What are Soil Properties?

It is well known that one of the chief factors responsible for obtaining satisfactory crop yields is the presence of essential plant nutrients in the soil in adequate quantities and in readily utilisable for maximum and rational soil management, a knowledge of the fertility status and psical properties of a soil is essential. Soil testing is one of the methods of determining the fertility status of the soils, so that recommendations in regard to deficient nutrients or soil amendments can be made. In fact, soil-testing forms an essential part of any scheme of agricultural development. Soil-testing laboratories have been established in almost all the states, covering all districts in them, where soils are analysed quickly and recommendations are made in respect of the fertilizer requirement for different crops.
Successful farming does not merely depend on the knowledge of physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil. It is a matter concerning both soil and soil management.The most important consideration in soil managment is the correct application of the relationship between the soil and the crops to be grown. Although the problems of soil management vary according to the soils and their situations the climatic conditions and the crops to be grown, yet there are fundamental factors which govern the choice of a soil managment practices. Good soil tilth is the first feature of good soil management. It means a suitable physical condition of the soil and implies, in addition, a satisfactory regulating of soil moisture and air. The maintenance of soil organic matter which encourages, granulation is an important consideration of good tilth. Tillage operations and timings should be so adjusted as to cause the minimum destruction of soil aggregates. Good tilth minimizes erosion hazards.

ICAR Inks MoU with GART

ICAR and GART agreed to promote cooperation in the field, exchange of scientists and technologies; exchange of germplasm and breeding material; exchange of scientific literature, information and methodology; exchange of scientific equipment as available and required in programme of common interest as may be mutually agreed upon; Both also agreed to develop and implement the collaborative research projects, the areas and methodology to be as mutually agreed upon and subject to IPR.

This Memorandum of Understanding will be implemented through biennial Work Plans to be developed jointly. A Joint Working Group will be set up with representatives from the both Parties to meet once in two years alternately in New Delhi and Lusaka to follow up the execution of this MoU and suggest necessary measures for its development.
The broad objectives of GART are translated into two science and technology programmes, respectively on conservation farming and on smallholder livestock development.

Ultrasound Used for Better Breeding in Sheep

At the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station in Dubois, Idaho, research leader Greg Lewis and his colleagues have shown that ultrasound could significantly improve the speed and accuracy of selective breeding methods. Producers currently rely on visual appraisals to predict carcass traits before choosing which sheep to breed. Ultrasound provides a faster, more accurate alternative.
Ultrasound technology routinely used to accurately predict characteristics that indicate carcass yield and value in cattle and swine can also be used in live sheep, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and cooperators have found.


To test the reliability of the technology, the team took ultrasound images of 172 lambs before slaughter. Henry Zerby, an assistant professor at Ohio State University, coordinated the collection of carcass trait data for the lambs. Lewis and Dave Notter, a geneticist at Virginia Tech, collaborated to analyze the data.

The scientists found that a trained technician can capture an ultrasound image in about 30 seconds with reasonable accuracy. The images can then be used to estimate traits that influence the carcass value of market lambs. Such traits include loin muscle area, loin muscle depth and back-fat thickness.

Although initially more expensive than visual appraisals, the superior accuracy of ultrasound may translate into better economic returns through improved evaluation and selection of breeding stock. According to Lewis, ultrasound is an excellent way for breeding-stock producers to get the data they need to make selection decisions.

Reliable predictions save breeders valuable time, allowing for educated decision making about an animal’s offspring without waiting for the offspring to mature.

ICAR's International Fellowships as approved by the Council

In its continued efforts towards enhancing and sustaining the standards, quality and relevance of higher agricultural education in the country, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) here-in-after, referred as the Council, has instituted International Fellowships with dual purpose of (i) human resource development in cutting edge technologies, and (ii) demonstrating the strength of Indian agricultural system abroad. The objective is to develop competent human resource that are trained in the identified best laboratories in the world (for Indian candidates) and similarly expose overseas candidates to the best Indian Agricultural Universities (AUs) in the ICAR-AU system (comprising of State Agricultural Universities, Central Agricultural University Imphal, ICAR-Deemed Universities, Allahabad Agricultural Institute-DU, Central Universities having agricultural faculty) for creating a pool of scientist-envoys for enhanced future co-operation.
2. Title:

The fellowship is named as “ICAR International Fellowship (ICAR-IF)” and the awardee will be called “ICAR International Fellow”.
3. Purpose:

The ICAR-IFs are available to support Indian/ Overseas nationals for pursuing doctoral degree in agriculture and allied sciences, in the identified priority areas, to the

* Indian candidates for study abroad in the identified overseas Universities/Institutions having strong research and teaching capabilities and
* Overseas candidates for study in the best Indian AUs in the ICAR-AUs system.

