Accomplishments
Research work in crop improvement has led to the development and release of 75 high yielding varieties of 17 crops. Of these, 45 have been released at state level for Uttaranchal state, 28 for the North Western Himalayan states (the mandate area of the institute) while 2 at national level for regions beyond the mandate area.
In addition, the Division is set to achieve two more national releases as these have already been identified by ICAR’s Varietal Identification Committee. These are, VL Gehun 832 for high altitude areas of Northern Hill Zone and VL Garlic 7 for Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Punjab. The most important accomplishments are listed hereunder:
Release of first hybrid maize variety VL 54 in the country.
Release of first hybrid onion variety in the country VL 67 for Uttaranchal and plains.
Combining winter and spring wheat genes to develop and release first early sown dual purpose facultative variety VL Gehun 616 in the country for hills.
Release of first awnless wheat variety VL Gehun 738 in the country offering protection against hail storm damage at the time of harvest in hills.
Release of first ever extra-early dual purpose (grain and baby corn) double cross maize hybrid variety VL Makka 42 at national level.
Release of first extra-early double top cross maize hybrid variety Him 129 at national level.
Release of VL Mandua 149, a blast resistant variety of finger millet across the country.
Release of spring rice variety VL Dhan 206, which has replaced local cultivars in substantial area in Uttaranchal.
First short duration direct seeded rice variety, VL Dhan 221 for double cropping under rainfed upland June-sown conditions in hills of Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh.
Higher income generation by crop diversification through release of soybean variety of VL Soya 2 in hills.
Release of two high value crop varieties VL Rajma 63 in rajmash and VL Bauni Bean 1 in French bean which have gained popularity over a wide range of environments in hills and plains.
Short duration garden pea variety, VL Ageti Matar 7 suitable for hills as well as plains as a better alternative by virtue of its being 5-7 days earlier and 10-15% higher yielder than Arkel.
First open pollinated synthetic onion variety VL Piaz 3 for Uttaranchal.
First released variety of buckwheat, VL Ugal 7 for Uttaranchal.
More than 865 q truthfully-labelled seed has been produced during 1986 to
2002.
In addition, about 1720 q breeder and 115 q nucleus seed of various improved
varieties were produced during 1986-2002. As a result, high yielding varieties
such as VL Gehun 616 and VL Gehun 738 in wheat, VL Makka 16 and VL Makka 42
in maize, VL Dhan 206 and VL Dhan 221 in rice, VL
Soya 2 and VL Soya 21 in soybean, VL Ageti Matar 7 in garden pea have become popular in several
states of the country, particularly in Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim
, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
More than 6,000 native and exotic collections of 23 different field crops
have been evaluated and these have been utilized directly and indirectly in different
crop improvement programmes. As a
result, 19 varieties in 11 crops have been developed by direct use of native and
exotic germplasm while other four varieties have been developed through
recombination breeding.
Fundamental physiological research, undertaken in the beginning, indicated that vernalization induced the activity of various enzymes, e.g., diastase, catalase and amylase, enhanced the level of protein and IAA, induced early flowering and enhance yield in wheat, mustard and barley.
The research work on applied plant physiology revealed that bolting in onion can be reduced by soaking of the seedlings in borax and vernalization can be successfully used for inducing synchronization in flowering. Application of ZnSO4 in maize, MgSO4 in soybean and borax in pea increase their grain yield significantly. The foliar spray of salicylic acid alone or in combination with phytohormones, such as NAA, GA and etheral, induces earliness and enhances the number of floral buds and total yield by 10-15% in leguminous crops like pea and soybean.
More than 4,000 genotypes of various crops have been evaluated for drought and cold tolerance, seed dormancy and photosynthesis.
Marker Assisted Selection for Quality Protein Maize
Maize endosperm consisting of approximately 9-12% protein is, however, deficient in two essential amino acids viz., lysine and tryptophan. The low nutritive value of maize is genetically corrected and the biofortified form known as Quality Protein Maize (QPM), which contains twice the amount of lysine and tryptophan coupled with high protein biological value. The opaque-2 gene along with necessary modifiers is primarily responsible for the enhanced protein quality. Development of QPM germplasm through conventional plant breeding methods requires enormous time, labor and spatial resources since the opaque-2 gene is recessive in nature and modifiers behave as multigenic trait. DNA-based markers hold great promise in augmenting the pace of conventional breeding procedures. The current research efforts at VPKAS intend to convert normal maize hybrids into QPM using SSR (Simple Sequence Repeats) markers viz., phi057, phi112 and umc1066, which are located as internal repetitive sequences within opaque-2 gene. The marker assisted breeding strategy being developed at this institute obviates the need for selfing after every back cross and thus reduces the total breeding duration by one half and proves to be simple, resource-efficient and cost-effective.
