Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science Rampur, Nepal

The Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS) is the only agricultural institute under Tribhuvan University in Nepal for training in agriculture and animal sciences. The IAAS traces its origin to a school of agriculture, established in 1957 in Kathmandu to train Junior Technical Assistant (JTAs)s. In 1968, the school was upgraded with I.Sc. Agriculture program to college of agriculture. In 1972, the college was recognized as the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science under Tribhuvan University and moved to the present location at Rampur, Chitwan in 1974. Presently, the institute has three campuses at Rampur, Chitwan, Sundarbazar, Lamjung, and Paklihawa, Rupendehi.

The dean's office is located at the Rampur Campus. The office includes a Central Management Team to run the institute, headed by Dean.

Research

The Directorate of Research and Publication (DOR) has been established at Rampur under the office of the Dean. The DOR encourages to promote interdisciplinary research studies focusing on the priority areas as emphasized by Nepal Agriculture perspective Plan (APP), a 20 years agriculture development plan, which is in effect since 1995.Basically, the DOR helps to develop proposals and to carry out research on both basic and applied biological as well as social science related research to the field of agriculture. The knowledge/information generated from research are disseminated through teaching, seminars, conferences, symposia, extension activities and scientific publications. IAAS does publish ‘Journal of the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science’ an annual publication, for the scientific information on plant, animal and social science. The DOR also publishes ”IAAS Research Reports” based on research carried out under the internal as well as external funding scheme, and recently, M.Sc. Thesis Abstract covering theses of postgraduate students at IAAS.

To encourage faculties and students, IAAS DOR approves small research grants on a regular basis. DOR encourages all facility members to develop research proposals and seek, funds from any other institutions. IAAS also welcomes interested donor institutions or collaborative institutions for funding, or to conduct collaborative research that are related to the agriculture. At present, there are about 16 externally funded research projects covering plant science, animal science and plant protection measures. These projects are managed by the DOR, and have been brought to the institute as per individual faculties efforts on the competitive basis

More recently, research on client based problems are undertaken through MS and PhD thesis research in partnership with local line agencies and industries.

Crop Science Research

IAAS researches different crops such as cereals, fruits, vegetables and forest products.

The school has a strong wheat breeding program in collaboration with CIMMYT international. Wheat pathologist Dr. Sundar Man Shrestha, agronomist N. K. Chaudhary and wheat breeder Umesh R. Rosyara are involved in the program. The major objective of the program is to develop stress resistant and tolerant genotypes for environments stressful to current strains of wheat. Foliar leaf blight or spot blotch is a major biotic stress whereas other stresses include heat and drought. [http://docs.google.com/PresentationEditor?id=dhhrs3xx_0g987gwgd see stress tolerance breeding presentation]

A wheat management study team is developing a wheat for minimum or low tillage technology. Prof. Khem R. Dhahal and Prof. K.B. Basnet are leading.

Developing wild rice and rare rice genotypes for Nepalese future is Prof. L.P. Subedi's dream. He has a good collection of genotypes. Hybrid rice development is his major area of interest. He has maintained a rice kitchen garden.

There is an upland rice research program located at Lamjung Campus Sundarbazaar, located in the mid-hills of Nepal. Participatory projects are underway in collaboration with IRRI.

Among fruits, major research is being done with lemons and limes. The research group, under the leadership of Prof. Durga D. Dhakal, focuses on perennial production of lemons and limes.

First Biotechnology Laboratory in Nepal

IAAS features the first biotechnology laboratory in Nepal; this facility has laboratories which provide DNA and protein based molecular analysis. The laboratory was established with the support of world bank with initiative of Prof. R. C. Sharma. Sundarman Shrestha, U. R. Rosyara, S.K. Ghimire and M. Pandey are involved in management of the facility.

