely-sown and restricted-irrigation conditions. The event was the 53rd All-India Wheat and Barley Research Workers' Meet held at Jawaharial Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur during 22-25 Aug. 2014. It gives average yield of 48.1 q/ha, which is 5 to 8% more compared with that of the check varieties WH 1080, HD 3043 and PBW 644. Besides, it is resistant to yellow rust disease and possesses high levels of protein (12.1%), iron (36.4 ppm), zinc (33.7 pm), with ehapati score (7.49) and bread quality score (6.85). The committee also identified a barley variety BH 959 for timely sown, irrigated conditions in the Central Zone, comprising MP, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kota and Udaipur divisions of Rajasthan. It gives average yield of 50 q/ha, which is 12.71 and 9.63% more than that of its check varieties PL 751 and RD 2786 respectively. It is also resistant to yellow rust and leaf-blight diseases.

A meeting of Chief scientists' on “Water management and ground water utilization’ was held at the university campus, inaugurated by Mrs Yidya Stokes, Irrigation and Public Health Minister, Government Of H.P., on 24 June 2014.

The twelfth undergraduate segment convocation of all the four constituent colleges of the university were held. The convocation of Coliege of Agriculture was held on 12 Sep. 2014. Shri Sujan Singh Pathania, Minister of Multi-purpose Projects and Power, Agriculture and Non-Conventional Energy Sources, Government of Himachal Pradesh, was the chief guest The convocation address of Colleges of Veterinary Sciences and College of Home Sciences were held on 15 and 19 Sep. 2014 respectively
Dr Kaiocft, VC, addressed the occasion and Shri Mukssh Agnihotri, Minister of industry, Labour & Employment, Parliamentary Affairs, Information & Public Relations, Government of Himachal Pradesh, was chairman at the meeting of college of Home Science. In these convocations 1,141 students were conferred undergraduate degrees in various disciplines, at the meeting of college of Home Science. In these convocations 1,141 students were conferred undergraduate degrees in various disciplines.

Dr NAT. Carvalho, Scientific Researcher, Sao Paulo State Buffalo Research Farm, Sao Paulo, Brazil visited the university on invitation of Dr S.N.S. Randhawa, Director of Research-cum-Dean PGS, GADVASU. Dr Carvalho interacted with the faculty members and PG students, and delivered lecture On usefulness of ETT for improving the buffalo germpiasm. Ha also visited ETT laboratory and exchanged his expertise through practical demonstration of embryo flushing in buffalo.
Dr Carvalho revealed that Murrah buffalo in Brazil is capable of producing 5000 litres miik per lactation. The germplasm of these superior buffaloes ran be propagated through ETT. The university scientists pointed out that buffaloes are tie mainstay of Indian dairy industry, contributing towards 50% of annual miik production.
Dr Randhawa said that GADVASU has the expertise in cattle embryo- transfer technology and has produced over 50 calves. The university has already trained 46 field veterinary doctors in ETT under the state sponsored ETT project. Dr Randhawa informed that varsity is aiso in the process to develop facilities for embryo transfer in buffaloes, and Dr S.P.S. Ghuman, V.S. Malik and Dr Sumit Singhal are working in this area under the leadership of Dr P.S. Brar, Head, Department of Veterinary Gynecology & Obstetrics. The visit of Dr Carvalho to the university provided an excellent opportunity to gain experience as a step toward fulfilling the mutual goals of India and Brazil for increasing the reproductive efficiency of buffalo.

Dr Hari Mohan Saxena, Professor of Immunology, has been invited to participate in Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2015-16} Survey conducted by Times Higher Education, UK and Elseviers under the Times Higher Education Global Institutional Profiles Project. The participants were statistically selected for this survey from ail over the world, to represent researchers in their academic field and the country. Only highly regarded individuals in their specialized fields are invited to take part in tills survey. The survey wi! form a data source that will provide the best informed and most effective resource to buiid profiles of academic institutions around the world. The results of the survey are used to create a picture of the global higher education and research landscape. Dr Saxena is empanelled among the INSPIRE Mentors of the country by Department of Science and Technology of Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, and is a recipient of Eminent Educationist Award of Indus Foundation, Hyderabad; Lifetime Education Excellence Award with medal of Ail India Business DeveiopmentAssociation; and Bharat Shiksha Ratna Award of Global Society for Health and Educational Growth.

