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The Quinquennial Review Team (QRT) visited the Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikode during June 6-8, 2012.
The review team was headed by Dr M Mahadevappa, ex-chairman of ASRB and former Vice Chancellor of University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. Other members include Dr. DS Cheema, Dr. GSR Murti, Dr Madhuban Gopal, Dr SN Pandey, Dr KK Jindal and Dr. T John Zachariah.
IISR Director Dr M Anandaraj briefed about the overall achievements of the institute. The Head of Divisions of Crop Improvement, Crop Protection and Crop Production also presented the achievements of their respective division. The team also visited the Institute library, where they were introduced to the office automation software by Dr SJ Eapen. They also visited all the laboratories of the institute where they interacted with the scientists.
The review team chairman Dr M Mahadevappa, who lauded the efforts of IISR, said that the impact of technologies developed by the institute, especially nutraceuticals, on the Indian Economy would be immense. He also pointed out that spices will have a predominant role to play since next revolution will be through horticultural crops. Value addition and secondary agriculture have to be conceived properly and promoted further, he added.
The QRT visited the Krishi Vigyan Kendra of the Institute at Pervuvannamuzhi on 6th June. Principal Scientist PA Mathew briefed the team about the activities of KVK. The members also visited Black pepper germplasm block, organic trial on black pepper and tree spices nursery.
The QRT-IMC interface was also held on 7th in the ITMU hall of Scientists Hostel. During the meeting the QRT queried about the problems faced by the institute while implementing its research projects. During the QRT-Scientist interface, Director made detailed presentation on the achievements of the Institute for the past 5 years.
Dr. K Nirmal Babu, Project coordinator made a presentation on the achievements of AICRPS.
On 8th June the team visited the Panniyur station of AICRPS and reviewed the achievements made by the centers at Panniyur, Sirsi and Dapoli.
The team also visited the Cardamom Research Centre of IISR at Appangala on 9th June. The team also suggested organizing a Farmers’ Innovative Meet at Appangala to recognize the new innovations of farmers. The team also felt that secondary agriculture and mechanization have a great scope in black pepper and cardamom.
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