Livestock and Fish Research

The IAAS has good facility in fisheries and livestock research. The Fisheries research is led by Dr. M.K. Shrestha. Livestock and veterinary research is lead by Associate Proffessor Dr Naba Raj Devkota and faculties at Department of Animal Nutrition and Fodder production. Research there concentrates on developing technology for fattening of male buffalo calves; improving productivity of male goats, agroforestry model establishment, and carrying capacity estimation of pasture and ranges in high altitude regions of Nepal. Animal science research are also undertaken at the Department of Livestock Production Management under the leadership of Professor D.B. Nepali, and at the department of Animal Breeding and Biotechnology under the leadership of Associate Professor, Doctor Mana Raj Kolachhapati.

Links with other Institutions

IAAS has been making continuous efforts in designing and upgrading its academic activities through national or international linkages. Attempts have been made to establish academic relationship and to exchange/share scientific information for the mutual benefits of both institutions. To this effect, MOU has been signed between IAAS and several national/international institutions. Those included: CIMMYT, Agro Enterprise Centre (AEC), Department of Agriculture (DOA), Department of Livestock (DLS), Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC), ICIMOD, IMMI, Cornell University USA, University of Graz Austria, Hirosima University Japan, Writtle College England, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) Thailand, and Tufts University USA.

Lamjung Campus

The Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS), Lamjung Campus is located at Sundarbazar VDC of Lamjung district, Nepal. This institute was established as a branch of IAAS Rampur, Chitwan (Central campus) under Tribhuvan University in 1976 (2032 B.S.) with following main objectives:

* To produce middle level agricultural technicians
* To conduct farmers’ problem solving researches in agriculture and animal science suitable to mid hills of Nepal
* To provide technical assistance to the farmers in the field of agriculture and animal science

Land holding

The campus has altogether 338 ropani (282 ropani upland and 56 ropani lowland) of land in six plots. It has one horticulture, one agronomy and one livestock farm extended in 252 ropani in and around the office area. These farms are meant for production of fruits, vegetables, cereals, animals and birds and for doing practical work. The upland area includes a mango orchard and extra land around the office and residential area; about 4200 coffee plants were planted on this land during August, 2005.

Administration and Manpower

The campus chief is the head of the institute and the general administration, academic administration, account, store, library, farms, hostels and dispensary work under the chief office. In each of the above sections, there is one branch head and a varying number of workers, depending on programs. Internal management is the responsibility of the section head. Major decisions related to rules and regulations in each section are made by the meeting of section heads and related personnel headed by campus chief.

There are altogether 15 teaching staff members, 56 in administrative support in the campus. Two teachers have PhD degrees while others hold master’s degree in respective subjects. The number of teachers employed on campus is not sufficient to run the program. Therefore, at least four teachers have been brought from Rampur on a contract basis, each year. The campus also lacks workers, watchmen and lab assistants.

Buildings

The institute has
*2 administrative buildings
*1 library
*6 classrooms
*5 laboratoriesThere are other facilities like 24 dormitories and residences (1 chief, 9 senior staff, 10 junior staff and 4 lower staff), 1 guest house, 1 boys' hostel, 1 girls' hostel and 2 mess halls. Similarly, there is 1 poultry house, 1 goat shed, 2 cattle/buffalo sheds, 1 swine shed, 1 farm store, 1 auditorium hall, 1 garage and 1 dispensary.

Academic activities

During its establishment the institute used to teach one year course of I. Sc. Ag. and produced 947 middle level agricultural technicians during the period of 2032 to 2040 . The institute had started non academic JTA training program in 2041 644 JTAs were trained during the period of 2041 to 2047. Institute also started two years I. Sc. Ag. program in the year 2048 and produced 313 JTs up to 2058. In the year 2059, the institute introduced an eight semester B. Sc. Ag. program. Entrance exam is taken by dean office, Rampur and teaching is started from Ashad (June).

