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  Outstanding Students
  Shri Vipin Kumar, Student of Certificate of Analysis, Hisar obtained first Rank in All India Entrance Examination PG (Agronomy) in national level examination conducted by the ICAR New Delhi.
• Dr Ajay Pal, Dr (Mrs) Sarita Devi, Dr Jayanti Tokas and Dr (Mrs) Anju Sehrawat from College of Basic Sciences and Humanities; Dr (Mrs) Sangeeta Chahal Sindhu, from College of Home Science; Dr (Mrs) Yadvika and Dr Vijay Singh, from College of Agriculture Engineering and Technology; Dr Devvart Yadav, Dr Mukesh Saini from College of Agriculture Hisar visited Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Austria under the World Bank-funded NAHEP-IDP project. During their visit all the faculty members got exposure on latest research and teaching techniques of these countries.
• Total 16 students of College of Basic Sciences and Humanities qualified prestigious national-level competitive examinations. Out of these, 11 students cleared the ASRB’s NET and 3 students cleared the CSIR’s NET examination. Likewise, 2 students qualified the GATE.
• Under the student-exchange programme, two students of the university joined Tokyo University of Agriculture, Japan. These students were: Mr Parminder and Mr Vinod Mundlia.
• The Golden Jubilee-Inter College Youth Festival (Literary and Fine Arts) – 2019 was organized in the university during 24-26 Apr. 2019. In this festival, nearly 400 students of different colleges of the CCSHAU as well as the Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences participated and showcased their talent.

The Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni celebrated the Annual Rose Fest on 25 Apr. 2019. The festival was organized at the Dr Thakur Rose Garden, located on the university campus. This garden has the largest germplasm collection of roses in Himachal Pradesh. With over 400 varieties of roses, both exotic and local, the garden is a sight to behold. Visitors were thrilled to see roses in different hues of red, pink, white, magenta, orange, yellow and green. Established in 2010, the garden was expanded in the year 2011. It comprises several classes of modern roses, like Hybrid teas, Floribunda and Polyantha, along with a beautiful repository of miniatures, shrub and climbing roses. In Hybrid teas the varieties like Hot Point, White Delight, Gemini, Calico, Milky Way, Summer Fragrance, Ashwani etc. are on display at the festival. In Floribunda, Orange Passion, Romance, White Arrow, Color Wonder, Funny Curl, Together Forever and Rainbow Sherbet are some of the prominent varieties. Varieties like Knock Out, Fedora, Starry Night and Candy Mountain in Shrub Roses; and Pink Spray, Nartaki, Anjali, Chandrika, Best of Friends etc. In Polyanthus can also be seen at the garden. Besides, over 50 varieties of miniature roses like Baby Blanket, Peek-a-boo, Chipper and Red Fairy; and 17 varieties of climbing roses like Royal Gold,Super Fairy and Twist add another dimension to the garden.

The Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Chamba of the Dr YSPUHF, Nauni was awarded at the national level for successful implementation of National Innova-tions in Climate-Resilient Agriculture project in Lagga village. The NICRA is an ICAR-funded project, which was started in 2011 throughout India in 100 KVKs, including four of Himachal Pradesh. The project was launched to address the climatic vulnerability prevailing in these kendras. Climatic vulnerability like water scarcity, drought, dry spells, delayed monsoon, hailstorm, cold waves and prolonged winter season were addressed under this project. This NICRA model of KVK, Chamba was awarded at the Annual Review Workshop of Krishi Vigyan Kendras, which was held recently at Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad, in which representatives of 121 KVKs took part. The Best NICRA Award for Zone-1 was presented by Dr A.K. Singh, Deputy Director- General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR, New Delhi.

Under the project, KVK, Chamba carried out interventions at village Lagga, which falls under Mehla block of district Chamba. It comprises 7 small villages, viz. Lagga, Pudhruin, Ghati, Osal, Hathla, Shakla and Prechha. In the first phase (2011-2016), 102 families were selected covering an area of 89 ha, under different interventions. Four modules, viz. Natural Resource Management, Crop Production, Livestock and Fisheries, and Capacity Building were covered. Different interventions/ demonstrations were also carried out in these selected villages. In 2018, 5 more villages were adopted to upscale the proven technology of existing villages. Successful interventions include the introduction of spur-type apple plantations in 24.9 ha area, 64 polyhouses, crop diversification with cabbage (46.0 ha), crop diversification with cauliflower (59.5 ha) and protected cultivation in 0.80 ha area (Capsicum, cucumber and tomato are grown under protected cultivation).