Marker Aided Pyramiding of Blast resistance Genes in Hill Rice
Deployment of host resistance is by far the most effective means of controlling rice blast caused by the fungal pathogen, Magnaporthe grisea. Gene pyramiding, which refers to the combining of two or more major genes for resistance in a single plant genotype is one of the novel strategies to increase durability of resistance. A molecular breeding program with blast resistance as its principal objective is being structured so that major genes like Pi-1, Pi-2 & Pi-9 are combined to exclude the known lineages in the target region.
Mapping Genes/ QTLs for Blast Resistance in Hill Rice
Mapping of genes/QTLs conferring resistance to Rice blast in VL 95-6394, a national blast resistance donor is in progress. A cross was made between VL 95-6394 and VL 206, a popular but susceptible genotype. Bulk segregant analysis carried out using RAPD and ISSR markers revealed association between few markers and blast resistance/susceptibility in VL 95-6394/VL 206. Simultaneously, a QTL mapping experiment is also being undertaken to map partial resistance in the same cross. An F2:3 mapping population has been raised and phenotyping completed at three locations in Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir- the hot spots for rice blast pathogen, Magnaporthe grisea. Genotyping of the mapping population is being carried out employing Rice SSRs.
DNA fingerprinting of Magnaporthe grisea and Helminthosporium turcicum
An understanding of the structure and dynamics of the pathogen population is essential for prudent implementation of strategies for disease management. Keeping this in view, the institute has taken up pathogen characterization of the two most important diseases in the region, Rice blast and Northern corn leaf blight (NCLB) in maize. Isolates of Magnaporthe grisea (M. grisea) causing rice blast and H. turcicum causing NCLB in maize were collected from various locations in Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. RAPD and ISSR markers are being used for fingerprinting of the isolates of both these pathogens. In addition to this, for fingerprinting of M. grisea, a species-specific Pot element is also employed. The fingerprinting data is further utilised for clustering of the isolates into different groups/lineages. In case of Rice blast, the pathogenicity tests are being undertaken using the NILs having specific Pi genes to work out the combination of genes that can exclude all lineages present, and thus provide durable resistance to blast disease.
Molecular Diversity Analysis in Winter Wheat Germplasm
VPKAS houses a large collection of winter wheat germplasm, which is being hailed as repository of useful genes. The wheat research program of the institute lays emphasis on exploiting the heterosis through winter X spring wheat hybridization. The grouping of the winter and spring wheat germplasm based on molecular diversity pattern would aid the breeders in efficient selection of parents. The current research efforts aim at exploring the wheat genome through RAPD and SSR markers and clustering based on DNA finger printing data.
Genetic Engineering for Augmenting Starch Biosynthesis
Starch forms a major constituent of cereal seeds. Starch synthesis is regulated by the activation and expression of genes especially ADP-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase (AGP), starch synthase and branching enzymes. The formation of reserved starch is regulated by the level of AGP enzyme. The transfer of a mutant AGP gene insensitive to allosteric inhibition is likely to increase reserved starch content in the storage tissue of a plant. The present research efforts are directed towards introducing modified AGP genes in rice, which is the major staple food of the region.
Suitable package of practices including optimum sowing
time, fertilizer dose, seed rate, spacing, sowing methods and weed management for
the major crops of the
region have been standardized with due emphasis on rainfed agriculture and development of
low input technology.
Farmers' practice of high density nursery (300 – 350 g/m2 nursery) and transplanting 4 –5 seedlings at 10 x 10 cm spacing gives 41 q/ha grain yield. This can be significantly improved by recommended practice of nursery, (seeding 60 g/m2) and transplanting (2 seedlings at 20 x 10 cm spacing) which results in production of 53 q/ha rice. Under delayed conditions, seedlings of VL 62 (a semi tall variety) could be transplanted up to 60 days age, which avoids delayed maturity. The ideal transplanting time is 3rd week of June, using 45 days old seedlings.
Application of 40 kg N/ha is the best to realize the potential yield of finger millet varieties (VL 146, VL 149) and barnyard millet varieties (VL 21, VL 29, VL 172, and VL 181).