The university organized a Food festival on 15 Dec. 2014 to popularize among the masses various value added meat, fish and milk products, developed by three colleges. Anumber ofvalue added products prepared from chicken and fish were exhibited alongwith a wide range of milk products developed byCollege ofVeterinary Sciences, College ofFisheries and College of Dairy Science and Technology. Dr B.S. Dhillon, VC, PAU and Dr Sandeep Puri, Principal, Dayanand Medical College inaugurated the festival in the presence of DrV.K. Taneja, VC, GADVASU, and DrK.S. Sandhu, Member, Punjab Public Service Commission, besides deans directors and otherofficialsofthe university. Department of Livestock Products and Technology, COVS displayed and sold various meatproducts prepared from chicken such as nuggets, cutiet, patties, balls and meat pickle, along with meat-based snack products like noodles, chicken- semosa, waddi, and biscuitwhich can bestored even atroom temperature formore than 3months. College ofDairyScience and Technology introduced array ofmouth dairyproducts categorized as health and value-added products. Various ready-io-cookvalue-added carpfish products likefish balls,fish cutietsand fish fingers, developed from deboned carp meat were displayed and sold by CollegeofFisheries. DrV.K. Taneja, VC, said thatthe Foodfestival hasproved agreatsuccess, anditisa new beginning for popularizing value added products among the masses. He infolTTled that a small group of farmers shall come forward to take up value addition as an enterprise for higher economic benefit.

To provide well-equipped facilities and adequate space for efficient working in College of Fisheries, foundation stone for its new building was laid by Dr V,K. Taneja, VC, on 3 Dec. 2014. For the last 6years, College of Fisheries was based and working in the available buildings with anassociated farm area. Dr Asha Dhawan, Dean, College of Fisheries, said that the new building will have state-of-art teaching, research and extension facilities to corroborate the mandate of different departments.
Dr S.P.S. Sangha, DSW-cum-Eslate Officer, informed that the building ofC ollege of Fisherie swill bes pread 60,000sq/ft area with 3floors. The project will be completed in 12 months, costing Rs 7.78 crores. DrP.D. Juyal, Registrar; DrS.N.S. Randhawa, Director Research; Dr Harpal Singh Sandhu, Dean College of Veterinary Science; Dr Sushil Prabhakar, Controller of Examinations, HoDs of different departments, and a large number of faculty members and employees ofthe university graced the occasion.

Dr V.K. Taneja retired as VC after completing two successful tenns. Dr Taneja, a renowned Veterinary scientist and policy-maker, was appointed VC, in December2006.
In along inning of45 years of service (1969-2014), Dr Taneja served as teacher, researcher and scientific coordinator. He held positions of Animal Husbandry Commissioner, Gol and DDG (Animal Sciences), ICAR, NewDelhi. He was associated with Planning Commission, Gol from tenth Five-year plan onwards, and was Chainnan, Working Group on Animal Husbandry and Dairying during twelfth Five-YearPlan.
The Teachers' Association of the university organized a warm farewell on his departure. DrV.K. Gandotra, President, applauded his contribution; whereas DrP.D. Juyal,Registrar, highlighted the important points ofhis whole service career. His family members wife Mrs. Aruna Taneja, his daughter and grand-daughter were also there tocherish the memorable moments. The Deans, Directors, HoDs and faculty members attended the function.

The valedictory function and certificate distribution ceremony of Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) on 'Hygienic processing and value addition of meat and meat products for employment generation and women empowennenr were organized by Department of Livestock Products Technology, at Ludhiana, on 23 Jan. 2015. The programme was held during 29 Dec. 2014 - 24 Jan. 2015, sponsored by Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Gol. There were 30participants from six districts of Punjab and other states including the UP and Bihar, representing all categories like women, castes, minority community etc. DrManish Kumar Chatii, Head, LPT & Course Director infonned that during this programme, major stress was laid on hands-on training of the participants. There were 60 lectures including hands-on-training classes, factory visits, lectures by banks/financial institutions, marketing experts, engineers and industry personnel.