Besides teaching, the institute has trained a large number of farmers about modern agricultural practices. The campus has directly and indirectly boosted the economy of the farmers residing near to the campus. Farmers have also benefited from different types of agricultural projects at the campus. However, the research and extension activities have not been efficient and effective due to the lack of money.

Departments and Laboratories

*Department of Plant Science
*Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture
*Department of Social Sciences

These three departments cover subjects such as Agronomy, Plant Breeding, Genetics, Soil Science, Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Animal Science, Aquaculture, Animal Breeding, Environmental Science, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Economics, Plant Pathology and Sociology.

Research and Development Office

Research and development office is responsible for promoting research activities in the campus. The research principally focuses on mid-hill ecosystem. Upland rice research program is located at Lamjung Campus Sundarbazaar. The site is located at mid-hills of Nepal. Currently participatory projects are underway in collaboration with IRRI.

Some IAAS alumni

Political Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Prachanda, Prime Minister of Nepal (August 17, 2008) Mr. Ram Bahadur Thapa "Badal", Defense Minister of Nepal

Academic - international
* [http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/plantpath/staff/adhikari.htm Dr. Tika Bahadur Adhikari, Assistant Professor, North Dakota State University, Fargo, USA]
* [http://www.icarda.cgiar.org/ Dr. Ram C. Sharma, Scientist, Icarda International Center For Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas]
* [http://krishnapaudel.com/default.aspx Dr. Khrisha Poudel, Assistant Professor, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA]
* [http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/fletcher/staff/dpanthee/index.html Dr. Khushi Ram Tiwari, Pioneer Hi-bred, Florida, USA]
* [http://www.pssc.ttu.edu/faculty_pages/mparajulee.php Dr. Megha Nath Parajulee, Associate Professor Department of Plant and Soil Science, Campus Box 42122,Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX 79409]
* [http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/fletcher/staff/dpanthee/index.html Dr. Dillip Raj Panthee, Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor, Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Mills River, NC 28759] Dr. Ganesh Shivakoti, Professor, Asian institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand

Dr Giri Raj Kattel, Auckland University, New Zealand

Dr. Surya Prasad Bhattarai, University of Quebeck, Australia

Dr. Phul Prasad Subedi, University of Quebeck, Australia

Dr. Toya Nath Baral, DVM, Ph.D, institute of Biological Sciences, National research Council of Canada Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Dr. Bhola Kumar Dahal, DVM, Ph.D, Univerity of Giessen Lung center, Giessen,Germany

Dr. Kapildeo Sah, DVM, PhD, Associate Professor Hicast, Kathmandu, Nepal

Dr Shree Hari Gautam, DVM, PhD, Research Associate, Yale University,Yale, USA

Dr Nanda Lal Regmi, DVM, PhD, Research Associate, University of Texas,Texas,USA

Academic- IAAS based

Dr Naba Raj Devkota, Associate Professor and Director, DOR, TU/IAAS

Dr. Madhav Prasad Pande, Asst.Professor, Deputy Director, DOR, TU/IAAS

Dr. Sarada Thapaliya, PhD, Ast. Professor, Rampur Campus, IAAS/TU, Nepal

Dr.I.P Dhakal, Associate Professor, PhD, Rampur Campus, IAAS/TU, Nepal

Dr Yam Bahadaur Gurung,DVM, PhD, Ast. Professor, Rampur Campus, IAAS/TU, Nepal

Dr Krishna Kaphle (PhD,GHC), Assistant Professor (Department of Theriogenology), Hostel-Warden, Campus Coach (cricket, football), Rampur Campus, IAAS/TU, NepalD

External links

* [http://www.iaas.edu.np/ Official website]
* [http://www.iaasrampur.edu.np/ Older website of IAAS]
* [http://www.nepjol.info/index.php/JIAAS/ IAAS Journal Online]
* [http://iaas.blogsome.com/ Informal blog to talk about IAAS, especially for alumni, students, teachers, staff and friends of IAAS] See also
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crop_breeding_in_Nepal Crop Breeding research in Nepal]