Volume 20-A
March - June 2020
 

ADVISORY BOARD

Dr B.S. Dhillon,
President
Dr S.K. Patil,
Vice-President
Prof. (Dr) R.K. Singh,
Secretary-General
Dr M. Premjit Singh,
Treasurer
Dr Nazeer Ahmed,
Member
Dr K.P. Vishwanatha,
Member
Dr Ajoy Kumar Singh,
Member

EDITORIAL BOARD

Dr Kirti Singh
Ex-Chairman, ASRB
Dr R.P. Singh
Executive-Secretary, IAUA
Dr C.S. Chakrabarti
Ex-President, IAUA (2013)& Ex-VC, WBUAFS, Kolkata
Dr Ramendra Singh
Ex-Chief Agronomist, FAI
Dr Aruna T. Kumar
Ex-Editor (English), ICAR
Response on Working of Universities
DURING COVID-19: LOCKDOWN PERIOD

Events and Achievements

Central University

 

ANAND AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, ANAND

 

General Precautions

Students using mask while going
The educational activities in the present Anand Agricultural University was started way back in 1947 as a dream of our great leaders Iron Man Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Shri Kanayalal Munshi. Since then education for human resource development, multidisciplinary researches and technology transfer through extension activities, has never stopped in this historic university. At present there are seven Colleges, seventeen Research Centers and six Extension Education Institutes working in nine districts of middle Gujarat under AAU.
 
Masks pack given to road side people
In the difficult times of corona virus COVID-19 pandemic, which now has become a global health crisis and the greatest challenge for human beings since Second World War, Anand Agricultural University has not stopped its elementary professions i.e. education, research and extension. Since agriculture is a very important and essential profession in which time bound operations are needed, hence in the university all there search farms were kept operational with limited staff with utmost personal hygiene and required social distancing. Our teachers and scientist have made their constant efforts to stay harmonized with students even by working from home. Numerous online tutorials/ lectures were delivered to the students through various online tools, so that very important time of students does not waste and the same could be utilized for effective learning. In this tough time, many scientists of the university actively participated in on-line conferences, workshops, certificate courses, webinars, technical discussions and brain storming sessions, which ultimately a recognition to the University. Some of the important activities carried out in the colleges and offices of University during lockdown 1.0 to 4.0 are summarized in following sections with few photographs in last.
 

Educational Activities

Teaching Activities in Agricultural, Veterinary and Allied Sciences

Scientists with mask on in the field
As an educational institute, first and foremost, duty of an institution is to educate its students. The faculty educates more than 450 graduate, postgraduate and doctoral students at any given time. While being one of the pioneer institutions in the country for quality education in agricultural and allied sciences and Veterinary sciences, to make up for the lost time of students was one of the concerns the faculty faced during lockdown.
 

 
Woman in the field
This long hiatus would prove a catastrophic gap in the education of the students and with a five-and-a-half-year long course; this gap can prove a significant time to catch up on their education. To ensure students the same quality education, the institution decided to go for online teaching and find out the following solutions:
  • Impartus: https://a.impartus.com/
  • WebEX: https://www.webex.co.in/
  • Zoom: https://zoom.us/
  • WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/
  • Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/
Teachers of the institute developed course materials and presentations to communicate the subject materials to students. The university’s established internet connectivity helped a lot during the process. Professors and other faculty took initiative and even conducted lectures from their home, owing to lockdown situations. The dedication of faculty was to uphold the standards the institute has established. The faculty distributed the recorded lectures and other audio-visual materials by various means of communication. Even social media was used for ensuring continued education. While teaching the students, teachers have tried to get the feedback and address queries of students to satisfy their concerns.
All the teaching materials were compiled for different semesters and were shared through following link.
  • For UG courses: (https://sites.google.com/site/jkparmarsoil/)
  • ICAR e-courses (https://ecourses.icar.gov.in/),
  • Thesis (https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/),
  • E books (https://icar.org.in/e-books),
  • E- journals (http://epubs.icar.org.in/ejournal/)
 
 
The foreign students staying at International Hostel (ICAR funded) were given all the necessary support during lockdown period with parental care by the Dean, Warden and University Officers.

Research Activities

Scientists on duty
Research is the imperative part of the AAU since its inception. Research experiments of agricultural and allied sciences need to be run without any hindrances in any condition. So does happened in AAU, and all the essential research activities including departmental experiments, other agency experiments, P.G. students’ experiments, Seed production, maintenance of decade old microbial cultures,
Material being packed
Maintenance of Azolla nurseries, maintenance of crop cafeteria, plant grafting, maintenance of botanical garden, salient operations of tissue culture laboratory, honey bee keeping and extraction and selling of honey, mass multiplication-isolation and spawn production of mushroom, reading and observations of weather parameters, preservation and, DNA isolation etc.,remained operational with partial essential employees taking due care of personal hygiene and followings norms of social distancing.
In this difficult time the Veterinary Clinical Complex remained committed to the animals. Extraordinary efforts were put for affirming the continued health service to animals. Cases of pet animals are frequently being referred to the hospital from all over the Gujarat as well as neighboring states. During this lockdown, the Veterinary Clinical Complex has worked with authorities and ensured pet owners the same quality of treatment they expected from the hospital. While many of the animals could not be brought to the hospital, over-the-phone assistance was provided, including the safety and hygiene measures to be taken during this time.

 
During this lockdown, the Veterinary Clinical Complex treated more than 540 cases including 403 dogs, 14 horses, 51 goats, 15 birds and dozens of other species of animals. More than 25 surgical operations were performed in emergencies. The media also took note of this. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits were provided to the Doctors working at the Veterinary Clinical Complex to ensure their safety during their duty.
Livestock Research Station (LRS) of AAU maintains 340+ cattle. With efficient management and support from whole staff of LRS the farm has not observed any side-effects of lockdown on farm routine. During the lockdown the various farm activities like FMD vaccination of 300 animals, deworming of 300 animals, artificial insemination of 42 animals and calving of 15 animals were attended. The milk production increased by 13.47 percent during lockdown period and more than 700 vermi-compost bags were supplied to university farms.
Livestock farm complex is the heart of institute. The establishment serves as a place for research, trying new technologies, carrying out nutritional requirement calculations and besides all this, serves as a model livestock farm in the country which possesses more than 250 cattle and buffaloes, more than 100 sheep and goats, about a dozen laboratory animals and 2 horses. Providing all these animals regular feed and water and take care of their health is one of the primary tasks of the farm managers. To manage about 400 animals is a challenging job, with lockdown imposed. The workers were less in number due to transport restrictions, feed and fodder could not be managed which was being transported from external sources. In this situation, scientists and manager of the farm took up the task to manage the farm as efficiently as in normal situation, with the limited resources they had available. LFC’s large source of income is selling of milk, and that has been managed efficiently.
Essential activities were carried out at the Poultry Research Station during the period of lockdown. Initially, hatching of eggs already loaded in incubator was carried out and the hatched chicks were sold. Routine vaccinations and medication were done. Feeding, watering as well as cleaning and disinfection of poultry houses were carried out. Daily collection of eggs and appropriate storage of eggs were done. Selling of eggs was also done. Sprinkling of water in the sheds and on the birds along with cold water supply to birds were carried out due to hot environment. Purchase of poultry feed ingredients and manufacturing of various poultry feeds for the research station were carried out.
 
 

Hostel (UG/PG/International)

  • Four girl students were sent to Bhutan on special evacuation flight on 22 April 2020.
  • Rector and Assistant Rector visited hostel regularly to know the health status of hostel residents and arranged all essential items for the international students during lockdown period.
  • Monitoring of Balram PG Boys hostel and Gargi girls’ hostel to taken care of boys and girls students who have stayed in the hostel during lockdown.
  • Cleanliness around the hostels and sanitization of hostel office were made.
  • Online entry marks of even semester for PG Students.
  • Distributed 550 kits of food materials among the farm labors of university.
 

Sanitization Drive

Material being packed
While allowing the employees and faculties of the institute to work during lockdown, ensuring the safety of the employees and the premises was a great matter of concern. The longevity of the virus on inanimate surfaces was explained thoroughly by scientists. This required an extensive individual initiative, and all the faculty of the institute, took up the job of sanitization of all premises with the help of District Department of Health. A Sanitization Tunnel designed in-house by the faculty was installed at Veterinary Clinical Complex, where the animal owners come from different parts of Gujarat, and another at the entry level of the institute.
 

Appreciation

Corona warriors work appreciated
Charotar Horse Society (CHS) Anand, recognized the efforts put in by the Veterinary Clinical Complex staff. While the whole world remains fearful, the doctors of this institution provided their services with utmost care and concern for animals. The society took note of this and appreciated the doctors as "Corona Warriors".
 

 

Humanitarian Services

Dogs clinic open to service
The administration of the university remained sympathetic to the employees and daily wage workers employed at farms and departments of the institution. The entire faculty gathered and decided to help the daily wage workers, and provided ration and other daily household needs.
 

Students' Whereabouts

Students in constent touch
The institute remained in constant touch with the students. Regular updates were taken from students regarding their wellbeing and the conditions in their respective areas, so that effective and efficient resuming of the education can be started, whenever the condition permits. This kind of proactive approach ensured that no student is left out in the process of online education and other administrative information transfer.

Administration and Management

Students in constent touch
Employees and faculties of the University were instructed to develop a schedule where they handle the tasks of their respective department alternatively. This assured that research work and other administrative works are performed with utmost professionalism and there are no major delays in work, including payment of the daily wages and other farm laborers as per the university guidelines.
 

National Service Scheme

The NSS volunteers of the College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry actively participated in various activities during this lockdown period like iGOT learning module registrations, Arogya Setu application and Preparation of Media for COVID-19 Outbreak Awareness. Poster as well as essay writing competitions were held to pay tribute to the selfless corona warriors. Exercise “Yogdan” was organized for COVID-19by NCC in Anand during April and May2020. The students of the CAET, Godhra, actively participated in various activities as well during this period.
They have registered and participated on the iGOT online platform along with the NSS officer and received training related to COVID-19. They have also prepared a motivational video on COVID-19 to boost the moral and helped people to boost up their fight against COVID-19 by posting it on several social media platforms. Students also participated in online awareness campaign through Quiz organized by Sigma Institute of Engineering, Bakrol, Vadodara and received an E-certificate of the same.
 
 

Celebration of World Milk Day

SMC College of Dairy Science and its Alumni Association organized Slogan writing and Cartoon making contests to celebrate 20th World Milk Day on 1 June 2020. Slogans (19) and cartoons (25) were received from present students and alumni of the college. These entries were evaluated by a panel of eminent referees.

World Veterinary Day Celebration

On 25th April, the institute celebrated World Veterinary Day by arranging seminars, lectures, competitions and events every year. This year however, students of the institute showed their best by showing their technological prowess. They took this challenging time, to form a quiz that can help refresh the knowledge of the veterinarians. They made it available to public. More than 1,200 people took the quiz.