A‘National seminar on Doubling Income through Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture was organized during 5-7 June at Nauni. The seminar was organized jointly by Society for Advancement of Human and Nature Solan and UHF, Nauni. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla were the technical collaborators. The seminar saw highly successful deliberations on various topics, where 218 abstracts were received. The participants covered a wide range of topics through poster and oral presentations. Several new crops, technologies and tools for production, protection and dissemination of technology were presented and discussed in the technical sessions of the seminar. There was consensus among all the scientists on the need to develop eco-friendly technologies and improved cultivars. Many presentations also emphasized the need to diversify through new crops and value addition. Besides, there were several new ideas for reducing the cost of farm inputs, plant protection, reduction of post-harvest losses, improvement of market access and infrastructure for improving the farmers’ income. The participants also gave exciting presentations on nutritional-quality improvement as well as innovative products. While congratulating the participants, he spoke about the journey of the society and the work done in the field of education to the underprivileged.

A training/workshop on ‘Basics of bio-informatics and its application for applied life sciences’ was organized by Sub-DIC Bio-informatics at Department of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, of College of Basic Sciences and Humanities during 27-29 Apr, 2019. The aim of the training was that every agricultural scientist should have essential knowledge of bio-informatics. The bio-informatic tools can be used for identification of the useful genes and proteins, which can be exploited to develop the disease-resistant organic crop varieties that can use soil nutrients efficiently.

Dr. Tej Partap, VC, was the chief guest, and Dr Manoj Prasad, Principal Scientist, NIIPGR, New Delhi, was the guest of honour of the inaugural function.

The Indian Agricultural Univer-sities Association organized its 8th Regional Committee Meeting (workshop) at Pantvarsity during 9-10 May 2019. The topic of this meeting was: ‘Agricultural university’s’ governance system–driving forces of change and challenges’. The chief guest of the meeting was Dr A.R. Pathak, President, IAUA, and Vice-Chancellor, Junagarh Agricultural University, Junagarh, (Gujarat). Vice-Chancellor of Anand Agricultural University, Anand, (Gujarat); Dr N.C. Patel, Deputy Director-General (Agricultural Education), ICAR, Dr N.S. Rathore, were the guest of honour on this occasion. Dr Tej Partap, organized the event. Besides, 30 other Vice-Chancellors, Deans and Directors attended the workshop. Total 13 sessions on different aspects were held in the meeting.

The Insecticides (India) Ltd, New Delhi, purchased an advanced technology of bio-fertilizer production of Pantvarsity in Rs 14 lakhs. An agreement to this effect was signed between the university and the Insecticide India Ltd on 7 May 2019, which was signed by Director, Experiment Station from Pantvarsity and Manager of Delhi Branch of the firm from their side, in the presence of Dr Tej Partap, VC. Mycorrhiza-based in-vitro propagation technology of bio-fertilizer, developed by the scientists of Department of Biological Sciences of College of Basic Sciences and Humanities of the university, is useful in increasing the growth and production of plants by 5 to 20 % besides developing resistance against soil-borne diseases. The product has been tested on different food grains, legumes, vegetables and the flower and horticultural crops. The company will produce this bio-fertilizer at mass level to make it available to the farmers.

The College of Technology of the university received two international research projects under Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration, of Ministry of Human Resource Development of Government of India. The first project is entitled ‘Recharge process of springs and its management to mitigate the impact of anthropogenic and climate change for water security: A case study in part of Kumaun Lesser Himalayas, India’. This project, besides having faculty members of Department of Civil Engineering, College of Technology, Pantvarsity as Co-Principal Investigator, also has experts from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, as foreign principal investigator besides of Western Sydney University and University of Melbourne, (Australia), as international partners. Second international research project entitled ‘Securing water for agricultural and food sustainability: Developing trans-disciplinary approach to ground-water management’ has scientists of Department of Civil Engineering, College of Technology, Pantvarsity; Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, (West Bengal); Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat, (Gujarat); Western Sydney University and Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia; and Wisconsin University, The USA.

Dr J.S. Mahal, Director of Extension, gave a call for genuine sensitization towards need to preserve bio-diversity. Dr S.S. Kukal, Dean, College of Agriculture, dwelt on small self-checks at personal level, like mindful use of water, growing fruit trees and minimizing ward-robe size as effective ways towards environment conservation. Shri Rohit Mehra, (IRS), Additional Income Tax Commissioner spoke on the need for returning back to our roots and growing important trees like Neem, Peepal and Moringa with double benefit of health promotion and environment conservation.

