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 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, 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.

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.

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".

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 (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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

‘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.

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.

(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.

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.

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.)

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

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.

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.

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.

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 (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.

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.

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.

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.

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'.

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.

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:

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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

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 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. 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.

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.