Muqabala-e-innovation Competition

Dr Krupa Ramani, Alumni of SMC College of Dairy Science, won the First Position in Muqabala-e-innovation Competition organized by NDDB, Anand on the celebration of World Milk day on 1st June 2020. She developed “Lasgna dessert” recipe in this competition.

Celebration of World Environment day

The final year students (B.Tech.DT) contributed to celebration of world environment. They planted trees at home and shared the photo with Vidya Dairy, where tree plantation work is done every year.

Poster Making Competition

Best poster award earned
Ms Shrushti Makwana, PhD Scholar and Dr Subrota Hati, Assistant Professor from Dairy Microbiology Department, SMC College of Dairy Science, Anand won the Best Poster Award (First Position) on "Food Safety and Hygiene during COVID-19 Pandemic" jointly organised by IDA- Eastern UP and Chapter and Department of Dairy Science & Food Technology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi during 15-16May 2020.

Essay Competition

Dr Subrota Hati, Assistant Professor, Dairy Microbiology Department, SMC College of Dairy Science, Anand won the Essay Writing Competition Award (Third Position) on "Food Safety and Hygiene during COVID-19 Pandemic" Jointly organised by IDA- Eastern UP Chapter and Department of Dairy Science & Food Technology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi during 15-16May 2020.

Social Services

The university has given entire guest house of more than 100 bedding capacity to the district administration, which was used as a quarantine facility center for the suspects of COVID-19. The college of Agricultural Engineering and Technology has played an active role in fighting the pandemic by extending support to the local administration by providing the 280student capacity hostel for creating a district level quarantine center.
Further, AAU officers, teachers and staff also extended one day salary in CM relief Fund (for COVID-19), Government of Gujarat Rs2,131,270and retired pensioner faculties also extended support of Rs 6, 93,000.
 

 

ASSAM AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY,JORHAT

Corona virus (COVID-19 ) pandemic

Face Mask production in progress
Since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic in the state, education strategy was restructured from in-person to online mode using platforms like Google Class room, Google meet, Microsoft meeting, Zoom, WhatsApp etc., at the Assam Agricultural University. A total of 596 courses encompassing 11,186 students both from
Support to needy farmers by
Vice-Chancellor (I/c)
Under Graduate and Post Graduate streams were completed by 15 April2020. The University is taking utmost care to minimize the academic losses due to the pandemic and in order to ensure it a Strategic plan to compensate losses was prepared and submitted to the concerned authority of Government of Assam.
Distribution of flood tolerant rice
varieties
Besides creating teaching ambience for the students, the University also gave advisories along with support for maintaining hygiene to farmers and other stakeholders to face the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic. In its fight against the crisis,
Sanitization at entry point
the teachers and employees of the University have contributed one-day salary amounting to Rs. 5,250,000 to Assam Arogya Nidhi.
 
The University, through its research network of 6 Regional Agricultural Research Stations and 5 commodity Research Centres provided advisories (GKMS/portal services/agro-advisory services, etc.) regarding precautionary measures to be taken at personal and community level like personal hygiene, social distancing, frequent washing/cleaning of hands with soap/sanitizer, compulsory use of mask while going out for essential work and during agricultural operations to prevent spread of COVID-19 virus covering 31,654 farmers.
 
 
In extension front, the University through its extension networks of 23 KVKs spread across the state have been contributing immensely benefitting 65,155 farmers and 55 different advisories have got coverage in print, electronic and social media across the state reaching more than 290,571 farmers.
 
Besides supporting, strengthening and enhancing the uptake of response provided by the University to different communities, SCS College of Agriculture based at Dhubri under the University organized a national conference on Women Empowerment through Entrepreneurship and Skill Development sponsored by National Commission for Women, New Delhi on 7 March 2020. Participants (182) comprising teachers, scientists, research scholars, women activists, women entrepreneurs and students from Assam and the neighbouring states attended the conference.
Sanitization activities in the University
Ad-hoc research projects viz.,"Detection of a mushroom toxin using nano-particle based sensor” and “Integrated Development of Turmeric Sector in North Eastern and Bundelkhand Region through sustainable Technological Interventions for improvement of Productivity, Quality and Post-harvest processing technology under Good Agricultural Practices and organic production system" with a financial involvement of Rs 30.87 and Rs129.06 lakh, respectively, funded by Department of Biotechnology, Government of India were also received during this period. The Assam Agricultural University and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Geographical Indication (GI) registration for three local crops – KhamtiLahi rice, Tawang maize and Adi ginger (Kekir).

BANDA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY, BANDA

Stay Fit and Healthy

The Department of Basic and Social Science, College of Horticulture, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda organized a National Webinar on ‘Stay Fit and Healthy: The Mantra to Challenge COVID-19 ’ on 02 -03June2020. The event was organized to share the knowledge of the experts to provide the essential information on fitness and health during and after COVID-19 pandemic. The programme was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Dr U.S. Gautam, Vice-Chancellor, BUAT, Banda. He addressed the participants as well as resource persons and emphasized on the importance of Ayurveda, Yoga and Fitness on the life of individual, which should be adopted by one and all irrespective of age, gender, ill, healthy human being and community in this crucial time. Total five resource persons from different esteemed institutes were invited in the webinar and nearly 110 participants from the 10 different states, attended the webinar.
On the first day Dr Supriyo Mondal, Assistant Professor and HoD, Physical Education, Midnapore College, Vidyasagar University delivered his lecture on ‘Fitness: The Mantra to Challenge COVID-19’. The second speaker of the day was Dr Prashant Mishra, Ayurvedic Physician, Medical Officer SAS Ayurvedic Medical College Varanasi and Former Senior Doctor, Patanjali. Dr Mishra delivered a very fruitful lecture on Ayurveda: The Mantra to Challenge COVID-19 ’. On the second day of the webinar total three sessions were conducted. In the first session Dr Mahesh Sawata Khetmalis, Associate Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Visva- Bharati, Santiniketan (West Bengal) delivered e- lecture on Home Fitness and Fitness as Life style’ with live demonstration to make aware the participants about home fitness to boost their immunity and their fitness level.

 
Mr Hemendra Kumar, Fitness Expert, Hyderabad and Mr Sandeep Mayanglambam, Yoga Expert also delivered their lecture on fitness tips and exercise with different equipments and Yoga and Pranayam, respectively, on second day. The webinar was concluded by Prof. S.V. Dwivedi, Chairman of the webinar and Dean, College of Horticulture. On this occasion Dr G.S. Panwar, Registrar, Dr Sanjeev Kumar, Associate Dean, College of Forestry, Dr B.K. Singh, Director Administration and Monitoring, Dr A. C. Mishra, HoD, DB&SS, Dr Vishal Chughand Dr Abhishek Kumar Yadav, Organising Secretary, along with other officials of the university were present.
 

CHAUDHARY CHARAN SINGH HARYANA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, HISAR

International Students Sansitized

In Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCS HAU), there are two international hostels–one each for boys and girls. There are 31 students at the boy’s hostel and 29 in the girl’s hostel. The university administration has asked students not to leave the country till further orders. A team of medical personnel had conducted health checks and held awareness camps in hostels and on the university campus. “Most facilities are available on the campus hospital. We have also developed an isolation ward for suspected cases. No student has exhibited symptoms typical of corona virus so far,” Prof. Singh said. Students have been asked to avoid shaking hands and told to use masks and hand sanitizers. CCS HAU Vice-Chancellor Prof. K.P. Singh held a meeting of officials and said a quick-reaction team will keep a round-the-clock vigil.

One-to-one Counselling Organized for Parents and their Wards in PG Married Hostel

Awareness Camp in International Hostel
Awareness was created about the pandemic of corona virus and directions were given for preventive campaign. The University administration guided students on how to maintain mental peace during lock-down, encouraged them to do kriyas, yogas and pranayams regularly, guided students in downloading the Arogya Setu App and provided them the details regarding itsusage. The officials also advised the parents and kids staying in the hostel to restrict their movement in view of COVID-19 infection.
Counseling by University Officials
at PG Married Hostel
Campus Hospital doctors advised the parents to pay special attention to the health of their children and suggested them to have a balanced diet daily. Sanitization is routinely in progress in the university campus and the guidelines issued by Government of Haryana from time to time are being strictly followed.
 

Individual Counselling of Boys and Girls in Hostels

Awareness camp in International
Boy’s Hostel
Prof. K.P. Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University provided guidelines to the university authorities where he advised them to provide continuous online study material to students and for individual counseling of boys and girls in both international hostels.
 
Awareness camp in International
Girl’s Hostel
Accordingly, the counsel-ing was conducted successfully. Senior Medical Officer of University Hospital along with Director Students’ Welfare and Wardens of International Hostel visited both the international hostels. Inspiration was also given by organizing an awareness program against Corona virus.
 
The university officials advised the students to download Aarogya Setu App, and gave them information related to the app. Senior Medical Officer informed the students about how to maintain mental peace during the lockdown and motivated them to do regular exercises, pranayam, yogas and kriyas.
In the hostel of international girl students, Lady Medical Officer learned about their problems and explained them the solutions in detail. Masks were provided to employees who were spraying disinfectant at the Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University’s campus. Masks and gloves were also distributed to cleaning staff, advising social distancing. The guidelines issued from time to time by the Government of India and the Government of Haryana were followed.

Precautionary Guidelines to Farmers during COVID-19

Keeping in mind the rise of the pandemic COVID-19 across the nation government announced further lockdown, which is certainly going to hit the interests of many sectors including agriculture but the human safety is of the utmost priority which reveals the logic of and justifies this lockdown.
Harvesting of rabi crops was initiated and soon it will be on peak and the procurement process officially commences on April 1st in Northern states as farmers sell their cereal produce in designated mandis to the government agencies at minimum support price (MSP). Social distancing during the peak harvest and season of sowing, reaping, garning is a challenge to the marginal and small farmers who have never exercised such practices under such conditions in the past. Looking into the severity of the issue, the University (CCS HAU) issued harvesting related precautionary guidelines for the farmers to follow for their safety.
 

 
Vice-Chancellor of Prof. K.P. Singh said that the suggestions have been given keeping in mind the daily agricultural operations and are also available on the university’s website. In this regard, the university always welcomes suggestions given by scientists, officers, progressive farmers and health department experts. Farmers are also requested to follow the guidelines issued by the government.

VC Interacts with University Officials through Video Conferencing

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. K.P. Singh communicated with all University Officials including OSD, Registrar, SMO, administration of the University Hospital etc. via video conferencing on education, research, extension education and other activities. Prof. K.P Singh instructed Dean, College of Basic sciences and Humanities and Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology to provide students with sufficient online study material to continue with uninterrupted studies.
Prof. K P Singh also interacted with Director Extension Education, Director of Research from University Farm, KVKs and all other concerned controlling officers and instructed that the crops shall be collected by machines, and if needed, by the labour force, given that the administration permits and all other policy guidelines are followed.
The Director of Research, Director Human Resource Management, Directorate of Student Welfare, and SMO, University Hospital were advised to send guidelines and directions to all the students, scientists and other officials who have travelled abroad to obey the requisite guidelines on arrival in the country.
He also advised the Dean, College of Home Science to produce masks for the workers and employees engaged in security, mess and cleaning work. The officers were further advised to obey the directives issued by the Government of India and Government of Haryana and also to direct all co-workers to follow the same.
Discussing further, Prof K P Singh instructed that vegetable produced by Den Dayal Upadhyay Organic Farming Center will be sent to market and sold at a reasonable rate.
Prof. K.P. Singh ensured the health of all employees, officers and comptroller was directed to monitor contract workers including timely payment of salaries.