A Hands-on training on Statistical Tools and Database Management was organized by Department of Soil Science, (PAU, Ludhiana) during 10-15 June, 2019, under the ICAR NAHEP-CAAST project, with the generous support of the resource persons from Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi. About 35 participants including young faculty members, research fellows, Ph.D. and M.Sc. students participated in this training programme. The trainees were empowered to handle data using different statistical tools including Statistical Package for Social Science, R.R Studio, Correlation and Regression Analysis, Cluster Analysis, Data Mining and Introduction to Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis software, Artificial Intelligence and Knowledge-based System, Logistic Regression, Classification and regression tree, Machine-Learning Technique: Artificial Neural Networks.

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  PTH-2 (Tomato)
  PTH-2 (Tomato): It is suitable for processing purposes and its average yield is 270 q/ha. Its TSS content is 4.2% and lycopene content 4.7%. It is resistant to late blight and root-knot nematodes.
 
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  PSM-1 (Capsicum)
  PSM-1 (Capsicum): It is an early-maturing variety, and first picking is possible 109 days after transplanting under poly net house. It is tolerant to high temperatures, and it gives average yield of 246 q/ha. It is suitable for fresh market and distant transportation.
 
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  PRO-7 (Onion)
  PRO-7 (Onion): Its bulbs are red, medium-large and round, with thin-tight neck. It is an early-maturing variety, and takes 120 days from transplanting to harvesting. It has good keeping quality and tolerance to bolting. It is suitable for fresh consumption. The average yield is159 q/ha.
 
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  PWO-35 (Onion)
  PRO-7 (Onion): Its bulbs are red, medium-large and round, with thin-tight neck. It is an early-maturing variety, and takes 120 days from transplanting to harvesting. It has good keeping quality and tolerance to bolting. It is suitable for fresh consumption. The average yield is159 q/ha.
 
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  PYO-102 (Onion)
  PYO-102 (Onion): Its bulbs are yellow, large and globular with tight neck. It is suitable for fresh consumption and export. It takes 141 days from transplanting to harvesting. It has good keeping-quality and tolerance to bolting. The average yield is164 q/ha.
 
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  Punjab Nawab (Pumpkin)
  Punjab Nawab (Pumpkin): It is suitable for rainy season cultivation. Its average yield is 138.86 q/ha. It is tolerant to pumpkin yellow vein mosaic virus.

The ninth convoca-tion of the university was held on 26 June, 2019 at the main campus. Shri Shiva shankara Reddy, Pro-Chancellor of the University and Shri Laxman S. Savadi Minister for Agriculture, Govt. of Karnataka, declared the convocation open, and later on other things went as scheduled. Dr Ashok Dalwai, Chief Executive Officer, National Rainfed Area Authority, New Delhi, delivered the convocation address. In his address, he remarked that India has created a record in food production in our entire globe but the living condition of our farmers remained the same.

He said the agriculture revenue is less than the income of industrial laborers. Farmers could not get a suitable price for their produces. Moreover, they also suffered the brunt of adverse weather conditions and calamities. Modern farming methods should be promoted among the farmers to make it a profitable venture today. Farmers had been facing problems in cultivating their lands. They had been spending more on cultivation without utilizing the modern technical innovations. A healthy country cannot be developed till the agriculture sector gets empowered and the welfare of the farmers is achieved. The interests of farmers should not be neglected. The agricultural expenses should be reduced and the farmers should opt for the crops that give maximum yield; in addition good market should be ensured for the farmers’ produce. He opined that the results of the green revolution brought positive growth in the agriculture sector. The food grains also received good market. But the fertility of the soil decreased and cultivation of crops was affected.

Dr K. N. Kattimani, Vice-Chancellor, briefed about the progress of the university. He said that the university programmes will be planned considering the welfare of the farmers in the region. Efforts were being made to develop the university as the farmers’ university. Researches in water management, sustainable watershed development, development of agricultural machines to facilitate small and medium-scale farmers, food safety, pesticide-free food-grains and nanotechnology in agriculture would be carried out in the university. Further, he mentioned that the university is planned to start ‘Centre of Excellence’, wherein food processing, value addition, agri-marketing and management, climate change etc., would be studied, and proposal in this regard has already been submitted to the ICAR, New Delhi.