The College of Agriculture held a national symposium on 'ECM technologies for safe, secure and profitable food production' during 1ll-11 Oct. 2014. Dr. Arvind Kumar, VC, Maharani Laxmibai Central Agriculture University, Jhansi inaugurated il. On this occasion Dr A.K. Singh, VC of Rajmata Vijyaraje Sindhia Agricultural University,Gwalior,was also present as special guest, besides 200 other eminent scientists, researches and students ofvarious institutions ofIndia. The symposium was organized by Agronomy Society of Department of Agronomy.

Department of Agrometeorology of College of Agriculture organized an intemational symposium on 'New dimensions in agrometeorology for sustainable agriculture (NASA-2014)' during 16-18 Oct. 2014. In the inaugural session Dr H.S. Gupta, DG, L Boriaug Institute for South Asia, New Delhi, was the chief guest Prof. H.S. Dhami, new VC, presided inthe valedictory session, held on 18 Oct. 2014, DrL.S. Rathore, DG, Indian Meteorological Department, was the Chief Guesl.lnthis session recommendationsof11 technical sessionswere presented and winners ofdifferent sessions were awarded. The symposium was attended by scientists from Gennany, France, The UK, Finland, Nigeria, Ethiopia and various universities and institutes of India.

The University celebrated its 55th foundation day on 17Nov. 2014. On this occasion Bharat Ratna Pl. Govind Ballabh Pant Memorial Lecture was organized in Conference Hall of College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Prof. R.C. Pant, fonner VC, Kumaun University, delivered the lecture. Prof. H.S. Dhami, presided, Dr B.S. Bisht, fonner VC, and presentiy Director, Birla Institute ofApplied Sciences, was guest of honour.

The College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences received approval of'All India co-ordinated research project: Utlarakhand goat unit, financed bythe ICAR, New Delhi. The project is being conducted by Central Research Institute on Goat, Makhdoom, Mathura(U.P.). The total cost of this project sanctioned under the twelfth Five-YearPlan is Rs73.35lakhs.

Based on preliminary results, new mango varieties Ambika, Arunika, Pant Sinduri, Pusa Arunima, Pusa Surya and Mallika showed good prospects of production in thestate and nearbyareas.Among theseArunika, PantSinduri and Pusa Arunima can be chosen for kitchen garden and high-density orchard planting.

• Atraining programme on quality-seed production, especially of rice (paddy) species and hybrid rice, was organized by AICRP at College of Agriculture during 25-26Aug. 2014. Total 25 persons from Indian Fanners and Fertilizers Development Corporation and GBPUAT participated in it.
• The Centre of Advanced Faculty Training on Plant Pathology of College of Agriculture organized a 21-day training on 'Innovative approaches and advances for diagnosis and detection of plant diseases in relation to their managemen from 2 to22 Sep. 2014. Total 21 scientists from 11 states of India participated in this ICAR-sponsored training.

An exhibition of high quality heifers was organized at Bijti village of Sitarganj block of U.S. Nagar district on 30 Aug. 2014 under AICRP on Catlle-Frieswal. Dr Brahm Prakash, Director, Central Callie Research Institute, Meerut, inaugurated the exhibition. About 50 heifers were brought by the fa""ers of nearby villages in the exhibition. Eminent scientists from Scientists evaluating heifers different centres ofAll-India Co-ordinated Research Project on Callie evaluated the participating heifers in four different categories. The farmers owning selected high-category heifers were given prizes at the end of the exhibition.