Free Masks for Families Residing in the University Campus

Girls Student making Masks
Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar has distributed about 300 masks made by the Department of Textiles and Apparel Designing, College of Home Science and so far, thousands of masks have been prepared for distribution. Skilled girl students residing in the university have been provided uninfected material for making masks in their houses and this process of distributing masks will continue. The masks will be distributed free of cost to the families residing at the university to prevent them from getting Corona virus.
 
 
University Vice-Chancellor Prof. K.P. Singh said “It is our responsibility to help one-another explicitly during this sensitive time and to provide every possible help. The religion of humanity is the greatest of all and it is for all of us to protect it”.
In addition to this he assured the students for providing education material through online web portal and online channels and help them face challenges. He also urged to follow the advisory issued by the Government of India and the Government of Haryana.

Free Cotton Cloth Material Distributed for Making Masks

Saina Nehwal Agricultural Technology Training and Education Institute (SNATT&EI) of CCS HAU and Aryan Education Society, Haryana Skill Development Mission (AESHSDM) jointly made 1000 masks to protect and prevent infection of COVID-19 and distributed to Sarpanch/Anganwadi personnel/PHC/Guards and Policemen of nearby villages.
SNATT&EI and AESHSDM with Mask
Material
Cotton cloth material for making masks was provided free of charge by CCS HAU. To make a homagein this yag of social welfare and charity, the Vice- Chancellor of the University, Prof. K.P. Singh has called for cooperation from everyone in thishour of need. Introducing the humanitarian approach, he said that there should be no shortage in providing such facilities at the rural level and wherever possible, the needy, poor, helpless and sick should be helped.

Agricultural Officers’ Workshop through Video Conference

Presentation through Video Conference
Agricultural Officers’ Workshop (Kharif, 2020) was organized on 1 May 2020 through video conference under the Chairmanship of Prof. K. P. Singh, Vice-Chancellor, CCS HAU, Hisar. In this workshop eleven research proposals were presented by the scientists concerned for inclusion in package of practices for kharif crops. On this event, Prof. Singh stressed on the need for better and active participation between the State Government Officers and the University scientists for bringing fruitful results. He also emphasized the need for organizing the AOW regularly so that new recommendations are to be included timely in Package of Practices for the benefit of farming community. In this workshop Sh. Vijay Singh Dahiya, Director General, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of Haryana, Director Extension Education, Dr R. S. Hudda, Director of Research, Dr S. K. Sehrawat, Dr R. K. Jhorar, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering & Technology, Dr Suresh Gehlawat, ADA (Extension),
Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of Haryana, Head of the Departments and scientists of CCS HAU including KVKs, and officers of the line Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Haryana were present at their respective district headquarters to interact and make presentations through video conference at NIC center. The Director General of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of Haryana, Sh. Vijay Singh Dahiya, presided over the function.
 

 

VC Appealed to Download App Arogya Setu

Prof. K.P. Singh, Vice-Chancellor, CCS HAU, Hisar informed that a mobile app called Arogya Setuhas been developed by the National Informatics Center, Government of India. It is a Bluetooth and location based COVID-19 tracker. Arogya Setuis a Sanskrit language meaning 'a bridge of health'.
Vice-Chancellor of CCS HAU, Prof. K.P. Singh has asked all the officers/teachers/scientists/staff/students working in the university that as per the instructions of the Government of India and Haryana all the families of the university compulsorily should download the Arogya Setu app on their mobile and others. Prof. Singh said that the aim of the Arogya Setu App is to enhance the initiative of the Department of Health especially by the Government of India and to provide users of this app with information related to the risks, best practice and relevant advice pertaining to COVID-19 continuously. Motivate people to download this app so that they too can get the latest information related to the risk of corona virus infection.

Cultural, Literary and Artistic Activities Amid COVID- 19

Under the leadership and qualified guidance of Prof. K.P. Singh, Vice Chancellor of CCS HAU, online competitions are being organized in different departments of the university so that during this period of lockdown, the students can retain their talents by promoting educational and cultural activities. The Directorate of Students’ Welfare continues to work for the all-round development of the students. Prof. Singh elaborated that during this difficult time of lockdown, every effort is being made to maintain the normal functioning of the students. The singing and dance competitions are being organized by the faculty of Department of Music and Drama while others have been given the responsibility of Literary Fest 2020 and conducting photography and poster making competitions.

University Contributed Rs 1 crore for Corona Relief Fund

Mr. Manohar Lal presented with a cheque
of Rs. One Crore by VC CCS HAU, Hisar
The Haryana government announced the creation of a Corona Relief Fund to prevent the spread of the global epidemic, corona virus COVID-19 and the management of CCS HAU decided to donate part of their salaries to Corona’s relief funds at a meeting chaired by Professor K.P. Singh VC, CCS HAU, Hisar. Accordingly, Haryana Chief Minister Shri Manohar Lal was presented with a cheque of Rs 1crore towards Haryana Corona Relief Fund by Vice-Chancellor of CCS HAU, Hisar Prof. K.P. Singh in Chandigarh. Under his able guidance, the teaching and non-teaching employees of CCS HAU voluntarily donated the 10 per cent of their one month’s basic salary to Haryana Corona Relief Fund, the cheque of which was handed over to Chief Minister by Prof. K.P. Singh, Vice Chancellor, CCS HAU, Hisar on 23 May 2020. Apart from this, an isolation center at the faculty house and a quarantine centerat the farmers’ hostel have been set up in view of the pandemic.
 
 

New Ideas in Agri Business - Startup Guru Suggested Mantra

In view of the seriousness of the lockdown due toCOVID-19, CCS HAU Vice-Chancellor Prof. K.P. Singh is constantly promoting online workshops and webinars. It is to be known that Agri Startups connecting with Agribusiness Incubation Center (ABIC) is giving new dimensions to its business. He called upon the students and farmers that they can start their new startups in the agricultural sector by joining ABIC so that the young entrepreneurs do not restrict their entrepreneurship but instead promote and spread it more and more in their areas. This type of webinar proves to be employment-oriented and successful for all youth and entrepreneurs.
The Agribusiness Incubation Center set up at HAU is constantly conducting webinars as per the guidelines of the Vice-Chancellor, the recently held webinar on 2-3May 2020 was hosted by eminent Startup Guru Abhishek Tripathi and Business Manager Vikram Sindhu, Finance Manager Manisha Mani, and Customer Care Manager Twinkle Mangal managed it. As the keynote speaker, Startup Guru Tripathi gave the first mantra that no business can be started without thinking and how these ideas originate and transform into business, these points were discussed in a key way. He also told the participants how to prepare business proposal and important points to be kept in view while presenting it before Investor and Agribusiness Incubation Center. He shared many new ideas related to the agri business with the participants. In this webinar, about 200 farmers, young fellows and students along with Nodal Officer of Agribusiness Incubation Center and the entire team of incubation participated in this webinar.

A Touchless Liquid Soap and Water Distributor System

Prof. K.P. Singh VC CCS HAU using
the System
Under the able guidance and leadership of CCS HAU, Vice Chancellor Prof. K.P. Singh, scientists of the College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology developed ‘Tactile Liquid Soap and Water Distributor System’. As one has to touch soap or liquid hand washes and tap water while cleaning hands frequently in public places, where fear and risk of infecting the corona virus remains high. “Keeping in view the situation of today, this system is a very big demand of the times”, Prof. Singh said. He praised this ‘tactile liquid soap and water dispenser system’ for the proper cleaning of the hands and described the use of this method as useful in preventing corona virus infection. He said that such experiments are praiseworthy and appreciated for the security cycle of the country.

Spraying Sanitizeron Vehicles/Offices

Sanitization in office
In view of COVID-19, CCS HAU, as per the instructions of the Government of India and Haryana, is constantly taking care of health of all the officers/ teachers/scientists/ employees working in the university and the students residing in international hostels. According to the guidelines of the Vice-Chancellor Prof. K.P. Singh, the sanitizer was sprayed on four- and two-wheelers during arrival while taking care of all the employees.
 

 
In offices with essential services in the university, in banks, ATMs, field farms, etc., the sanitizer-sprayingis constantly done. Everyday sanitation, health check-up process, one-to-one counseling is conducted by the physicians of the University’s Campus Hospital, giving priority to health of students staying in the international hostels of the university. The security department, under the supervision of the Registrar and Chief Security at all the entrance gates of the university and all the buildings of the university, is getting the staff sanitized and temperature checked by the temperature measuring instrument. This campaign goes on continuously besides the special attention of the cleaning system by the cleaning staff.

VC Showered Flowers on COVID-19 Warriors

VC Prof. K.P. Singh and other Officers
with Covid-19 warriors
Vice-Chancellor of CCS HAU, Prof. K.P. Singh praised COVID-19’s warriors for their unprecedented contribution and while garlanding them advised them to continue the services. After finding Prof. Singh in their midst, they were very happy and they promised their full dedication in the services.
The sanitation workers of the university were praised for their continued services, and flowers were given to them. University physicians and nurses sanitized all the offices of Essential Services, International Hostel, Quarantine Centers maintained by the District Administration, and health check-up every day.

Oral Examination for Students of B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture

Students Participating in Online Oral
Examination through Google Meet
Online oral examination of B.Sc (Hons.) Agriculture final year program of Rural Agricultural Work Experience (RAWE) was conducted through Google meet in Committee Room of Dean, College of Agriculture, CCS HAU, Hisar. Students (181) belonging to 4 years and 6 years of related programs from Agriculture College, Hisar, Agricultural College, Kaul and Bawal as well as the students from all over the state besides Australia and New Zealand appeared in the said examination. This online examination was completed successfully under the guidance given by Vice- Chancellor Prof. K.P. Singh. Dean, College of Agriculture, Dr S.K. Sehrawat, Associate Dean, Dr S.K. Pahuja,Principal, College of Agriculture, Kaul, Dr R.C. Verma, Co-ordinator RAWE, Dr S.K. Thakral and Dr Anil Dhaka; and other faculty also participated in the online oral examination conducted for the students.
 