In extension, transferring the technology on real-time basis through e-SAP, demonstration of IFS module in the different agro-climatic situations, demonstration of IPM and ICM in major crops, and the demonstration of zero cultivation and conservation agriculture in different rainfed and irrigated areas of the region have been planned. In this Convocation, 270 under-graduates, 164 post-graduates and 24 Ph.D. degrees were conferred. The dignitaries distributed the certificates and gold medals to rank holders. The Hon’ble members of the Board of Management, members of the Academic Council and parents of the students graced the occasion.

The Zonal Research and Extension Advisory Council (ZREAC) and Zonal Research and Extension Formulation Committee (ZREFC) meeting was organized during 6-8 June 2019 at the main campus. Dr K.N. Kattimani, Vice-Chancellor, UAS, Raichur, inaugurated the meeting. In his inaugural address he called upon the scientists to concentrate and formulate their research relevant to the climate change. Emphasis should be given to formulate research to retain the soil health as well as popularize of hydroponics and Israel technology. The scientists working under cotton scheme must develop PBW resistant cotton hybrids/varieties. Popularizations of Indian Forest Service modules in the farmers’ fields are necessary to improve their economic status.

This is the cowpea variety suitable for late kharif and summer season, and is recommended for Southern Transition Zone. It is medium bold, has early vigour with short stature, and is grown well under limited moisture conditions. It matures in 80-85 days, with a yield of 12-13 q/ha.

Annual Review Workshop of KVKs of Zone XI was held at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Mudigere, dist (Chikmagalur) during 14-16 May, 2019. Dr M. K. Naik, VC, during his inaugural address highlighted the role of KVKs in disseminating the technology to the farming community and also the key role of KVKs in food security. Dr Ranadhir Singh, Assistant Director-General (Agriculture. Extension), ICAR, New Delhi, during his valedictory remarks on 16 May, 2019, told that 713 KVKs are catering to the needs of farmers in the country. He expressed his happiness regarding the role of KVKs in implementation of Pradhan Manthri Phasal Bima Yojana and Sankalpa Siddi Programme. He also told that India has achieved the pulse production of 24 million tones due to intervention of KVKs through National Food Security Mission. He also explained about VATICA, NARI and ARYA programmes. He urged the Heads of KVKs to make KVKs as ‘One-Stop Solution’ by maintaining proper database, identifying the gap and bridge the gap with suitable technological interventions. He also insisted on giving importance to Digital Agriculture. He also laid the foundation stone for new administrative building of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Mudigere, dist (Chikmagalur). Dr S. Rajendra Prasad, VC, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangaluru, was the chief guest. He told that the KVK should be a linking agency with other sectors apart from delivering regular mandates. During this occasion other dignitaries, viz. Dr M. J. Chandregowda, Director of ICAR-Atari, Zone XI, Bengaluru; Scientists of the ICAR-Atari, Bangaluru, special invitees from the ICAR institutes and Director of Extension of farm universities, besides Senior Scientists and Heads of different KVKs of Karnataka, Kerala and Lakshadweep were present.

The PG Research Conference 2019 was organized at University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga on 20 May, 2019. Dr Narendra Singh Rathore, Deputy Director-General (Agriculture Education.), ICAR, New Delhi inaugurated the conference. Dr C. L. L. Gowda, former Deputy Director-General, ICRISAT, released the compendium of PG research conference. Fourteen Ph.D. students and 95 M.Sc. students of UAHS, Shivamogga presented their research papers. The best research paper awards were also given on this occasion. During the presidential address, Dr M. K. Naik, VC, spoke about the importance of conference and gave advice to the scientists on building up of problem-solving ability.

A Skill Development Training on Small Poultry Farming was organized from 04 Apr - 03 May, 2019 at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Shivamogga for the unemployed rural youths under the financial assistance of Agricultural Skill Council of India. Total 38 resource persons gave technical information on poultry housing, nutrition, diseases, scientific management, marketing, hatchery management, chicken processing and packaging, value addition etc. During this training, hands-on training was also organized for these participants on brooding, feed preparation, egg collection and egg setting in hatchery etc. Total 20 persons participated from different districts of Karnataka.

Skill training programme on Mushroom Production Technology for the rural youth (STRY) was organized during 24-29 June, 2019 at Krishi Vignan Kendra, Shivamogga, in collaboration with MANAGE, (National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management) Hyderabad and SAMETI (South). During the training programme, technical information on mushroom-cultivation technologies for oyster mushroom, milky mushroom and button mushroom; spawn production, technology, value addition of mushroom etc. were given. Total 15 participants joined in the training.

