Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science Rampur, Nepal

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The Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS) is the only Agricultural institute under Tribhuvan University in Nepal for providing higher-level academic 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). 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 Rampur Campus at Rampur, Chitwan, Lamjung Campus at Sundarbazar, Lamjung, and Paklihawa Campus at Paklihawa, Rupendehi.

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

IAAS main administrative building, Rampur

1 Research
2 Crop Science Research
3 First Biotechnology Laboratory in Nepal
4 Livestock and Fish Research
5 Links with other Institutions
6 Lamjung Campus
7 Land holding
8 Administration and Manpower
9 Buildings
10 Academic activities
11 Departments and Laboratories
12 Research and Development Office
13 Some IAAS alumini
14 External links

[edit] 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.

[edit] Crop Science Research

IAAS has different research in different crops which include cereal crops, fruits, vegetables, commercial crops and forest products.

Wheat breeding program in collaboration with CIMMYT international, South Asia is one of the example of strong program. Currently known wheat pathologist Dr. Sundar Man Shrestha, Agronoist N. K. Chaudhary and wheat breeder Umesh R. Rosyara are involved in the program. The major objective of the program is to develop stress resistance and tolerance genotypes for wheat stressed environments. Foliar leaf blight or spot blotch is major biotic stress whereas other stresses include heat and drought. see stress tolerance breeding presentation

CIMMYT wheat pathologist Dr. Duveiller and Rosyara at a spot blotch screening nursery at Rampur Photo: Rosyara.

Wheat management study team is involved in development of wheat for minimum or low tillage technology. Prof. Khem R. Dhahal and Prof. K.B. Basnet are leading.

Loading gels:biotechnology laboratory activity Photo: Rosyara.

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

Upland rice research program is located at Lamjung Campus Sundarbazaar. The site is located in mid-hills of Nepal. Currently participatory projects are underway in collaboration with IRRI.

Participatory Upland Rice Research at Lamjung Campus, Sundarbazaar

Among fruits major research is carried out in lemon and lime. The research group is in the leadership of Prof. Durga D. Dhakal. The group focuses on perennial production of lemon and lime.

[edit] First Biotechnology Laboratory in Nepal

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

[edit] Livestock and Fish Research

The IAAS has good facility in fisheries and livestock research. The Fisheries research is leaded by Dr. M.K. Shrestha. Similarly livestock and veterinary research is lead by Prof. D.B. Nepali Prof. D.B. Nepali and Prof. I.P. Dhakal.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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

Lamjung Campus, Sundarbazaar

[edit] Land holding

The campus has altogether 338 ropani (282 ropani upland and 56 ropani lowland) of land which are scattered in six places. 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. In about 50 ropani of upland area (including mango orchard and wastage land around the office and residential area) about 4200 coffee plants were planted during August, 2005.

The panoramic view from Lamjung, Sundar Bazaar,Nepal

[edit] Administration and Manpower

Campus chief is the head of the institute and the general administration, academic administration, account, store, library, farms, hostels and dispensary work under chief office. In each of the above sections, there is one branch head and one to few workers, as per the requirement. 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 staffs,56 administrative staffs in the campus. Two teachers have PhD degree while others hold master’s degree in respective subjects. Existing number of teachers in the campus is not sufficient to run the program. Therefore, at least four teachers have been brought form Rampur in contract basis, each year. The campus also lacks workers, watchmen and lab boys.

[edit] Buildings

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

[edit] 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. Therefore the campus has directly and indirectly boosted up the economy of the farmers residing near to the campus. In addition to this, farmers are also benefited by different types of agricultural projects at the campus. However, the research and extension activities has not been efficient and effective due to the lack of money.

[edit] Departments and Laboratories

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

These three departments have diverse manpower in Agronomy, Plant Breeding, Genetics, Soil Science, Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Animal Science, Aquaculature, Animal Breeding, Environmental Science, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Economics, Plant Pathology and Sociology.

[edit] 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.