 

Online Evaluation of Oral Examination of Doctoral Thesis

External Examiner interacting with
the PhD Scholar
In a meeting chaired by CCS HAU, Vice- Chancellor Prof. K.P. Singh, some rational decisions related to education were taken keeping in mind the implications of COVID-19 as well as the future of young scholars. One of which is related to the education and completion of degrees of post-graduates and researchers. Under this, the concerned scholars can get their degree after being evaluated online by external and internal committee.
COVID-19 has affected all walks of life. Education is also an important field among them. Information technology has played an important role in this disaster. With the technologies developed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development and Information Technology, education and propagation of education is being done right from home. Using these techniques, CCS HAU, Hisar is executing its educational activities smoothly. In this series, the classes of post-graduates and researchers are running smoothly through information technology. Apart from this, on the occasion of Technical Day in the university, the oral examination of PhD research scholars was conducted online by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. In which external observers, professors and students were involved. This online process, which went on for almost an hour,was successfully completed without any technical disruption. The Vice-Chancellor Prof. K.P. Singh congratulated and appreciated on successfully conducting this examination by External Observer, Dr Rajendra Prasad, Senior Scientist, IASRI, New Delhi besides Dean, COBS&H and Prof. and Head, Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Prof. Singh’s far-reaching, positive thinking and student welfare interests completed this task. This activity was successfully completed with the help of technical communication.

GURU ANGAD DEV VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY, LUDHIANA

Varsity’s Novel Initiatives on World Veterinary Day

Novel initiatives look
The faculty, staff and students of the College of University celebrated World Veterinary Day (WVD) on 25 April 2020 in a unique manner. Outreach approach using the on-line platforms, was adopted to connect to and involve a large number of students and others in an awareness campaign. University’s Institution Development Programme (IDP), organized Poster Making Competition and Quiz Competition on the international theme of “Environmental Protection for Improving Animal and Human Health”. There was an overwhelming response to the competitions. Top four scorers out of 154 students who enrolled for quiz, were felicitated. In poster competition 16 students participated and Pritam Singh, Ginnee and Purnima won awards while Rupinder Singh Jashandeep Singh, Gurjot Singh and Satnam Singh won in quiz competitions.
 

 

National On-Line Poster Competition

Doctor's make up
To brush up young minds of undergraduate students to understand effects of ongoing COVID – Lockdown on fisheries sector, an on-line national poster making competition entitled “Impact of COVID-19 on Fisheries” was conducted by College of Fisheries of University. It was organised under ICAR’s NAHEP- Institutional Development Plan (IDP). B.F.Sc, students from different Fisheries Colleges across the country, were invited to participate in the event, through wide circulation among various social media tools. An overwhelming response was received from all over India, with 62 entries from 20 universities, showcasing impacts of COVID pandemic on aquaculture activities and industrial breakdown, besides highlighting positive effects of lockdown on natural aquatic resources. All the entries were critically evaluated with respect to presentation, theme, originality and clarity of expression by an expert panel, including fine arts experts and scientists, to select top three posters. Poster submitted by Ishita. J. Bambhaniya of College of Fisheries Science, Veraval, Junagadh Agricultural University was declared First, while posters of Mitila Milind Mirajkar from College of Fisheries, Ratnagiri, Dr Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth and Merin Treesa Varghese from Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Kochi, Kerala were adjudged Second and Third, respectively.

Online Teaching of Students

Online Teaching
Among academic activities teaching was the first priority to fulfill study needs of students during lockdown. University authorities decided to start Online teaching of all the students of different colleges, Veterinary Science Colleges (Ludhiana and Rampura phul), Dairy Science and Technology College, College of Fisheries and College of Animal Biotechnology through Zoom cloud meeting programme. First the trial run was done which was successful and after that the regular teaching as per the finalized schedule/Time Table started from 6 April 2020. The lecture schedule and timetable for the next two months were finalized and students were informed through e-mail and WhatsApp groups through their class In charges. During the trial run, almost cent percent students participated in online classes including NRI and other states students. Students and their parents applauded Vet varsity efforts. The constituent private College, Khalsa College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Amritsar has also been informed to start classes.

Regular Supply Chain of Livestock Products

Feeding Yard Look
The staff of Livestock Farms of University put their best efforts for regular supply of milk, milk products and eggs at doorstep in the combined campus of PAU and GADVASU. To fulfil the nutritional needs of staff they have maintained continuous supply chain during this lockdown. University Livestock Farms are having 750 animals, 200 goats, thousands of poultry birds and also cultivating 120 acres of land for fodder production. During this period of COVID scare it was a challenge to run the farm activities due to shortage of manpower. For managing the farm work round the clock during the current situation of COVID-19 , the work was managed with the minimum possible workforce.
 
 
The workers were well educated about the prevention of disease and are maintaining hygiene and social distancing. They were provided with face masks, and soaps for frequent washing of hands. The faculty contributed money to support the farm-workers. The workers were served with tea at the workplace, and those residing at the farm were served food. Besides, ration packs comprising wheat flour, rice, sugar, tea leaves, oil, salt, spices, pulses, etc. were distributed among the farm-workers to support the food requirements of their family during these difficult times.

War against COVID-19

Covid-19 warriors
GADVASU had stepped in to support and strengthen medical community through offering their services amid crisis of COVID-19 . Ten scientists from GADVASU, Ludhiana were deputed in different Medical colleges of the state to provide COVID-19 diagnostic facilities. The World Health Organisation has recommended two diagnostic tests ‘Genesig Real-Time PCR Coronavirus’ (COVID-19 ) and ‘Cobas SARS-CoV-2 Qualitative’ (assay for use on the cobas® 6800/8800 Systems) for diagnosing this disease. However, the capacity, capability and expertise required to conduct these diagnostic tests is quite limited in the state. These diagnostic tests are ticklish and could not be conducted in many of the medical laboratories operating in the Punjab state. Under such situation and emergency, besides providing two Real-Time PCR testing machines, the Veterinary varsity has also trained medical support staff in conducting these diagnostic tests. GADVASU is equipped with well-established Research labs in the field of Animal Biotechnology, Virology, Cell Culture and Disease Epidemiology. GADVASU have standardised the testing facilities and it routinely undertakes these sophisticated tests for livestock, poultry, and fisheries.

Print and Electronic Media during Lockdown

During lockdown and curfew condition, it was difficult to send authenticated and expert message to the farming fraternity of state, so in this crisis time, print and electronic media were helpful to serve the call. Through print media university spread its messages of online teaching, emergency services and important tips to livestock farmers along with electronic media effectively. Articles entitled ‘Dairy sector conundrum’ and ‘Preparation for pandemic situation’ were overwhelmingly carried by national dailies i.e. The Tribune and The Indian Express. Through electronic media university served all the technical needs of farmers. Fourstations of All India Radio situated in the state accepted the proposal of university to disseminate the expert recommendations through them. All India Radio stations of Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Bathinda and Patiala broadcasted more than 30 telephonic interviews of GADVASU experts on different subjects. WhatsApp and Text messages were sent twice to thrice weekly depending upon the need. Telephonic consultancy was also provided and material was also uploaded on University website in local language for better understanding. Ambassador farmers were also involved for reaching to rural farmers. Even online farmers meetings were also conducted. Farmers’ birds were also processed for deep freezing to be marketed later on when market seems promising. So it was a blend of electronic, print, personnel and PPP mode usage to provide relief to livestock, poultry and fish farmers.

Cost-Effective Hand Sanitizer

Use of sanitizer
Accepting the call to fight corona through “Mission Fateh” of Punjab Government, innovations at Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, in line with the recommendations for routine use of sanitizer during COVID-19 crisis and guidelines of WHO, the University has prepared a cost-effective alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Owing to immediate high demand, hand sanitizers, which were very expensive also, soon went out of stock. It was therefore imperative to develop an effective as well as cost-effective hand sanitizer which can be made locally and is user friendly. GADVASU Hand Sanitizer is only around Rs 120 per 400 ml against Rs 250 to Rs 400 for various commercially available brands. While University product is much low cost, it is equally effective.
 

 

INDIRA GANDHI KRISHI VISHWAVIDYALAYA, RAIPUR

Smooth Functioning of University in COVID-19 Era

Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur has a network of 40 Colleges and Research Stations and 27 Krishi Vigyan Kendras in Chhattisgarh state. In the COVID-19 era, university is adopting following measures for smooth functioning of its education, research and extension activities.

Education

1. University conducted online classes through its colleges situated in different parts of the state. All the colleges regularly conducted online classes through online applications.
2. All the course teachers uploaded the notes of all the courses running in all degree programmes in university website.
3. Special software were purchased by the university for online study material and question bank for competitive examination for all the students registered in university. Identification number and passwords provided to all the students.
4. Online Viva Voce examination of Ph.D. and post graduate student thesis were regularly organized through Skype and Google meet.
5. Meeting of Academic council i.e. University highest policy and decision making body was performed by virtual means.
6. A webinar on “Introduction of new web platforms for online study” for all librarians, students, teachers of IGKV and other universities was also performed by University library.
7. Shri Lalit Kumar Sahu, university student developed a unique e-Kitchen mobile app through which he home delivered fresh organic vegetables and fruits to needy persons. He is collecting vegetables and fruitsfrom farmers’ field and home delivery is performed by his team through getting orders in the app.
 

Research

Online research meetings of different AICRPs, other research projects and extension activities of all the centres of university were undertaken by zoom and other online applications.
Monitoring of research projects like data and report submission of various research projects are performed through IGKV Management Information System (IGMIS) website and application.
Various advisories for monsoon and locust control were issued through email, SMS and other apps.
Online interviews of contractual research posts and their results also declared in the COVID-19 era.

Extension

1. Pre-Zonal meetings of all Krishi Vigyan Kendras were conducted by Director Extension and their staff.
Online Ph.D. Thesis Viva Voce
examination
 
Online Ph.D. Thesis Viva Voce
examination
 
 
 
2. Multi location video conference and training of farmers were performed by all Krishi Vigyan Kendras of university.
3. Online queries of farmers and input dealers were answered and their progress uploaded in the SMART KISAN APP developed by university.
 

Finance

All the sanctions, allotment and release of different centers of university are performed through email and IGMIS.

INDIAN VETERINARY RESEARCH INSTITUTE, BAREILLY

Testing Facility for COVID-19 Suspected Human Samples

Testing Lab
A COVID-19 testing facility in the High Security Bio-safety III module located at CADRAD, ICAR-IVRI, Izatnagar, was created. The CADRAD team of trained experts tested 5,130 clinical samples during 16 April 2020 to 30 May 2020 referred by Bareilly District Administration. Moreover, COVID-19 Quarantine Centre was created at LBS International Guest House, IVRI as per the instructions received from District Administration of Bareilly.

Expert Veterinary Support

Experts held support
The veterinary expert support was extended for testing of COVID-19 suspected animal samples in the form of SOP for zoological parks to control COVID-19 transmission to wild animals sent to Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi and Chief wildlife wardens of all states and Union Territories. Queries on COVID-19 control measures and samples to be collected were replied through 28 telephonic advices. Clinical samples of 14 wild animals (monkey-3, leopard-5, tiger-2, elephant-1, bat-2 and wild boar-1) were tested for COVID-19, however, all of them tested negative, while cadavers of 14 COVID-19 suspected wild animals (monkey-5, leopard-4, tiger-1, bat-2 and wild boar-1) were examined by postmortem.

