Review of post-graduate research in agriculture (1973-1984): Are we building appropriate skills for tomorrow?

Abstract

Post Graduate Research has been an important source of generating technological breakthrough in social as well as natural sciences. The skills for solving problem of 21st century have to be created now. We have reviewed all the abstracts of PGR reported to Haryana Agricultural University Journal of Abstracts of the period 1973-1984 (n=1817). Five disciplines via, Genetics and Plant Breeding (n=242), Economics, Sociology and Extension (1229), and Agronomy (376) were selected for analysing theses abstracts from the point of view of area, method, purpose, commodity/ crop etc. of the study. Despite various limitations of the data, several vital research gaps emerge. We have specifically focused on the importance attached to the problem of rainfed/ dry farming regions. Suggestions have been made for (a) making research on risky problems more attractive for students by modifying degree granting system and providing attractive fellowships, (b) periodically reviewing PGR so that corrective measures can be taken, (c) encourage research on research process itself, and linkage between on-station and on-farm research. Some other problems which need urgent attention are: crop-livestock interactions, institution building for common property resources as well as private resources under watershed development; problems of pastoralists rearing small and large ruminants, effects of stress fodder on post-drought performance of livestock; hand tools, conjunctive use of organic and inorganic fertilizer, breeding for low input environment as well as for grain and fodder quality and quantity; screening under inter or mixed crop environments for crops that are predominantly sown under such conditions; longitudinal research on ecological systems including watershed, household adjustment with risks in different agro-climatic zones etc.