Reduction in grain yield due to cutting of fodder in dual purpose wheat, VL 616 (green fodder + grain) could be offset by increasing the seed rate by 20 kg seed/ha, and applying additional 30 kg N/ha. Kudzu (Pureria thumbergiana), grown on waste lands, has been found to supply maximum biomass and nutrient for manuring.
Optimum population of soybean for higher yield is 0.3 million plants/ha, (22 q/ha) which is 2.9 and 26.8 per cent higher than the yield obtained under the population of 0.45 and 0.6 millions plants/ha, respectively. The higher green pod yield of garden pea can be obtained with the application of poultry manure @ 5 t/ha (176 q/ha). Application of 100 kg N along with FYM @ 20 t/ha has been found to be the best to realize the potential yield of okra (VL Bhindi 1). Planting of okra at the spacing 45 x 150 cm spacing is most suitable giving an yield of 244 q/ha.
Weed control is essential for realizing production potential and imparting profitability in the field crops. In addition, the use of herbicides helps in reducing the drudgery of the women. Pre-emergence application of isoproturon 0.5 kg a.i./ha mixed with 1% CaSO4 solution is effective in weed control and production of finger millet (17 q/ha). Soybean production (21 q/ha) similar to 2 hand weeding can be obtained by pre-plant soil incorporation of new herbicide-squadron @ 2.0 litre/ha. In hybrid tomato and garden pea, imposition of weed management from 45 – 60 days and 30 – 90 days period is crucial for realizing their potential yield.
Intercropping
Intercropping of finger millet (transplanted) + pigeon pea in the row ratio of 4:1 is better in terms of finger millet equivalent yield (66 q/ha), net returns (Rs. 20 thousand/ha) and LER (1.26) under rainfed condition. Intercropping of groundnut in pigeon pea in 1:1 ratio gives the highest pigeon pea equivalent yield (46 q/ha) and LER (1.4) followed by pigeon pea paired row + 1 row groundnut (45 q/ha) and LER (1.35). Sole pigeon pea resulted 30 q/ha yield.
Fallow Management
In traditional spring rice – wheat – finger millet – fallow and barnyard millet – wheat – finger millet – fallow, the fallow period can be replaced by cultivation of toria/lentil under rainfed condition. In traditionally cultivated transplanted rice-fallow-potato cropping system under valley areas, the fallow period can be replaced by toria/radish/cabbage under irrigated condition.
Relay Cropping
Relay intercropping of potato (one row) within paired rows of maize and two rows of potato in between two paired rows of maize (40/80 cm) recorded highest maize equivalent yield (220 q/ha), gross return (Rs.110 thousand/ha), net returns (Rs. 50 thousand/ha), BC ratio (1.83) and LER (1.98). Relay intercropping of hybrid tomato in maize in the row ratio of 1:1 could be another option providing higher production of 525q/ha (maize equivalent) and net returns (Rs. 200 thousands/ ha) with LER of 1.89.
Carbon balance
Improved biomass recycling maintains long term soil productivity. The root biomass content of rice, soybean, barnyard and finger millet ranges from 35 to 46 % of total biomass. In the mid hills, soybean can add 2.9 t root biomass followed by finger millet (2.6 t/ha) and barnyard millet (2 t/ha) compared to only 1.5 t / ha from rice and maize, respectively.
Long term fertility management
Soil productivity could be improved by application of 20:80:40 kg N:P:K + 10 t FYM/ha (to soybean only) in soybean – wheat sequence in rainfed condition. It produces 30 q soybean and 20 q/ ha wheat as compared to 26 and 16 q/ha respectively, 30 years ago. This nutrient management results in improvement in bulk density (from 1.51 to 1.33 Mg/m3) and nutrient cycling (2000 kg C and 99 kg N / ha/yr).
Organic farming
Organic source of nutrients (FYM) is superior to fertilizers at higher level (of 15 and 20 t/ha) resulting 32 and 34 q/ha of VL Basmati – 2 rice. Comparatively, the NPK fertilizers at lower doses (equivalent to 5 and 10 t FYM / ha) result 30 and 33 q / ha rice yield. Fertilizer use at higher doses results in higher incidence of blast and stem borer.
Tillage
Reduced tillage can be adopted without affecting productivity on a short term basis (2 years). It results in cost reduction, improved soil organic matter and water retention. Soybean-lentil and soybean-wheat are better options under reduced tillage.
Technology for storing surplus water in
polythene-lined tanks has been standardized. It is not only cheaper than
cement tanks but is also superior for this earthquake-prone zone.