4. Location:

For study in the identified institutions having strong research and teaching capabilities and adequate strength in terms of faculty and infrastructure facilities, the ICAR-IFs are tenable at:

* identified overseas institutions in case of Indian candidates and
* identified Indian Agricultural Universities (AUs) from ICAR-AU system in India in case of overseas candidates.

5. Tenure of Fellowship:

1. The ICAR-IFs are available to Indian candidates as well as Overseas candidates for a period of three years.
2. The tenure of fellowship will not be extended in any case, in so far as the Council support is concerned.
3. In case the fellow is not able to complete his/her degree during this period, he/she will use his/her own resources for completing the degree.
4. In case the fellow is not able to complete even after 2 years of the prescribed duration of the programme for which fellowship was sanctioned, the Council may take necessary steps, for the recovery of the fellowship paid.

6. Number of Fellowships:

Number of fellowships available every year for a programme leading to Ph.D. degree under this scheme will be 15. The allocation of fellowships between Indian and Overseas candidates will depend upon the availability of good candidates in the identified priority areas.
7. Eligibility:

1. Master’s degree in agriculture/allied sciences with an Overall Grade Point Average (OGPA) 6.60 out of 10.0 or 65% marks or equivalent will be the eligibility requirement for the ICAR-IF.
2. The candidates as on the specified date of the year of admission should not be more than 35 years of age.
3. The notification for fellowship will contain the detailed eligibility requirements.
4. The ICAR-IF would be available for both, fresh and in-service candidates. However, the fresh candidates should have completed their qualifying degree not more than two years before the specified date in the year of admission. The in-service candidates from India should be employed in the ICAR-AU system.
5. The Council will identify and announce the priority areas of research and the list of institutions for admission, one year in advance, for availing the ICAR-IF.

8. Mode of Application:

1. The candidate should submit an application for the fellowship, on-line, in the prescribed format.
2. The area of study and the line of the proposed research work should be in the identified priority area relevant to Indian/Global agriculture as identified by the Council and the same shall be notified one year in advance.
3. The applicant shall provide two references along with their contact Email addresses, in support of his application, who may be directly contacted by the Council for obtaining comments in the prescribed format on his candidature. One of the two referees should preferably be his/her supervisor in the current occupation (if employed) and one who is an expert in the area and well acquainted with the candidate’s work.
4. The applicants for the ICAR-IF must obtain at their own level, an acceptance of their admission in the Ph.D. degree programmes with identified area of study at the identified Indian AUs in case of overseas applicants and the identified overseas institutions in case of Indian applicants. Such acceptance letters should preferably be enclosed with the application for the fellowship.
5. The candidates should satisfy themselves regarding admission and course requirements of the university before identifying these as a place of study.
6. Applications for ICAR-IF will be invited on annual basis through announcements published in Indian national newspapers and the notification on ICAR website “http://www.icar.org.in”. Indian diplomatic missions in foreign countries will also be informed through e-mails.

State of the Economy

The economy has moved decisively to a higher growth phase. Till a few years ago, there was still a debate among informed observers about whether the economy had moved above the 5 to 6 per cent average growth seen since the 1980s. There is now no doubt that the economy has moved to a higher growth plane, with growth in GDP at market prices exceeding 8 per cent in every year since 2003-04. The projected economic growth of 8.7 per cent for 2007-08 is fully in line with this trend. There was an acceleration in domestic investment and saving rates to drive growth and provide the resources for meeting the 9 per cent (average) growth target of the Eleventh Five-Year Plan. Macroeconomic fundamentals continue to inspire confidence and the investment climate is full of optimism. Buoyant growth of government revenues made it possible to maintain fiscal consolidation as mandated under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act (FRBMA). The decisive change in growth trend also means that the economy was, perhaps, not fully prepared for the different set of challenges that accompany fast growth. Inflation flared up in the last half of 2006-07 and was successfully contained during the current year, despite a global hardening of commodity prices and an upsurge in capital inflows. An appreciation of the rupee, a slowdown in the consumer goods segment of industry and infrastructure (both physical and social) constraints, remained of concern. Raising growth to double digit will therefore require additional reforms.