COVID-19 Advisories for Production of Safe Livestock Products

Safer Livesstock Product Centre
‘Safety of Livestock Products’ was contributed in FSSAI Guidance note on ‘Food Hygiene and Safety Guidelines for Food Business during COVID-19 Pandemic’ and ‘Guidelines for ensuring clean safe milk, meat and egg production and processing amid ongoing COVID-19 pandemic’- to be issued to various stakeholders like producers, processors, retailers and consumers.

COVID-19 Advisories for Stakeholders

Advisories for farmers, meat processors, dairy and poultry industry including marketing, retailing of milk, meat and eggs, hygienic practices to be followed, like correct use of mask, sanitizers etc., were issued. Moreover, 6 videos (3 each in Hindi and English) were uploaded on YouTube channel on COVID-19 and meat safety, COVID-19 and dairy industry, Foot operated water tap and liquid soap dispenser system, These advisories and YouTube videos on COVID19developed by IVRI are available at IVRI home page http://www.ivri.nic.in/. Ablog on ‘COVID19: What can EAS do to support Indian farmers? (https://www.aesanetwork.org/COVID-19-what-can-eas-do-to-support-indian-farmers/)’ published at Agricultural Extension in South Asia (AESA), and a popular article in Kheti magazine was also contributed.

 

COVID-19 Advisories for General Public

“Poultry meat has not been reported to be associated with transmission of COVID19”. Moreover, 16 Advisories were issued to general public by KVK, IVRI on WhatsApp groups (450 farmers), Facebook, Web portal (approximately 20,000 hits) and on radio (Bareilly/Rampur Radio Stations).

Research initiatives

Six collaborative projects onCOVID-19 related areas submitted to different funding agencies (DBT, DST and others). Of these, 4 projects are in collaboration with IIT, Roorkee on ‘SARS-CoV2 virus entry inhibitors targeting molecular interactions between ACE2 receptor and Spike glycoprotein’(Total budget: Rs 20,203,685; ICAR-IVRI, Rs 5,369,320); ‘Discovery of structure-based antivirals against SARS-CoV2 targeting key viral genome replication enzymes (Total budget: Rs 20,203,685; ICAR-IVRI: Rs 5,369,320); Repurposing FDA approved drug molecules targeting host enzymes essential for SARS-CoV-2 genome replication (Total budget: Rs 2,382,072;Rs 825,000 for IVRI); and ‘SARS-CoV-2 glycan shield masking using antiviral lectin’ (Total budget: Rs 2,492,072, Rs 1,612,072 for IVRI) ; one project is with IISER, Kolkata on ‘Assessment of therapeutic potential of Mycobacterium inspired peptide (Coronin 1)-based Fusion inhibitor as adjuncts to cytokines (Type III Interferons) therapy to target emerging respiratory viruses (Total budget: Rs 17,411,000; ICAR-IVRI: Rs 2,188,000), and one project is with IIT, BHU on Development of lateral flow-electrochemical sensor for diagnosis of COVID-19 (Total budget: 11,000,000 approximately).

Scientific publications

Related to COVID-19 include 11 review papers published by IVRI Scientists in collaboration with others in International Journals (cumulative TH Impact Factor-16.75 and cumulative citations- 131), while 4 review papers are under review (cumulative TH Impact Factor-32.18).

On-Line Classes Conducted Regularly

On-line conferencing platforms i.e. Zoom, Google meetings, Cisco and Microsoft Team, were used for conducting regular classes.

Innovative Hand Washing Device

An innovative, cost effective, easy-to-use foot-operated hand washing machine was developed by Er. Harish Yadav and his team at Farm Machinery Section of ICAR-IVRI, Izatnagar. This simple in-house fabricated device functions in any setting having a water supply connection. The left foot paddle can precisely dispense the desired amount of soap on to hands without touching the soap cake or knob of soap dispensing bottle, while the right foot paddle is used to precisely regulate flow of water for washing hands. The device has got 4 distinct advantages for hand washing,
 
 
Cheap device: Foot Operated
(i) it avoids the contact of hands with knob of the tap that may be a source of germs, especially when it is touched by dirty hands, which may facilitate spread of germs on to hands of other people who touch the dirty knob; (ii) it avoids touching soap cake or knob of soap dispensing bottle, which may be a source of infection to others; (iii) it helps to save water and soap; their precise volumes to be used may be easily regulated by right and left foot paddles, respectively; and (iv) it does not require any electrical or battery operated motor, and can function anywhere with a water supply connection. This prototype of technology holds the potential for large scale manufacturing and use.

Routine Protective Measures Followed

These measuresinclude the mass sanitization of offices, hostels, residential areas and buildings; regular use of Arogya Setu App by all staff member; and thermal scanning of staff, contractual staff, and visitors entering the premises of ICAR-IVRI and ICAR-CARI; State Bank of India and its two ATMs;and Post Office by infrared thermal cameras installed on main gate.
 

JUNAGADH AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, JUNAGADH (GUJARAT)

Online Education and Virtual In-plant Training Of UGAnd PG Students

During COVID-19 the College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh is continuing education for UG B.Tech (Agril. Engg.), PG M.Tech (Agril. Engg), and Ph.D. (Agril. Engg.) Programme by using University Website, Google Classroom, Zoom, Google meet and WhatsApp etc. In B.Tech. (Agril. Engg) programme total 32 courses were taught online by college faculty. Under Skill Development Training of 4th Semester B.Tech. (Agril. Engg.) 24 students are taking online / Virtual training in Escorts Training and Development Centre (ETDC), Bengaluru and 67 students in TAFE – Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited, Chennai. At College level the college faculty is running different Experiential Learning programme online , where 6th and 8th Semester B.Tech (Agril. Engg.)
 

 
students are undergoing their in-plant training. In M.Tech (Agril. Engg.) and Ph.D. programme total 32 courses were taught online by college faculty. In nut cell the under graduate and post graduate including Ph.D. programmes were continued online using Internet facilities during COVID-19 and students will be utilizing their time at home and their academic session may not be delayed.

College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry

Dr. M L Madan
COVID-19 caused cascading impacts on the education of students and activities of educational institutes. The time is crucial but is limited and valuable to act to overcome the corona virus consequences. In COVID-19, online teaching has become a necessity though it never matches physical room teaching.
Dr. A K Gahlot
The outbreak of coronavirus has reminded us that change is inevitable. To tackle this situation College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, JAU, Junagadh, took initiative for online education and arranged guest lectures (via Zoom Meeting) under the aegis of
VC and Registrar
Institutional Development Plan (IDP), ICAR funded by the World Bank as well as conducted online teaching to the undergraduates during nationwide lockdown to engage the students.
Dr. Lenin Bhatt
Four guest lectures were given by eminent scientists and renowned people from the veterinary field. Total number of 330 students attended the lectures and discussed their queries after each lecture.
Further, overall,532 online lectures were conducted through zoom meeting app, Google classroom, WhatsApp, YouTube etc. for undergraduates during lockdown period.
 
 

College of Fisheries Science,Veraval

The College of Fisheries Science, JAU, Veraval under the flagship programme of NAHEP-IDP for JAU organized Virtual Training programme on “Emerging trends and multidimensional strategies for sustainable fisheries sector in post-COVID-19 era”from 09 April 2020 to 02 May 2020.Eminent experts conducted 26 lectures on different topic through the ZOOM App. This training programme was intended to generate awareness among the UG students of second, fourth and sixth semester B.F.Sc. about the current
Dr. Ninan Jacob
Virtual training organized
 
organizedsituation of fisheries under COVID-19 and future strategies for further course of action in development of fisheries including aquaculture, fisheries resource management and fish processing technology in the post-COVID-19 era. B.F.Sc. students of second (73 nos.), fourth (54 nos.) and sixth semester (49 nos.) with requisite social and gender considerations attended this training programme.

Student Competitions

Poster drawing competition organized
College of Fisheries Science, JAU, Veraval organized Poster Drawing, Essay Writing and Poetry Writing competitions on the theme “COVID-19 Era: Boon or Bane for Fisheries”, through IDP Cell in collaboration with Students’ Representative Council (Gymkhana) from 13 May 2020 to 20 May 2020. B.F.Sc. students of second (73 nos.), fourth (54 nos.), sixth semester (49 nos.), and eighth semester (40 nos.) with requisite social and gender considerations participated in these competitions. All the entries are being analysed and winners will be announced by the scrutiny committee.

Challenges, Opportunities and Future of Indian Fisheries

IDP Cell of College of Fisheries Science, JAU, Veraval, is organizing three day National Webinar on “Challenges, Opportunities and the Future of Indian Fisheries Post COVID-19 Era” from 28 May 2020 to 30 May 2020.The webinar was planned to get the benefit of expert views of the eminent personalities of fisheries sector on a single platform for our UG students of all four semesters.
 

 

KAMDHENU UNIVERSITY, GUJARAT

Activities During COVID-19

Online webinar
Animal husbandry is emerging as a separate economic sector considering its contribution to the Indian economy; however, it is still related with agricultural sector on various platforms. The economic aspects of animal husbandry depend on animal health and production where veterinarians play a crucial role. Veterinarians are essential service providers and work tirelessly at veterinary polyclinics, hospitals and mobile veterinary units governed by State Animal Husbandry departments; private clinics and also in veterinary hospitals of educational institutes under veterinary and agricultural universities. One important aspect associated with this service is propinquity of veterinarians to different animals which can lead to accidental transmission of zoonotic infections. Therefore, utmost care is required to be taken while treating cases of all animal species. Despite such risk factors, veterinarians continued to serve the society during COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 appears to leave variable impacts on the veterinary profession. Medicinal treatment or surgical management of cases brought and/or referred to veterinary hospital is a common practice; however, the COVID-19 pandemic has also created an opportunity to practice Telemedicine. The use of telemedicine resulted in effective outcomes especially for mild cases (e.g., alopecia/coat shedding in dogs, minor injuries etc.). This practice also encourages tele-guidance by veterinary practitioners and academicians by communicating with [A] distant professional colleagues regarding veterinary care in clinical cases at their respective place of work (e.g., veterinary academicians can provide guidance to junior veterinarians regarding treatment of sick wild animals in protected areas and zoos); [B] para-veterinary professionals for primary veterinary care (e.g., guidance to livestock inspectors or veterinary assistants for treatment of minor injuries in stray animals); [C] students and their parents regarding education in veterinary science (e.g., admission to veterinary colleges and para-veterinary teaching institutes) etc.
The veterinary hospital functional under the Postgraduate Institute of Veterinary Education and Research (PGIVER), Kamdhenu University is located at Rajpur (Nava) of Himmatnagar, Gujarat, and is providing free services since its inception in April2018. Noticeably, the nation-wide lockdown measures were implemented in India after 23March 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, the frequency of case registration at hospital was expected to decrease due to strict implementation of lockdown in nearby villages, restricted movement of people and cooperation of villagers with government authorities to prevent transmission of COVID-19.
 