Crop water use and moisture extraction pattern of
important kharif and rabi
crops under rainfed condition have been determined. Irrigation schedules based on IW/CPE, for rice, wheat and vegetables
have been worked out to achieve high water use efficiency. Information on drip
irrigation in tomato has also been generated. In
situ and ex-situ mulches
have been tried for moisture conservation.
Suitable grasses and legumes
have been identified and their management practices developed for
improving the fodder productivity of native grasslands. Production technology of dual purpose crops (wheat, barley and oat) for
grain and green fodder as well as different cultivated fodders have been
developed. Two
winter grasses, viz., tall fescue and
perennial rye have been found promising
under rainfed condition. On steep sloping lands, planting of fuel-cum-fodder trees ( Quercus leucotriphophora, Grewia optiva, Morus
alba) by improved pit technique shows better establishment
and faster growth and reduced erosion than the traditional pit planting.
Turmeric and ginger can be successfully grown under fodder trees in silvi-horti
system.
Low cost polyhouse technology has been developed for protected cultivation. Crops and seedlings can successfully be grown during winter in the poly houses, which is, otherwise, not possible out side due to prevailing low temperature. Package and practices for growing vegetables under low cost polyhouse have been developed and standardized.
Quonset type G.I.-based polyhouse (dimension - 10 x 4.0 x 2.25 m) have been evaluated for off-season vegetable cultivation. Fan and pad cooled polyhouses (with controlled climatic parameters like temperature and humidity) is better than naturally ventilated polyhouse. Tomato (Manisha) and vegetable pea (VL Ageti matar 7) can be successfully grown in these polyhouses. Bamboo-based polyhouse (even span dimension - 7.5 x 4.0 x 2.6 m) has been constructed at farmers' field. The cost of bamboo-based polyhouse and G.I.-based polyhouse is Rs.3,150.00 and Rs.12,500.00 for floor area of 30 and 45 sq.m. respectively. MS angle-based polyhouses constructed in participatory mode have been well accepted by the farmers. Some of the polyhouse are being used for geranium cultivation whereas others are utilized for growing high value crops.
Fruits and vegetables are some of the most important commercial crops in hill farming, however, they normally face 10 to > 20 % losses which adversely affects the income. Finger and barnyard millets are important cereal crops of the hills. Threshing of these crops is a lengthy and tedious process and it causes severe drudgery to the farm women. A highly efficient finger millet and barnyard millet thresher with > 98% threshing efficiency and with > 90% pearling efficiency has successfully been designed and developed. This thresher has been well-received by the cultivators as well as the development agencies. Prototype of this thresher is being provided to all the blocks of Almora districts in collaboration with Government of Uttaranchal .
Survey of Kumaon and Garhwal regions show prevalence of yellow
and brown rusts, loose smut, powdery mildew and hill bunt in wheat; stripe and
covered smut in barley; blast, brown leaf spot, and false smut in rice; neck and
finger blast in finger millet; turcicum
leaf blight in maize; powdery mildew, white rot in pea; buck eye rot in
tomato, root rot and anthracnose in bean; root rot and wilt in lentil, and
frog eye leaf spot, and anthracnose in soybean
as the major diseases. Fuscous blight of french bean/rajmash. has been reported for the first time from
this region. Viral
diagnosis, based on symptomatology, shows presence of nearly 50 viral
diseases affecting different crops grown in hills.
White
grub, a polyphagous pest, which devastates a number of rainfed
kharif crops, is the most menacing insect of the region and nearly 37
species of this insect have been recorded in Uttaranchal. In
addition, stem borer and leaf folder in rice and small millets, hairy
caterpillar and sucking bug in soybean, leaf miner in garden pea and pod borer in pea and gram,
fruit borer in tomato, blister beetle in beans and pigeon pea are
other major pests.
Losses caused by major diseases and insects to important crops vary from slight to severe depending on the crop/variety and prevailing climatic conditions. Major pests, like blast and stem borer caused up to 65% and 52% losses respectively in rice, stripe up to 72% in barley, white rot up to 58% in pea, buck eye rot up to 80% in tomato, anthracnose and frog eye leaf spot (combined) up to 20% in soybean and white grub up to 80% in rainfed rice.
The studies revealed that a temperature of 20-280C combined with RH > 80% is best suited for development of Helminthosporium turcicum in maize whereas minimum temperature of 15-200C along with higher number of days with RH >90% are contributory factors for development of blast in rice. July to September provide the most congenial environment for the development of these diseases.