Dr Adhiti K. Bhanotra, Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension, Mumbai Veterinary College was conferred with “Women Extension Scientist Award” and “Best Poster- Presentation Award” for the paper entitled “Documentation and validation of indigenous technical knowledge on animal health care and treatment”. The authors were Dr Adhiti Bhanotra, Miss Jancy Gupta, Shri Manish Sawant and Miss Mrunal Warthi. The paper was presented during the third National Conference of Society for Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension, held on ‘Livestock Development for Societal Needs: Extension and Allied Sectors Initiatives’ ,organized by G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar (Uttarakhand) during 3-5 Apr, 2019.

Dr S. P. Waghmare, Professor, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Akola received the prestigious “Best Teacher Award” for his contribution in teaching, research and extension. The award was given on behalf of Senior Veterinary Foundation, Pune on 26 May, 2019 by Shri Dipak Maisekar, Divisional Commissioner, Pune, (Maharashtra).

Dr V. M. Vaidya received the Best Poster Award (Second Position) during the ‘Zoonoses and Public Health session’ in Sixteenth Annual Symposium of The Indian Association of Veterinary Public Health Specialists and National Conference for the paper entitled “Serodiagnosis of Hydatidosis in Buffaloes by Flow through Assays”. The authors were Dr V. M. Vaidya, A. M. Paturkar, R. J. Zende, S. Sankpal and S. S. Bhave. Dr A. M. Paturkar, VC, MAFSU, and Dr J.P.S. Gill, General Secretary of IAVPHS, as well as other respected members of the IAVPHS presented this award.

Dr D. N. Bajad, Professor, Department of Dairy Chemistry, College of Dairy Technology, Warud (Pusad) was honoured with the Reviewer Excellence Award-2019 for his outstanding contribution to the Asian Journal of Dairy & Food Research (Agricultural Research Communication Centre, Haryana).

Dr Shital Chopde, Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Nutrition, Nagpur Veterinary College, Nagpur was commissioned as Lieutenant on 13 Apr, 2019 after undergoing a rigorous training of 3 months at NCC Officers’ Training Academy, Gwalior. Lt. Shital Chopde joined as Associate NCC Officer at 1 Maharashtra and Remount and Veterinary Squadron NCC, Nagpur. The only NCC unit in Maharashtra Animal & Fishery Sciences University Nagpur, where the training of Horse riding is being imparted to the Senior Division & Senior Wing NCC cadets. This Unit is also playing a key role in shaping the career of cadets and inculcating discipline and patriotism in them.

New Delhi on 16 July, 2019. Dr A.S. Dhawan, Vice-Chancellor; Dr D P Waskar, Director of Research; and Dr. B. V Asewar, team leader of the scientists of AICRP for Dryland Research Project, received the coveted award. Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare was President of the award ceremony. The Union Ministers of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Parshottam Rupala and Shri Kailash Choudhary, along with Shri B.D. Sharma, Member of Parliament, and Dr Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & DG (ICAR) were present during the occasion

The research centre was conferred with this award for its commendable scientific contributions made in dryland agriculture. The project on ‘Development of climate resilient technology to cope with drought situations in Marathwada region of Maharashtra’ was executed at the AICRP for Dryland Agriculture, Parbhani (main centre) and at three villages of Parbhani districts in about 1250 farmer’s fields through participatory mode. Fourteen out of 19 technologies entered into the university package. Further, these technologies were adopted by the Government of Maharashtra in its flagship programme on Jalyukta Shiwar and Project on ‘Climate- Resilient Agriculture’. The dryland technologies like farm pond, open well and bore well-recharging technology, conservation furrow, broad bed and furrow (BBF), tied ridging, intercropping, contingency crop planning and stress management practices were implemented on farmer fields. The weather forecasting and the agro advisory were timely provided to the farmers of the National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture-adopted village. Custom-hiring centres were established. Further, the centre is imparting training to the officials of the State Department of Agriculture, and line department, KVKs, NGOs, Agricultural Technology Management Agency officials as well as farmers. The centre is playing a key role in providing technical inputs to the mission mode projects like Dryland Farming Mission and Project on Climate Resilient Agriculture of Government of Maharashtra for drought proofing of Marathwada region. The team of scientists of AICRP for Dryland Research Station includes Dr B.V. Asewar, Dr Madan Penke, Dr Surendra Choulwar, Dr Anil Gore, Dr Megha Jagtap, Dr Ganesh Gaikwad, Dr Papita Gourkhede, Dr Ravindra Chary of CRIDA, Hyderabad were recipients of the award.