 
Besides, management of emergency cases at hospital by staff on requirement-basis, emphasis was also placed on use of telemedicine for veterinary services. Common social media platforms (such as WhatsApp, phone calls etc.) were used for more than 135 times for telemedicine under different categories of veterinary services from 23 March to 28May 2020. It is noteworthy that use of telemedicine in veterinary practice during COVID-19 pandemic time has resulted in benefits such as improvement of clinical status in mild cases without patients’ visit to hospital, reducing contact between animal owners and veterinarians or staff of hospital, prevention of economic loss associated with travelling to veterinary hospital for mild cases etc. It is concluded that telemedicine should be encouraged as a routine practice at veterinary hospitals.
 

KERALA VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY, WAYANAD

University Activities

Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Pookode with its motto ‘Ideas in Action’,took initiatives to strive in the field of teaching, research and extension with an ultimate aim of serving the target group (grass-root farmers and general public) through animal welfare and public health amidst the time of COVID-19 pandemic. KVASU and its constituent colleges have taken all efforts to keep up its standards at par with the mandates in imparting quality teaching, research and extension.

Academics

KVASU has taken adequate steps to switch over undergraduate and post graduate classes to online mode during the pandemic crisis and to checking the lockdown from hampering the conduct of academic curriculum. Initially,zoom platform was utilised but then shifted to Google meet, Cisco WebEx, My Own Conference and Google classroom, because of the security concerns raised for Zoom. In order to ensure student participation and to avail feedback, the faculty concerned created separate groups for each subject on WhatsApp platform for discussion on the subject related matters. Pre-recorded audio-visual lectures are also being circulated. Live as well as recorded sessions are followed by short assignments to the students, which are assessed to understand the effectiveness of a class and required clarifications in this regard. The daily academic activities are accessed daily which helps in estimation of the time required in completing the syllabus and management of classes for the on-going semester. Arrangements were made for the registration of pending semesters of all regular programmes under undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes. Hence, the colleges under KVASU follow classes as per semester schedule. The internship programme of BVSc & AH that was temporarily discontinued due to lockdown was restarted and completed in the fourth week of May.

Research

The facilities available with KVASU were offered for improving the diagnosis of COVID-19 ; consequently, one real-time PCR machine available with the Central Instruments Laboratory at CVAS, Mannuthy, was relocated to Government Medical College, Thrissur to hasten the diagnostics. Moreover, during this period, two need-based research projects in collaboration with Kerala University of Health Sciences were submitted to various funding agencies to probe into the occurrence of the virus among bats of the state and to assess the genetic influence of host resistance to the disease.
 

 

Extension

KVASU took all adequate steps in creating public health awareness during COVID pandemic. The faculty, have formulated guidelines in bilingual (English/Malayalam) version which was published in dailies to avoid misinformation on the use of animal produce during this period. A general advisory was prepared and issued to all the farms and Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex associated with the University regarding the precautions to be adopted for preventing the spread of COVID. Additionally, as a part of ‘Break the Chain’ campaign of the government, hand sanitizers prepared in various departments and units were provided at all the entry points of the college. Security personnel serving at the entry points were given instructions to provide sanitizers to visitors. The hostels of the University were handed over to the district authorities for quarantine of COVID suspected public.
Hospital service during
COVID pandemic
The faculty also made efforts to conduct public health awareness by radio talks and popular articles in leading dailies. Besides, NSS volunteers of KVASU through health authorities has conducted a door-to-door awareness campaign on the hygienic practices to be adopted, and distributed awareness pamphlets and leaflets prepared by the Kerala University of Health Sciences.
Online classes and activities
Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Pookode through the Directorate of Entrepreneurship is organised a one month long “Farmer friendly online lecture series” from 3 to 30 June 2020. The series, emphasising a disaster management in the current prevailing global situation, will focus and cover all the topics of urgent necessity and utmost importance regarding how to maintain the health of farm and domestic animals stable, especially in the COVID-panic struck society, which also expects a probable flood during the ensuing monsoon in Kerala. The programme envisages a series of lectures spread over one month covering all topics under the subject. This farmer- scientist interface aims at making the online platform as user-friendly as possible, helping farmers to clear their doubts on various management and clinical aspects directly from the experts of the University, so that mental health of farmers are also maintained free of apprehension in addition to ensuring the well-being of their farm and companion animals.
 
 
All essential services (veterinary, farms and feed, sale of livestock and its products) were continued during the period through various stations of KVASU ensuring all precautions to prevent spread of COVID-19 to cater the public demands.

Student welfare

NCC cadets of 1(K) R&V squadron attached to CVAS, Mannuthy, successfully completed COVID-19 training programme conducted by the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India.
A WhatsApp platform was initiated for undertaking constructive group activities of all students to engage them socially. Further, an online inter-collegiate competition (cultural, literary and academic) were conducted through this platform named 'Dhisha'.
 

MAHARASHTRA ANIMAL AND FISHERY SCIENCES UNIVERSITY, NAGPUR

Sample Testing Laboratory Inaugurated at University

Prof. Dr. A. M. Paturkar explaining
about lab at inauguration
ICMR-approved COVID-19 testing laboratory established at Nagpur Veterinary College (NVC) of Maharashtra Animal and Fisheries Science University (MAFSU), started functioning from 16 April 2020. The laboratory was formally inaugurated by Dr Shri Vikas Haribhau Mahatme, Member of Rajya Sabha in the presence of Shri Sunil Chatrapal Kedar, Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, Sports and Youth Welfare and Col. Prof. Dr A. M. Paturkar, Vice-Chancellor, MAFSU, Nagpur. Dr S. P. Chaudhari, Head, Department of Veterinary Public Health, Nagpur Veterinary College, Nagpur is leading the team of Dr Wiqar Khan, Dr Shinde, Dr Kadam, Dr Tembhurne, Dr Shende, Dr Kaore, and the staff of department for this Corona Testing laboratory. On this occasion Dr A. P. Somkuwar, Dean and DI, MAFSU and Associate Dean, Nagpur Veterinary College along with Shri Parate, Registrar, MAFSU, Nagpur and other senior University officials were present maintaining social distancing norms.

University Organized Webinars on COVID- 19 Pandemic

During the lockdown period of pandemic COVID- 19, the Directorate of Extension Education, MAFSU, Nagpur organized a series of webinars through its Facebook page. These webinars have drawn a good response and farmers youth and field veterinarians have been immensely benefited by these online webinars. Under the guidance of Dr P. T. Jadhao, Director, Extension Education, MAFSU, Nagpur, Dr Sariput Landge, Technical Officer, Directorate of Extension Education coordinated the events.
The list of Webinar Conducted by MAFSU, Nagpur is as follows:
 

 
Name of faculty Name of
Department
Topic of
Webinar / Date
Dr P. T. Jadhao
Directorate of Extension Education, MAFSU, Nagpur Primary treatment for some emergency or surgical conditions in farm andpet animals


12.05.2020
Dr A. S. Ranade
Mumbai Veterinary College, Mumbai COVID- 19 and its impact on poultry sector
Dr C.D. Khedkar
College of Dairy Technology Warud, Pusad How to boost immunity by low cost techniques to combat Corona
Dr C.D. Khedkar
College of Dairy Technology Warud, Pusad
M. R. Patil
College of Dairy Technology, Udgir Clean and hygienic practices at dairy farm and milk chilling centres to restrain the spread of COVID-19
 
 
Name of faculty Name of
Department
Topic of
Webinar / Date
Dr Niteen Markandeya
College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Parbhani Gynaeco-clinical examination of large ruminants: An update
Dr P. G. Wasnik
College of Dairy Technology, Warud
Dr S. D. Kalyankar
College of Dairy Technology, Udgir “Can COVID-19 pandemic open the doors to make rural India self reliant”
Dr B. R. Kadam
KNP College of Veterinary Science, Shirwal Nutritional and disease preventive qualities of milk in Marathi
 
Expert Faculty members of Colleges also participated as experts/ panelist in various online webinars organized by various associations like World Veterinary Poultry Association (India), USA Poultry and Egg Export Council and United Soybean Board, Agro-vision Foundation, New Delhi etc. on various important topics like Myths about poultry,Eating Right with Poultry,Impact of COVID19 on Poultry Sector and road ahead,First aid and treatment in birds,Basics of aquarium set-up,Opportunities for vets in Armed Forces, etc.

 

Basics of Small Animal Laparoscopy

Screenshots of online training
programme
A 4-day online certificate course on “Basics of small animal laparoscopy” organised by the Laparoscopy training Centre of Department of Surgery and Radiology, Mumbai Veterinary College was held from 24.05.2020 to 27.05.2020. The programme was inaugurated with online speech of Minister of Animal Husbandry and Pro-Chancellor Shri Sunilji Kedar, Vice Chancellor, programmeMAFSU, Prof. A.M.Paturkar sir, Founder and Ex. VC of MAFSU Dr A.T.Sherikar along with other dignitaries such as Dean and DI Dr A. P. Somkuwar, Director Of Extension Dr P.T. Jadhao, Director of Research Dr N.V. Kurkure, Dean MVC,Dr A S. Ranade and Dr D. B. Patil, Executive secretary, ISVS, DrUddhavraj, Gynecological endo-scopic surgeon and the brain behind the centre. More than 3,000 Delegates joined for this unique training programme from all over India, neighbouring countries as well as from Nigeria, Tanzania, the Netherlands and many other countries.Session consisted of online lectures and Video demonstration by Dr G. S. Khandekar, Professor of Surgery, Training coordinator for this training and PI, RKVY as well as Dr S.D. Tripathi, Assistant Professor and Co-coordinator of the training. Participants were awarded certificates after clearing the online exam.

Activities By Constituent Colleges

Hand washing practice in display
During the period of national lockdown due to COVID-19 ,faculty members of all constituent colleges of MAFSU under took various teaching and extension activities. Online classes of undergraduate and postgraduate students were conducted regularly using different online applications recommended by the University. Students and faculty quizzes were also organized by using google forms. Online meetings of students and faculty were organized for discussing various issues during this situation. To boost up the moral of postgraduate students, presentations pertaining to various soft skills viz. Discovering personality, Goal setting, Interview skills, Writing CV and Resumes etc. were shared through WhatsApp during April and May- 2020. Veterinary clinical services were effectively extended by the Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex (Hospitals) of the colleges during lockdown period.
 