The IGKV in collaboration with the ICAR, New Delhi organized the ICAR VII Regional Committee meeting at College of Agriculture, Raipur during 17-18 Oct. 2104. State Agricultural universities as well as research institutes, and national level agricultural research institutes from Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Goa states participated. Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Union MinisterofAgriculture,Govemmentoflndia, thechiefguest, inaugurated the function on 17 Oct. 2014. DrRaman Singh, Chief Minister, Government ofChhatlisgarh, chaired the inaugural session. Shri Brij Mohan Agrawal, Minister forAgriculture, Chhatlisgarh Govemment, and Ms Kusum Mehandele, Minister,Govemmentof Madhya Pradesh, graced the function asspecial guests. Mr Ramesh Bais, MP, Raipur Lok Sabha; Mr Devji Bhai Patel, MLA, Dharsiwa, Chhatlisgarh; DrS. Ayyappan, DG, ICAR, New Delhi; Shri Ajay Singh, Chief Secretary and Agriculture Production Commissioner, Government of Chhatlisgarh; DrS.K. Pati, VC, IGKV, Raipur, and DrK.R. Kmati, Member Secretary, ICAR Regional Committee &Director, Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur, were also present on the occasion as guests of honour.
Shri Radha Mohan Singh in his speech appreciated the quality of Dr I.. R.H. Richharia laboratory and recalled its significant contributions in the area of collecting the rice genetic material. He stressed upon the importance of the development of the native breed of cows in this era of climate change. He stated that the native breeds are able to better tolerate higher temperatures than crossbred cows. He suggested that breeding center fornative cows should be established at the national level. During his address heannounced that Indira Gandhi Agricultural University campus would get 3,00ll-seat auditorium int he memory of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya at the costof Rs 3crores. He approved the establishment of Farmers hostel to honour Khubchand Baghel and also announced the approval and assured prompt establishment of new KVKs in the newly carved out seven districts of Chhatisgarh.
The meeting concluded on 18Oct. 2014, under the chairmanship of DrS. Ayyappan, DG, ICAR, New Delhi. In the plenary session, DrSK Patil, VC, informed thatthe regional commitlee meeting proved very interactive, and many issues related toagriculture inthe states ofChhatlisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Goa were discussed. During this meeting, DrPatil highlighted the potential ofLathyrus crop (grasspea) which isknown aspoor people's protein in Chhatlisgarh. He sought financial support from the ICAR, New Delhi forGene- silencing technique for removal of harmfull toxin (B- ODAP) from the seeds of Lathyrus.

Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Union Minister of Agriculture, Govemment of India; and Dr Raman Singh, CM, Govemment of Chhattisgarh, jointly inaugurated Dr R.H. Richharia Research Laboratory at the premises of College ofAgriculture, Raipuron 17 Oct. 2014. Shri Brij Mohan Agrawal, Minister for Agriculture, Chhatlisgarh, and Ms Kusum Mehandele, General-Minister,Govemment of Madhya Pradesh; Mr Ramesh Bais, MP, RaipurLokSabha; Mr Devji Bhai Patel, MLA, Dharsiwa, Chhatlisgarh, Dr S. Ayyappan, DG, ICAR, New Delhi; ShriAjay Singh, Chief Secretary and Agriculture Production I: Commissioner, Government of Chhatlisgarh; Dr S.K. Patil, VC, Member Secretary, ICAR Regional Committee; & the Director, Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur, graced the occasion.

Dr S. Ayyappan, DG, ICAR & Secretary, DARE, inaugurated the girts' hostel and guest house at Dairy Technology College, Warud (Pusad) on 20 July 2014, at a function chaired by Pnof.A.K. Misra, VC. The giris'hostel at Warud, funded by the ICAR, was a long-standing requirement for providing aocommodation facility tothe girts coming across the state and the ICAR students coming from various parts ofthe country. The guest house at Warud (Pusad) is funded by State Government.

The SDAU has good expertise in hybrid seed technology that has transformed and catapulted the production scenarios of different crops. Castor hybrid- seed technology GCH 7 is one such intervention that has increased the productivity of cast or from 3q to 21q lha.Thefete isprobablymore conspicuous than green revolution. However, the sex expression incastor is very tricky, and is highly impacted by both predictable and unpredictable environmental factors. Consequently hybrid seed production in cast or often confronts large scale rejection of seed plots if adequate care is not taken. Appreciating this pragmatic field problem, a collaborative interface meeting involving Institute of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad; Gujarat State Seed Growers' Association, Ahmedabad; Gujarat State Seed Agency, Gandhinagar and SDAU was organized at Sardarkrushinagaron 27 Nov. 2014.
Prof(Dr)AshokA. Patel, VC, inaugurated the seminar. He laid stress upon the multi-face advantages and derivatives of castor. Gujarat contributes profusely to national economy through export of castor. Atpresent the contribution of Gujarat to the national area (acreage) and production is more than 50 and 72%, respectively. DrK.S. Varaprasad, Director, lOR, laid emphasis on the genetic purity ofseed, because aminor genetic upheaval can jeopardice whole seed-production programme. The interface delved upon vaned tOPiCS like germplasm exchange, maintenance breeding, problems of high rejection of seed lots ingrow-out tests, revalidation ofisolation distance and breeding for resistance towilt, root rot and nematodes. The seed growers laid emphasis on the development ofearly-maturing castor of160-180 days duration. The seed association desired that cytoplasmic sterility may be developed by wide hybridization with species like Jatropha to alleviate the tedious sex expression incastor. It was agreed that though this issue is not on national priority of research in castor, itcan be done on contractual basis if agreed upon by the seed association.