Management technologies have been evolved for major diseases
in important crops with emphasis on evaluation of germplasm for resistance
against important pathogens and insects, manipulation of cultural practices, use
of locally available plant part extracts and the need-based application of
pesticides.
Identification of resistant sources
More than 70,000 genotypes evaluated in various pathological nurseries of
different important hill crops. Efficient
techniques have been standardized for creating artificial epiphytotics for
blast in rice, turcicum blight in maize, rusts and loose smut in
wheat to identify donors. Several entries possessing resistance to rust and
blast in wheat and rice respectively have been identified. Entries showing slow blasting response have
also been identified in rice . Disease resistant/tolerant genotypes have been identified
against smut in wheat and barnyard millet, blast in finger millet, leaf blight
in maize, frog eye leaf spot in
soybean, powdery mildew in pea and viral diseases
in different crops. NS 879/4, a Yugoslavian wheat accession shows BYDV
resistance.
Resistant/tolerant sources have also been identified for major insects,
like stem borer and leaf folder in rice.
Genetic Stocks Registered
VL 798 (Reg. No.INGR 03007, IC 296431) Wheat - an immune stock to hill bunt disease, VL 639 (Reg. No. INGR 03011, IC 296480) Wheat - a resistant stock to loose smut have been registered with NBPGR..
Chemical
control measures
Fungicides have been identified for the management of major diseases of
various crops - mancozeb (0.25%) for management of leaf blight in wheat and maize, brown spot in rice and purple
blotch in garlic; propiconazole (0.05%) for rust and leaf diseases in
barley and wheat; ediphenphos (0.1%), carbendazim (0.1%) or tricyclazole
(0.06%) for blast
and copper oxychloride (0.3%) for false smut in rice; carbendazim (0.1%) for smut in barnyard
millet and for leaf spots of soybean, black gram, green gram and groundnut; and
copper oxychloride (0.3%)/mancozeb (0.25%) along with mechanical staking for management of buck
eye rot of tomato have been found effective.
Identification of alternative control measures
Environment polluting pesticides can be effectively replaced, wherever
possible, by alternatives, like bio-pesticides and botanicals. Disease
management technology using plant part extracts (Oxalis
latifolia and Cannabis sativa
extracts for hill bunt in wheat and walnut extract for stripe in barley),
biocontrol agents (Gliocladium virens
for root rot of bean) and cultural management (altering sowing date), has been
developed.
Insecticides like Karate 5 EC +
Nimbecidine (1:1) and extract of Melia
azedarach reduces leaf folder and stem borer in rice and insect
damage in soybean, respectively. Spray of
0.05% chlorpyriphos for pod borer in gram and quinalphos or monocrotophos
(0.05%) for pest complex in
soybean were found effective.
Ectoparasite, Diglyphus guptai
causes 33% pest mortality in the first week of pest infestation. By sixth week,
the mortality reaches 80% and the main damage is caused by the endoparasite,
Apanteles
ruficrus. In gram, pod borer Helicoverpa
armigera is parasitised up to 10 per cent by Campoletis
chloridae.
Light trap for trapping beetles of white grub has been developed and evaluated. Seasonal abundance of white grub beetles has been recorded from 1990 to 2002. The number of beetles trapped between June to September is maximum and July is the peak period for emergence. The climatic conditions during July are - maximum temperature (28.4-30.9°C), minimum temperature (19.7-21.6°C) and relative humidity (73.8-85.3%).
Anomala dimidiata is the predominant species followed by Holotrichia seticollis. Beetles as well as the grubs cause maximum damage to rainfed kharif crops, especially rice.
The microbial pathogens associated with diseased white grubs have been isolated. A bacterium, viz; Yersinia sp. has been identified from the diseased grubs for the first time. Application of crude extract of milky diseased grubs ( c.o. Bacillus popillae) causes complete mortality of healthy grubs with in 45 days.
Statistics and Computer Applications
An empirical formula
has been developed for estimation of
pan evaporation using only minimum and maximum temperatures which has
satisfactory level of accuracy (R2 ranging from 0.76 to 0.86).
Computer programs have been developed for design and analysis of field experiments, data entry, univariate and multivariate statistical analyses, genetic analysis, matrix algebra and mathematical analysis.
Studies on major crops and
forest grasslands show that the fertility gradient, in general, is along the
slope and, therefore, the experimental plots should be narrow across the slope
and long along the slope of experimental field.