What is the difference between tossa and white jute?

Commonly it can be differentiated by its leaf character like in tossa jute the leaves are drooping, bigger in size, yellowish green with less serration whereas in white jute the leaves are straight, relatively smaller in size, dark green in colour with deep serration.

List of Agricultural Universities

S.No.	Name, email & website	Address	Telephone/Fax No.
1	Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University Website: http://www.angrau.net Email: angrau_vc@yahoo.com, raghuvardhanreddy_s@rediffmail.com	Adminstrative Office, Rajendra Nagar, Hyderabad-500030, Andhra Pradesh	040-24015035, 24013095 Fax: 040-24015031
2	Anand Agricultural University Website: http://www.aau.in Email: vc@aau.in, vc_aau@yahoo.com	Anand 388110, Gujarat	02692-261273 Fax: 02692-261520
3	Assam Agricultural University Website: http://www.aau.ac.in Email: vc@aau.ac.in, ssb@aau.ac.in	Jorhat 785013, Assam	0376-2340013 Fax: 0376-2340001
4	Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya Website: http://www.bckv.edu.in Email: vcbckv@vsnl.net	Mohanpur, Nadia-741252, West Bengal	033-25879772, 03473-222666 Fax:03473-222275
5	Birsa Agricultural University Website: http://www.baujharkhand.org Email: vc_bau@rediffmail.com	Kanke, Ranchi-834006, Jharkhand	0651-2450500 Fax:0651-2450850
6	Central Agricultural University Website: . Email: snpuri04@yahoo.co.in, snpuri@rediffmail.com	P.O. Box 23, Imphal-795004, Manipur	0385-2415933 Fax:0385-2410414
7	Chandra Shekar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology Website: http://www.csauk.ac.in Email: vc@csauk.ac.in, surivkgreatmaster@yahoo.com	Kanpur-208002, Uttar Pradesh	0512-2534155, 2533843 Fax:0512-2533808
8	Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University Website: . Email: vc@hau.ernet.in	Hisar-125004, Haryana	01662-231640 Fax:01662-234952
9	CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya Website: http://www.hillagric.ernet.in Email: vc@hillagric.ernet.in	Palampur-176062, Himachal Pradesh	01894-230521 Fax:01894-230465
10	Dr Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth Website: www.dbskkv.org Email: vcbskkv@yahoo.co.in	Dapoli Distt, Ratnagiri 415 712, Maharashtra	02358-282064 Fax:02358-282074
11	Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth Website: http://www.pdkv.mah.nic.in Email: vc@pdkv.mah.nic.in	Krishinagar,Akola-444104, Maharashtra	0724-2258365 Fax:0724-2258219
12	Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar Univ of Horticulture & Forestry Website: http://www.yspuniversity.ac.in Email: vc@yspuniversity.ac.in, vcuhf@yahoo.com	Solan, Nauni-173230, Himachal Pradesh	01792-252363 Fax:01792-252242
13	Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture & Technology Website: http://www.gbpuat.ac.in Email: pl_gautam@yahoo.com, vc@gbpuat.ernet.in	Pantnagar-263145,Distt Udham Singh , Nagar , Uttaranchal	05944-233333, 233663 Fax: 05944-233350,233833
14	Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Science University Website: Email:		0161-255360 Fax:
15	Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya Website: www.igau.edu.in Email: hazracr@yahoo.co.in	Krishak Nagar, Raipur-492012, Chhattisgarh	0771-2443419 Fax:0771-2442302
16	Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Viswavidyalaya Website: http://www.jnkvv.nic.in Email: dpsingh_jnkvv@yahoo.co.in	Jabalpur-482004, Madhya Pradesh	0761-2681706 Fax:0761-2681389
17	Junagadh Agricultural University Website: http://www.jau.in Email: vc@jau.in	Junagadg-362001, Gujarat	0285-2671784 Fax:0285-2672004
18	Kerala Agricultural University Website: http://www.kau.edu Email: vckau@sancharnet.in	Vellanikara, Trichur 680656, Kerala	0487-2371928, 2370034 Fax:0487-2370019
19	Maharana Pratap Univ. of Agriculture & Technology Website: http://www.mpuat.ac.in Email: vc@mpuat.ac.in, vcmpuat@yahoo.co.in	Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001	0294-2471101 Fax:0294-2470682