 
Poster display
All the precautions were taken care while treating the animals. A number of advisories were provided to livestock farmers through different social media WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube videos etc. With view to guide the farmers on difficulties faced by them due to ongoing national lockdown, the online workshops arebeing conducted by colleges through Zoom Cloud meeting App. Faculty members answered the participants on queries asked by them through telephone and WhatsApp.
Animal operation on in clinic
YouTube videos on different aspects of animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries were prepared and uploaded on college and University Website for technical advocacy to the livestock farmers/ fish farmers during this situation. Farmers are given guidance about adoption of social distancing, frequent hand wash and use of mask during farm operation. Technical guidelines were provided to farmers about fish farming practices such as fish sampling for fish growth, fish feeding, harvesting etc. on telephone by staff members so as to continue the farm operation without any hurdles. An illustrative video advisory for fish farmers during COVID19 pandemic was published by the College of Fishery Science, Nagpur. The advisory includes guidelines for fish farmers regarding personal hygiene to be maintained on farm and while using farm implements and fish marketing etc. The advisory also consisted of suggestions on activities to be carried out by the fish farmers before ensuing monsoon season such as pond preparation, pre-stock pond management, manuring etc. The pamphlet on the similar aspects was also published by the college for the use of fish farmers and fishermen during the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. Extension literatures on COVID-19 ,viz. digital posters, leaflet, and pamphlet were prepared and disseminated through different social media for creating awareness among the farmers. Audio and video clips on Awareness ofCOVID-19 were prepared and uploaded on University website for generating responsiveness among the farmers and students. Awareness was made amongst people about COVID-19 through Marathi newspaper. Prof. Dr Ajit Ranade, Associate Dean, Mumbai Veterinary College, also, clarified the rumours and doubts about COVID-19 and encouraged people to consume eggs and chicken. Dial Out Live Audio Conferencing in collaboration with Reliance Foundation was organized on Precautionary measures against COVID-19 during farming work and government scheme for farmers in COVID-19 situation for the farmers from District, Nagpur and Bhandara, Maharashtra. Radio and TV talks on Care and management of animals during COVID-19 period, telephonic guidance to the farmers about the misconception of spread of SARS-COV2 through livestock and poultry were also organized. Some faculty members identified the needy persons, migrant labourers without any source of income or food and distributed food items amongst them.
 

 

Deployment Of NCC Cadets

There was a requisition from the office of the Collector, District Disaster Management Authority, Nagpur, to deploy the NCC cadets to ensure social distancing of personnel drawing ration from PDS shops in Nagpur city and also the towns under Nagpur district. As per the request and the guidelines issued by the DG,NCC,IHQ,MOD, on employment of NCC cadets, for EX NCC YOGDAN, in COVID-19 , the cadets of 1(Mah) R & V Sqn, NCC, at Nagpur Veterinary College, Nagpur were motivated to register as volunteers for the noble cause of serving nation in the crisis of COVID19,and 15 boys and 8 girl cadets registered as volunteers. These students were asked to complete the IGOT (Integrated Govt. Online Training) and consent from their parents were obtained. Capt N C Nandeshwarwas given the task by Grp Cdr, Nagpur Grp. to liaise with collector for collection of masks, sanitizer and deployment of cadets at various places in Nagpur city and also towns under Nagpur district. The task was completed for the period of requisition i.e upto 30 April for Nagpur city and up to3 May 2020 for the towns under Nagpur district.
Deployment of NCC cadets in prevention of COVID19
 

Students Activities

NSS volunteers and some students of colleges at their home towns participated in various COVID-19 related activities like distribution of food packages to poor people with help of local police. Regularly feeding to dogs is being done.Collage prepared by NSS Volunteers about ‘Corona Fighters – Stay Home, Stay Safe’ – circulated on social media for awareness of people.
Sagun_Bhatjiwale, student of MVC,
Mumbai treating and feeding stray dogs
A fourth year student from Mumbai Veterinary College @sagun_bhatjiwale was feeding strays from Ram Mandir to Mira Road highway and Aksha, Marve beach areas. He is seen with Inspector Gosalkar, who was part of Bomb squad dog team for
about 15 years and also some children who have worked with him. He was also providing first aid and emergency treatment to these strays and was interviewed by SBS Radio Australia about his experience of feeding and providing treatment to strays in Mumbai region during lockdown.
Distribution of food packages
Student of MVC, Mumbai, Atharv Bhagwat helped some families of the daily wage workers with the help of Ratnagiri Police by distributing 30 food packages. He is also feeding 100+ strays.
 
 

PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, LUDHIANA

Campaign to Create Awareness

AYUSH drinks
Department of Extens-ion Education and Communication Management, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana launched a comprehensive campaign on 16March 2020 to create awareness regarding COVID-19 ; its spread, precautions and issues related to the lockdown. Messages were developed and disseminated using social media. Advisories issued by the government and messages received through AYUSH were translated in vernacular language and disseminated. Awareness was created to prevent misuse of social media to spread misinformation. These messages and advisories were directly disseminated to more than five lakh families through the university social media platform and was intended for further spread through social media. Campaigns also included articles; radio talks broadcasted on All India Radio on different aspects related to COVID-19.

Farm Inputs, a mobile app

Government of Punjab declared the lockdown of all establishments including educational institutions to curtail the spread of COVID-19. In these times of corona virus pandemic, a mobile app was launched by PAU to maintain the supply chain of various farm inputs like seed of various crops and vegetables, fertilizers, etc. for the farmers. Farm Inputs app was also launched for android and iOS during the pandemic COVID-19 . This app acted as a bridge between farmers and sellers (both public and private). Through this app the registered farmers could find the available products and available sellers and place the order according to their requirements. Once the order is placed, it will be reflected
 
to the seller. The seller can accept or reject the order depending upon the feasibility to deliver the order.
 

Online Teaching of UG Students

On-line teaching of all UG and PG courses which were offered during the current semester was immediately started to the students of all the colleges of the university when the lockdown was announced.
For PG student’s online submission of thesis and viva has been initiated.
The ELP Co-ordinators of different disciplines for the final year students of B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture (COA) and B.Sc.(Hons.) Community Science, in consultation with the concerned Head of the Department (HOD) and Dean of the College immediately worked out a strategy for the continuation of on-going ELP work while sitting at home, wherever possible under the guidance of Co-ordinator. Apart from this, the online project assignments were assigned to the students in groups with specific deadlines for submission.
The project assignments for final year students of B.Tech. (Food Technology), B.Tech. (Biotechnology), and B.Sc. Nutrition and Dietetics, based on the data generated by the students, hypothetical data provided by the teachers were finalized, apart from preparation of entrepreneurship projects in their fields.
 

 
College of Agril. Engg & Technology has taken the initiative for provisioning of online summer trainings for B.Tech students and has tied up with reputed companies and centres for these trainings under the Student READY Component of B.Tech course curriculum.

Fabrication of masks, gloves and face shields

Fabrication Unit
As a part of its ongoing initiatives to help stem the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the research associates and students of College of Community Science, designed and developed by using double layered cotton fabric in two variations i.e., with elastic and with strings for employees of the university, farm workers and other persons.

Trainings for Farming Community and Youth

The Skill Development Centre, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana organized the online training on direct seeded rice cultivation for 35 farmers on 13.05.2020. DrMakkhan Singh Bhullar, Principal Agronomist explained the technology of direct seeded rice in detail. DrJasvir Singh spoke about the direct seeded machine in detail. He further explained about how wheat sowing drill or zero drill can be converted to direct seeded machine. The training was very important for farmers due to labour shortage in Punjab.

TAMIL NADU AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, COIMBATORE

Extended Technology Support To Medicos

Vice-Chancellor issued sample testing
kits to ESI, Hospital
As corona virus extends its tentacles among public, Government of Tamil Nadu prepares to wage a war against this deadly disease. In the wake of the crisis, upon guidance of Dr N. Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, the Centre for Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology extended helping hands to the medical team of ESI Hospital, Coimbatore in sampling, testing, preparing and optimizing necessary chemical reagents for sample collection. The center has sophisticated infrastructure and globally competitive expertise in handling RT- PCR (Reverse transcription - Polymerase Chain Reaction) equipment. Doctors and laboratory staff of ESI Hospital, Coimbatore were provided with an introductory training on Real Time RT- PCR technique and operation of the equipment at TNAU’s facility. TNAU also provided a 100 reaction sample testing kits to the hospital for their initial experimentation.
 
 

Remote Teaching for All Post Graduate Programmes

TNAU took afoot among the State Agricultural Universities in the country to provide uninterrupted education for Masters and Doctoral students by initiating Remote teaching programme. After a series of successful demonstrations, Dr N. Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, TNAU, Coimbatore launched the Remote Teaching Programme on 08.04.2020, to teach Post Graduate students of the university, who are now safely staying in their homes spread across ten states of the country besides different districts in Tamil Nadu. Thus, 344 master’s students from 33 disciplines and 172 doctoral scholars from 29 disciplines benefited through this uninterrupted education. Dr J.S. Kennedy, Dean, School of Post Graduate Studies (SPGS), TNAU, Coimbatore took sincere efforts for operationalizing the remote teaching module.
TNAU student presents PhD Defense
virtually
Strictly adhering to the nationwide restrictions to limit gatherings due to the spread of COVID-19 , doctoral student Sneha Patil presented her PhD defence via Microsoft Teams. She presented her defence via a video conference call from her off-campus residence on 12.05.2020. She defended her research before a virtual audience of about 60 people, including advisors, peer groups, co-students and the family.
Doctoral Student presented Virtual
Ph.D defense
Sneha defended her research on Metabolic Response upon streptomycin resistant and sensitive Xanthomonas campestris PV. Vesicatoria in tomato and strategies to mitigate resistance mechanism for disease management. The Vice-Chancellor, DrN.Kumar, while congratulating the Student opined that TNAU took this step of organizing defence of dissertations online by considering the Government’s COVID restriction. Dr J.S.Kennedy, Dean, School of Post Graduate Studies assisted in organizing the programme.

Innovation and Technology Commercialization

Students participated in Webinar series
Twenty-five students participated in the webinar conducted during 08.04.2020 to 14.04.2020 and its sequel webinar was conducted on 25.04.2020. The sessions were aimed to create awareness on managing innovations and technology commercialization by providing successful examples and working with case studies.
 

 
The webinars were moderated by Mr S. Dinesh Kumar, E-YUVA Co-ordinator, Dr R. Rajkumar, M/s. Cellzyme Biotech Pvt. Ltd., Coimbatore, Dr K. Viveka, Innovator, Graduate Research Innovation Program, National University of Singapore, Mr Vijayanand, Assistant General Manager, Macrogen Inc. South Korea, Dr Ramjee Pallela, Chief Operating Officer, Atal Incubation Centre, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad and Dr K. V. Satyanarayana, Associate Vice-President, Sathguru Management Consultants, Hyderabad.

