FUNCTIONS
Functions
Major activities of the centres include development of varieties and hybrids best suited for different agro-climatic zones, development of viable and economical agro-techniques for realizing maximum yields from improved cultivars besides development of economic and effective pest and disease management practices under different agro-ecological conditions. In addition to the development of cotton production and protection technologies, AICRP on Cotton is actively involved in Front-Line Demonstrations on improved technologies and also organising Kisan Melas for effective and speedy dissemination of newer technologies. From 2011-12 on wards Tribal Sub Plan – A programme targeting the cotton farmers from Schedule Tribes has been initiated. In addition, the cotton Breeder seed production is also monitored through AICRP on Cotton.
Management & Administration
Coordination and general administration of AICRP on Cotton Centers: Director of CICR is entrusted with responsibility for coordination of research projects and is assisted by the five Principal Investigators – Plant Breeding, Agronomy, Entomology, Plant Pathology and fiber technology along with technical cell. Administrative control of various centers rests with the concerned State Agricultural University.
Monitoring Team: Separate Monitoring Teams of Scientists are constituted for each zone annually to visit all the experiments being conducted under different disciplines and monitor the on-going research programme under AICRP on Cotton. Breeder Seed production plots and Front-Line Demonstrations are also monitored. The Monitoring Teams also visit the Private Seed Industry research farms, which participate in testing of hybrids in coordinated hybrid trials. The Team submits their reports to Director CICR and recommendations / suggestions made by the teams are discussed at the Annual Group Meeting of AICRP on Cotton to decide on necessary follow-up action.
Annual Group Meetings: All the cotton scientists and senior officials involved in the AICRP on Cotton meet every year to review the results of various projects carried out and to plan the research programmes for the ensuing year. The results of various trials conducted are reviewed, discussed and analyzed and technical programme for ensuing year finalized. Experts / Scientists from Institutions related to cotton research and development, representatives of State Seed Corporations, Agro-chemicals & Pesticide Companies, and Private Seed Research Companies, representatives of user industries namely textile mills, officials of Directorate of Cotton Development, functionaries of Departments of Agriculture of various cotton growing states, and officials from Ministry of Agriculture are also invited for discussion on the issues related to cotton research and development. The Group Meeting serves as a genuine forum of Public-Private Sector partnership in solving the problems in cotton production in the country.
Distribution and Discussion of Annual reports: Annual reports compiled by the Director, CICR with detailed reports from respective Principal Investigators of major disciplines collected from different AICRP on Cotton centers and technological report on quality parameters on the various entries tested in AICRP on Cotton trials circulated by the Director, CIRCOT are presented and discussed during Annual Group Meeting.
Review of Experimental Results: Review of experimental results and planning for the following years are carried out keeping in mind the mandates and performance of trials in the particular year and overall, in the past three years in different location. Based on the results reported, overall performance and discussion, decisions are made regarding new entries for initial trials, promotion of entries for advanced trials, and formulation of technical programme for the ensuing year. Decisions are also taken regarding the conclusion of on-going trials or starting of new trials in various disciplines concerned with crop production and plant protection after thorough deliberations and included in the proceedings of the Annual Group Meeting.
Planning for Breeder Seed Production: The AICRP on Cotton Scientists, particularly the breeders, have taken up this enormous task of maintaining the purity of released superior cotton varieties and parental lines of hybrids and ensured the production of quality breeder seeds. Based on indents received from various seed production agencies and State Departments of Agriculture, received through Indian Council of Agricultural Research, the breeder seed production plan and programme are drawn up for the following year and assigned to different centres. Problems faced during the previous year are also discussed.
Varietal Identification Committee: The Varietal Identification Committee is constituted by the Deputy Director General (Crop Sciences) as per the norms at the time of AICRP on Cotton Annual Group Meeting. This Committee meets during the Annual Group Meeting and after scrutiny of the proposals received from both the public and private sector R&D Centers, makes the decisions regarding identification of cotton varieties and hybrids for release.
Planning for Front Line Demonstrations: The varieties / hybrids to be included in FLDs are decided considering the seed availability and area of adaptation recommended by the Workshop. The proceedings are drawn up accordingly indicating the responsibility for supplying the seed, and organizing the FLDs by the AICRP on Cotton Centers.