20	Maharashtra Animal Science & Fishery University Website: http://www.mafsu.in Email: atsherikar@hotmail.com, mafsul@hotmail.com	Seminary Hills, Nagpur-440006, Maharashtra	0712-2511282 Fax:0712-2511282
21	Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth Website: http://mpkv.mah.nic.in Email: vc.mpkv@nic.in	Rahuri-413722, Maharashtra	02426-243208 Fax:02426-243302
22	Marathwada Agricultural University Website: http://www.mkv2.mah.nic.in Email: vcmau@rediffmail.com, vc@mkv2.g8.net	Parbhani-431402, Maharashtra	02452-223002 Fax:02452-223582
23	Narendra Deva University of Agriculture & Technology Website: . Email: nduat@up.nic.in, smilyas@sify.com	Kumarganj, Faizabad -224229, Uttar Pradesh	05270-262097, 262161 Fax:05270-262097
24	Navsari Agricultural University Website: Email: vc_2004@yahoo.co.in	Navsari-396450 Gujarat	02673-283869 Fax:02673-284254
25	Orissa Univ. of Agriculture & Technology Website: http://www.ouat.ac.in Email: vcouat@indiatimes.com, bsenapati1942@yahoo.com	Bhubaneshwar-751003, Orissa	0674-2392677 Fax:0674-2391780
26	Punjab Agricultural University Website: http://www.pau.edu Email: vcpau@pau.edu	Ludhiana-141004, Punjab	0161-2401794 Fax:0161-2402483
27	Rajasthan Agricultural University Website: http://www.raubikaner.org Email: vcrau@raubikaner.org	Bikaner-334006,Rajasthan	0151-2250443, 2250488 Fax:0151-2250336
28	Rajendra Agricultural University Website: . Email: rau@bih.nic.in, raupusa@sancharnet.in	Pusa, Samastipur 848125, Bihar	06274-240226 Fax:06274-240255
29	Sardarkrushinagar-Dantiwada Agricultural University Website: http://www.sdau.edu.in Email: vc@sdau.edu.in	Sardar Krushinagar, Distt Banaskantha, Gujarat-385506	02748-278222, 278444 Fax:02748-,278261
30	Sardar Ballabh Bhai Patel Univ. of Agriculture & Technology Website: http://www.svbpuniversitymerut.org Email: yadav_mp@hotmail.com	Modipuram, Meerut - 250110 Uttar Pradesh	0121-2411522, 2411503 Fax:0121-2411505
31	Sher-E-Kashmir Univ of Agricultural Sciences & Technology Website: Email:	Railway Road, Jammu 180012, J&K	0191-2473883, 2471745, 2473417 Fax:0191-2473883
32	Sher-E-Kashmir Univ of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir Website: http://www.skuastkashmir.ac.in Email: anwar_alam@jk.nic.in, vcskuastk@jk.nic.in	Shalimar Campus, Shrinagar-191121, Jammu & Kashmir	0194-2462160, 2462159 Fax:0194-2462160, 2461543
33	Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University Website: Email:	Admn office, Regional Library Building, Tirupati-517502	0877-2248986 Fax:0877-2248986
34	Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Website: http://www.tnau.ac.in Email: vc@tnau.ac.in	Coimbatore-641003, Tamil Nadu	0422-2431788, 2431672 Fax:0422-2431672
35	Tamil Nadu Veterinary & Animal Science University Website: http://www.tanuvas.tn.nic.in Email: vctanuvas@vsnl.com	Chennai-600051, Tamilnadu	044-25551574 Fax:0444-225551576
36	University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore Website: http://uasbng.kar.nic.in Email: mnsheelavantar@yahoo.co.in,uas-vc@uasblr.kar.nic.in	GKVK,Bangalore-560065, Karnataka	080-23332442 Fax:080-23330277
37	University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad Website: http://www.uasd.edu Email: jhkulkarni@yahoo.co.in	Dharwad-580005, Karnataka	0836-2447783, 9448495300 Fax:0836-2448349
38	UP Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwa Vidhyalaya evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan Website: http://www.upvetuniv.edu.in Email: mlmadan@hotmail.com	Mathura-281001 , Uttar Pradesh	0565-2503499 Fax:0565-2404819
39	Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya Website: Email:	P.O. Pundibari, Dist. Coach Bihar-736165,West Bengal	03582-270141 Fax:03582-270249
40	West Bengal University of Animal & Fishery Sciences Website: Email: wbuafs@wb.nic.in	68 KB Sarani, Kolkata-700037, West Bengal	033-25563450 Fax:033-25571986
41	Guru Angad Dev University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Website: Email:	Ludhiana - 141004, Punjab	--