Studies with empirical and simulated data reveals
that nonconformity to the underlying assumptions for a valid data analysis is
the cause behind inadmissible value of genetic correlation coefficient, i.e.,
either r < -1 or r > 1.
Computer generated data on length of dry spell and
number of dry days in a month revealed redundancy of power transformation used
for normalization of data for planning supplementary irrigation.
Major contributing ancillary characters have been identified for pre-harvest forecasting of wheat and soybean yields.
Database creation for North-Western Himalayas is underway. At present it contains agricultural and demographic data.
Tables, forms and queries were developed for data entry, editing, storage, searching and retrieval for database consisting of 482-paddy germplasm with 42 characters, 103 pea germplasm with 33 characters, 258 maize germplasm with 52 characters, 350 wheat germplasm with 33 characters and 78 Finger millet germplasm with 15 characters.
A survey
of the economics of
off-season vegetables indicates that producer receives very little of the
consumer pays for the produce and major share is siphoned to the middle-men in
the prevailing marketing system. Therefore, keeping farmers and consumers
interest in mind, farmers should develop their own marketing system, e.g., by
forming a cooperative society.
A linear regression model has been developed relating soybean yield and different inputs. Total holding size and quantity of compost used are the most important variables related to yield.
Impact study of improved agricultural technology on labor absorption in mid-hills shows that spring rice-wheat-maize-toria (two years) is the most and maize-pea (one year) is the least labor-intensive cropping sequences.
The growing importance of vegetables as cash crop in India is apparent from the increased vegetable area in almost all states during 1990-91 and 1998-99. In NW Himalayan hills, Uttar Pradesh hills (presently Uttaranchal hills) has shown tremendous increase area (from 57.06 to 91.5 thousand hectares). In Himachal Pradesh, increase is moderate (38.7 thousand hectares to 45.80 thousand hectares), whereas the area under vegetables actually declined from 180.3 thousand hectares to 41.20 thousand hectares in Jammu & Kashmir. The same scenario exists in vegetable production. In Uttaranchal hills, the production level has risen from 617.6 to 840.7 thousand t. In Himachal Pradesh the production level rose from 476 to 606.4 thousand t, whereas, in J&K the vegetable production has declined from 745 to 607 thousand t.
Preliminary survey reveals that, the common market channels for vegetables, produced in the hills are producer-contractor-commission agent (CA)-retailer-consumer and producer-commission agent (CA)-retailer-consumer.
The 'Transfer of Technology Programme'
of the institute has undergone many changes in the past in terms of its
structure, methodology and approach. Such changes are the result of ongoing
experience and the need of the time. Over 5,000 demonstrations on different improved
agricultural technologies, in about 1500 ha area, were conducted in farmers’
fields in 18 villages of district Almora. Benchmark surveys of these villages
have shown that the productivity can be enhanced by 150 - 200% by adopting
improved technologies.
The institute organizes "farmers' fairs" and "field days" at the institute/farmers' fields for better interaction between scientists and farmers. For quick and wider transfer of technology, scientists deliver radio talks on specific topics and the institute participates in different exhibitions and fairs in the region. Extension literatures on improved package of practices for various crops have been prepared and updated in Hindi for the benefit of hill farmers. Farmers are provided with the solutions to the problems posed by them through “Krishak help Line Service” of the institute (( 05962-231115) on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during 16:00-17:00 hr.
Training programs for hill farmers, officials of state government and voluntary organizations are organized. In this year (2003), about 300 nominees of Uttaranchal Government have been imparted training so far, covering various aspects of hill agriculture, through six training programmes.
"Jansampark Diwas" is celebrated on every year on 4th July (the foundation day of the institute), for propagating achievements of our Institute
Constraint analysis for non-adoption of improved agriculture practices indicates that small and scattered land holdings, non availability of inputs like seeds, fertilizers and plant protection are the major constraints for non adoption of improved technologies in hills.
Under IVLP-TAR, interventions of high yielding varieties (including spring rice VL 206 and dual purpose wheat VL 616), use of seed drill for better germination and establishment of crops, reduction in the drudgery of women through use of herbicides for weed control (e.g., isoproturon for Ranunculus), and fallow management by inclusion of crops, like toria, lentil and radish, are the most widely accepted in adopted villages of Purora, Phulwari Gunth and Tallihat, in Baijnath block, District Bageshwar
Dr. H.S. Gupta receiving the coveted 'Sardar Patel Outstanding ICAR Institution Award 2000' from Hon'ble Union Minister for Agriculture and Railways, Mr. Nitish Kumar, on July 16, 2001.