Career Guidance

Webinar Series on Career Guidance
conducted at TNAU
Webinar was conducted with a focus to provide Career guidance to the undergraduate students of Department of Plant Biotechnology, CPMB&B on 13.04.2020. Dr R. Venkatraman, Post-Doctoral Research Associate, National Institute of Health, Maryland, USA explained his career path from being a B.Tech. (Ag. Biotech) graduate, then as a Project associate at IIT Madras followed by Senior research Fellow at TIFR, Mumbai and there on as a fulltime Doctoral research fellow at the Queensland University.
Dr S. Rangarajan, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, McEwen Stem Cell Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada shared his research on Stem cell therapy for Type-I Diabetes and various opportunities for pursuing education abroad and provided tips for writing proposals for securing international grants.
Yet another Webinar with a focus on Business Opportunity Identification and commercialization was jointly organized by E-YUVA and Directorate of Agribusiness Development, TNAU during 22-29 April2020 for the benefit of 65 B. Tech. (Food Technology) students. Different thematic areas such as Business opportunities in food processing, Business opportunity analysis, Mind motivational entrepreneurship, Idea to PoC & approaching grants at early stage, Government support system for food business management, An overview on FSSAI rules and regulations and business model canvas were elaborately deliberated by Dr B. Shridar, Dean (Agrl. Engg.), Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute, Dr S.D. Sivakumar, Director, Agri Business Development, Dr Ravi Kumar Theodore, Professor & Head, Training Division, DEE, Mr Vijay Nadiminti, COO, a-idea, NAARM, Hyderabad, Mr Deepak Rajmohan, Founder & CEO, Green Pod Labs, Chennai, Mr A.V. Gnanasambandam, CEO, ABIS, DABD, MrSurendran, Technical Officer, FSSAI Regional Office, Chennai, Mr P. Sivakumar, CEO, MABIF and Mr S. Dinesh Kumar, E-YUVA coordinator.
 
 

Endowment Lecture Online

Circumventing the crisis of COVID-19 pandemic, the 15th lecture in series Breeding rice varieties for salt-tolerance was delivered online on 17.04.2020 by Dr Rakesh Kumar Singh, Program Leader and Principal Scientist (Plant Breeding), Crop Diversification and Genetics Section, International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), Dubai using Microsoft Teams platform. Faculty members of TNAU and 367 Post Graduate students participated. Dr S. Geetha, Director, Centre for Plant Breeding and Genetics, welcomed the online gathering. DrJ.S.Kennedy, Dean, School of Post Graduate Studies delivered the introductory remarks.
Endowment Lecture conducted online
Dr N.Kumar, Vice-Chancellor specified the existence of salt-tolerant plants (halophytes) and differences in salt tolerance between genotypes. The guest speaker Dr Rakesh Kumar Singh, delivered the endowment lecture. Dr N. Meenakshi Ganesan, Professor and Head, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics proposed the formal vote of thanks.
 

Multi-location Audio Conference Programme by KVK

Multi-location Audio conference programme was organized by KVK, Vamban, Pudukkottai with Reliance foundation on 06.05.2020. Dr M.R. Latha, Programme Coordinator, KVK, Vamban briefed about the FPG technically supported by KVK and urged the farmers for group formation to avail the benefits of various schemes. Mrs S. Jayashree, DDM, NABARD, Pudukkottai gave the steps for formation of FPOs and schemes operated by Central and State Governments through banking sectors. Thiru R.M. Sivakumar, Deputy Director (Marketing) shared the information on the activities of FPO, storage facilities for agricultural produce during the lockdown period.
Multi-location Audio conference
programme
Dr S. Selvam, Professor and Head, Department of Social Sciences, ADAC&RI, Trichy provided the technical guidance on Economic development of FPOs. About 100 farmers from Pudukkottai District participated.
 

Anchored Initiatives to Overcome Corona Crisis

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, a quintessence of excellence in Agricultural Education and Research, came forward to provide multifaceted support to the government and farmers to smoothly sail through corona quandary. Dr N.Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, Tamil
 

 
Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, instructed the scientists to help farmers to the maximum extent possible besides coordinating with the Local district Agriculture and Horticulture officials to overcome the corona crisis.

Linkage to Reach the Unreached

The TNAU has 39 Research Stations, 14 Colleges and 14 KVKs spread across the state of Tamil Nadu.The university identified its scientists in each district and their names and contact details were notified by the Government to work with respective Agriculture Department officials to help farmers in providing technologies.

Preparedness for the Season

Amid abundance of biophobia, the Indian Meteorological Department and TNAU predicted a normal rainfall across the State, and advised that farmers should be prepared to begin the farm activities by June which is just 6 weeks away. Dr K.S. Subramanian, Director of Research has already appealed to the scientists to be prepared for the upcoming season. TNAU research network spread across the State is getting ready to produce sufficient quantities of seeds, planting materials and bioinoculants to meet the requirement in the ensuing cropping season.

Red Alert to Rescue Farming

The Heads of Research Stations and Program Coordinators of KVKs are advised to be at their Headquarters to address the field problems of farmers. The most essential activities such as harvest, processing and animal maintenance in all research stations and colleges are running as per schedule, adopting social distancing, sanitation and prescribed guidelines. Considering the woes of farmers, agriculture has been categorized as an essential service. Farmers are requested to contact the local Heads or Officers in-charge for any help they may require. In many parts of the State, there were summer showers and farmers can undertake summer ploughing as a measure to control weeds, desiccate insect pupae besides conservation of soil moisture techniques. The scientists and researchers were informed to write reviews, papers and books during the work-from-home policy of the Government due to Corona Curfew and as per the stipulated guidelines for social distancing.

TAMIL NADUDR J. JAYALALITHAA FISHERIES UNIVERSITY, NAGAPATTINAM

Activities during COVID-19

As per the advisory of UGC and ICAR the online classes were conducted for the students using standard platforms like Skype, Zoom Meeting, Google Classroom etc.
 
 
The PG and Ph. D research students were advised to continue their research work, which does not involve laboratory equipment. All the staff were advised to work at home till 17.05.2020. From 18 May 2020 onwards the University headquarters, constituent colleges, research centres and KVK are working with 100% faculty and 50% of administrative staff for 6 days per week (Monday to Saturday). The administrative meetings are conducted regularly through Skype. Anti-terrorism Day Pledge was administered among the staff of all campuses on 21.05.2020. KVK, Sikkal distributed 25 kg of GIFT Tilapia to 25 poor families, who are under lockdown in the Sikkal village on 17 May 2020. Farm activities like stocking, feeding, sampling, water quality analysis etc., were carried out to maintain the fish, cattle and live animals. General hygiene practices like use of sanitizers, frequent hand wash, wearing mask, maintaining social distance were strictly followed while at office.
 
Anti-terrorism Day Pledge at TNJFU, Nagapattinam
 
Online Class at FC & RI, Thoothukudi
 
Work at Office of the Registrar,
TNJFU, Nagapattinam
 

 
Glass House Aquarium Maintanance at
FC & RI, Thoothukudi
 
Glass House Aquarium Maintanance at
FC & RI, Thoothukudi
 
Wet Lab Activities at FC & RI,
Thoothukudi
 
Feeding the Fish in Earthen Pond
at FC & RI, Thoothukudi
 
 

UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, RAICHUR

"UASR AGRI WAR ROOM"- A HELPING HAND DURING COVID-19 LOCKDOWN

The imposition of lockdown as a vital measure of social distancing to safeguard the populace of India against COVID-19 pandemic has pushed our farmers to unprecedented harsh situations in Kalyan Karnataka region also. They have become helpless to take any decisions on their own part of agriculture profession and/or livelihood priorities. Even under such grim situation, the University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur has evolved and delivered the soothing measures to farmers facing the difficulties in the region through establishing “Agri War Room” with Toll Free No: 18004250470 at its main campus. The University has been exploring along with the farmers of possible alternative means and platforms to tackle the halting
 
Free distribution of GIFT Tilapia at KVK, Sikkal
 
Work at Office of Controller of
Examination, TNJFU, Nagapattinam
 
Feeding for Koi at FC & RI,
Thoothukudi
 
 

 
 
Feeding in Cage Farming at FC & RI,
Thoothukudi
 
Cage Farming Activities at FC & RI,
Thoothukudi
 
Maintaining Cattle at FC & RI,
Thoothukudi
 
Use of Sanitizer at FC & RI, Mayiladi
 
situations especially in case of perishable fruits and vegetables, and at the same time encouraging them in overcoming their psychological barriers.
 
 
Vice-Chancellor consoling and suggesting
viable solutions to the query
With strong resolve and initiative of Dr K. N. Kattimani, Vice-Chancellor, the “Agri War Room” was formulated and put into service every day (from 21 April to 3 May 2020) and attended by the scientists in batches suitably following lockdown norms. Scientists from different disciplines with co-ordination worked in tandem daily from 8:00AM to 8:00PM to provide tangible solutions to farmers under the distress conditions. More than 200 farmers
Encouraging Corona warriors (Police
Personnel) by quenching their thirst
and exertion
approached “Agri War Room” seeking breakthrough in the situations pertaining to marketing of produce(65-70% cases) followed by timely operations to be undertaken under on-going cropping periods (25-30%).The University facilitated individual farmers and FPOs by providing conveyance to them through “Ratha Grahaka Sethu” to reach out destinations successfully and market 600 odd tonnes of their fruits and vegetables.
Vibal marketing awareness
Interestingly, University was able to convince District Administrations and APMCs of both Raichur and Haveri Districts to market 291 tonnes of ripe chilli at Byadagi APMC,which brought smile on faces of 16 farmers of Jekkaladinni village of Raichur District. Even local fishermen of Raichur District who approached Agri War Room could be able to market swiftly about 14 tonnes of shrimps (local fish) to the appropriate destinations in Mangalore District.
 
Young enterpreneur being awarded
During the lockdown period, the University with its vast networks it maintains with farmers and agri business communities, facilitated to find viable marketing opportunities among buyers and sellers namely, Paddy growers-Rice Mills, Cotton growers-Jinning Mills, Pulse growers-Dal Mills, Oilseed growers-Oil Mills within its jurisdiction of six Districts to achieve win-win situations amidst deep distress. Ina vital attempt, University could contact Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru to make quick avenues to market Jasmin flowers expeditiously belonging to 250 odd flower growers of the region.
 

 
The young entrepreneurs (85 Nos.) were made available with "Green Card" and helping them to convey and market the produce through their mobile vans by convincing District Administration.
Apart from helping farmers via“Agri War Room”, seven Krishi Vigyan Kendras and six Agricultural Extension Education Centres were also engaged in facilitating buyers for the farmers within their jurisdiction in marketing their agricultural produce. The Horticulture Club of the University initiated and bridged the gap between procurement and marketing of fruits and vegetables through linking buyers and consumers on established online platform.
The Teaching & Non-Teaching Associations of the University extended the moral support by providing fruits (watermelon) to Police Personnel of Raichur City, the warriors of COVID-19 . These Associations have shown their commitment in this epic fight and contributed their one-day salary amounting Rs2,290,651 (Rupees Twenty-two lakh ninety thousand six hundred fifty-one only) towards“Chief Minister’s Relief Fund [COVID-19]” and Vice-Chancellor, Dr K. N. Kattimani submitted the cheque on 7 May2020 to the Minister for Agriculture, Government of Karnataka.
Apart from these business activities, University with its capacity and its wider networks amongst farmers has been all along appealing to all citizens and farming community through electronic media including WhatsApp, Facebook and SMS platforms to adhere the mandatory and essential health care guidelines and tips.