Result of NET 2009

Result of NET 2009

Click here to view Result of NET 2009

ARS Examiniation 2009

ARS Examiniation 2009

Viva Voce Programme

List of Candidates

Water Harvesting Technology brings Farmers out of Poverty

Water is most crucial resource for sustainable agricultural production in the dry land/rain fed areas. However the major part of the rain water coming over the farmers field in these areas goes away unused as runoff. The runoff does not only cause loss of water but it also washes away precious top soil. Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), Hyderabad has standardized location specific water harvesting technologies in the form of Farm Ponds to address this problem and the institute is actively up-scaling this technology countrywide. The farm ponds are constructed at the lower side of the fields. The runoff from the contributing fields is chanalized into the pond. In light soil, the dugout ponds are lined to improve the storage efficiency by containing the seepage.

CRIDA has been promoting Farm Pond Technology in the rainfed areas in the country as a drought proofing measure. This technology was taken to the farmers’ field by CRIDA team in Sithagonthi village of Adilabad district in Andhra Pradesh under NAIP project on Sustainable Rural Livelihoods Security in the year 2008. This area receives an average of 1050 mm rainfall annually and has good potential for run-off harvesting. Considering the slopes of the fields, an appropriate location was identified for a dug out pond (17m x 17 m x 4.5 m) involving a group of farmers as stakeholders. Initially there was very strong opposition from the farmers (Mr. Namdev and his brothers) for loosing a part of their land for digging the pond. By highlighting the benefits of the proposed intervention, the farmers were persuaded and agreed to get the Farm Pond dug in their land.

Soon after the farm pond was dug (July, 2008), there were good rains leading to complete filling. The rainwater filled to the brim of the pond got the farmers enthused. They hired diesel engine to irrigate half acre area where they grew tomatoes. Looking at the water level the staff of KVK, Adilabad facilitated the release of 2000 fingerlings in the pond. By the time tomatoes came to harvest, the prices in the market had touched close to Rs.25/kg. Mr.Namdev hired local vehicle and went to the market himself to sell tomatoes. He made a good profit of over Rs.20,000/- through four good harvests of tomato. By mid November 2008, there was water still to a depth of two meters. This encouraged the farmers to sow chickpea on one acre land. Half of the well grown fishlings were sold for Rs.30,000/-. As a result the amount spent in digging the pond was recovered within the first year with chickpea crop still to be harvested. Earlier Mr.Namdeo was hiding from the money-lenders and not concentrating on farming. Through enhanced farm income Namdev could clear all his debts and that restored his self confidence and dignity. He has also started sending his children to the school. Now he is considered as a successful farmer in the area and many farmers from the neighbouring villages are coming to see his farm module. This has raised enthusiasm of the farmers of this area and the generally reluctant tribal farmers have come forward to get farm ponds dug on their lands in convergence with the ongoing NREGS. Overwhelmed by this response, the NAIP project has facilitated inclusion of digging work in the NREGS shelf of works. Consequently the district authorities of Adilabad had visited this successful farm module and have allocated an amount of Rs.20.00 lakhs for up scaling this intervention. In the current year (2009) also the Farm Pond of Mr. Namdeo is filled and is being used for providing life saving irrigation to kharif crops. This successful case has demonstrated the value and usefulness of Farm Pond technology for sustainability of rainfed farming systems and importance of convergence of R & D institutions. The above success story of use of technological intervention may be well replicated with CRIDA’s technical support in other rainfed areas of the country.