DrS.Ayyappan, DG, ICAR&Secretary, DARE, Government of India inaugurated the first foundation day programme of the university in the presence ofmany dignitaries. On this occasion new logo and website of UAHS, Shimoga were launched and 4 issues of UAHS, Newsletter, University Profile, first book in Sarala Vignana Maal ike book series, book on Yasho Gathe about award-winning farmers, multimedia CD on 'Root grub and root knot nematodes' and extension leaf lets were released.
Ten new AICRP programmes were launched. Foundation stone was laid for construction of PG hostel, and mementos were presented to the first batch ofUG and PG graduates ofthe university. A'krishi mahithi' programme for AIRwas launched, sponsored bythe university. Atechnical interaction meeting ofPGstudentswas arranged with DrS.Ayyappan, with theVCfrom three agricultural orhorticultural universitiesofthe state, officers, staff, final year B. Sc. students and post-graduate students. The questions ranged from corporate social responsibilities of the industries in sponsoring PG fellowship, guidelinesfor PG admission underthe ICAR quotato migration of rural educated youth. DrAyyappan also visited the paddy plots of students on crop production, and interacted with the students.

Dr D.P. Biradar, VC, nominated as President of Executive Council of Cotton Research and Development Association for the period 2015 - 2017. A communication from Cotton Research and Development Association, located at Choudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, has confirmed the nomination.

Shri Siddaramaiah, CM of Karnataka, inaugurated Krishimela-2014, amega farmer festival, organized with the theme "Soil health: farmers' wealth", at Dharwad campus, on 28 Sept. 2014. He called upon the scientists to develop technologies that are cost-effective and reach the farmers toincrease their farm production. Shri Krishna Byregowda, Minister of State for Agriculture, highlighted the soil- health cards and the campaign by State department of agriculture , universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras. Innovative farmers were honoured with Shreshta Krishika, Shreshta Krishi Mahile, Yuva Krishik and Yuva Krishi Mahle for their best performance. The meladrew 111akhs people, comprising farmers, farm women, and representatives from development departments, agri- business houses, NGOs, state government officials and other stake-holders in agriculture. About 1,037 q(winter season) rabi-crop seeds, worth Rs 74 lakhs, were sold during the mela. Total 1,195 farmers visited the consultancy cell setup especially as a part of the mela and sought practical solutions for their farm problems.

On the recommendation of State Government, the Governor of Uttarakhand sanctioned second term of3 years to Prof. Matthew Prasad as VC of Uttarakhand University of Horticulture and Forestry. During his first tenure, Prof. Matthew established the university on firm footing, and also expanded it to address holistic development of horticulture and forestry. Recently, he bagged "22nd Dewang Mehta Business School Award" fordeveloping innovative industry interface. Under Section 44of the Central UniversitiesAct-2009, MHRD nominated Prof. Prasad as memberof firstCourtofH.N.B. Garhwal University(acentral university). Prof.Arvind Shukla, Director (Research), said that the university will attain greater heights under the leadership ofProf. Prasad. Prof. Matthew appealed to all concerned persons to help in building up the institution.

Ashort course on Integrated farming systems towards livelihood security was organized during 10-19 Dec. 2014 by AICRP on Integrated Farming Systems, VNKV, Parbhani under the aegis ofThe ICAR, New Delhi. Dr B. Venkateswarlu, VC, presided over the inaugural function He stressed the importance of DrB.Venkateswarlu, addressing theparticipants integrated farming systems toassure the income ofthe dryland farmers. The participants from different parts ofthe country participated inthis short course, including the faculty members. Dr W.N. Narkhede, Officer In-charge, IFS organized thewinterschool.

Entire Maharashtra state and Marathwada region is heavily affected by drought. The farmers losttheir rainy season (khariQ crops and sowing of winter season (rabi) crops were also affected .The university initiated programme called umed. This aims to reassure the farmers and give them moral support during their critical period of economic hardship. For this purpose all the colleges, research stations ATS in8districts ofMarathwada region and school studentsare involved.This programmewill covertwovillages ineach block.