Hyderabad, August 2026: 

The ICAR–National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (ICAR–NAARM), Hyderabad, organised its four-day Pre-Research Advisory Committee (Pre-RAC) Meeting from August 8 to 11, 2026, to deliberate on the Academy's research programmes, priorities and future directions.

The meeting was chaired by Dr Devesh Chaturvedi, IAS, Former Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, and Chairman of the Research Advisory Committee (RAC).

Research Priorities and Future Directions Discussed

The meeting began on August 8 with a welcome address by Dr V. Ramasubramanian, Head, Research Systems Management (RSM) Division and Member Secretary, RAC.

This was followed by an overview of the Academy's activities and ongoing research initiatives presented by Dr Raman Meenakshi Sundaram, Director, ICAR–NAARM.

The four-day deliberations provided a platform to review the Academy's research agenda and identify areas where its research and capacity-building programmes could deliver greater relevance and impact to India's agricultural sector.

Focus on Impact Studies of Government Schemes

During the concluding session, Dr Devesh Chaturvedi highlighted the importance of conducting impact studies on Central Sector Schemes.

He noted that systematic impact assessment could help demonstrate ICAR–NAARM's research capabilities while strengthening the Academy's contribution to the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

Such research can also provide evidence on the effectiveness and outcomes of agricultural programmes and help inform future policy and implementation strategies.

Digital Skills for Agricultural Scientists

Another key area highlighted during the meeting was the need to strengthen training programmes for scientists in social media and digital technologies.

Dr Chaturvedi emphasised that improving digital communication capabilities among agricultural scientists could help facilitate the wider and more effective dissemination of agricultural knowledge to farmers.

With digital platforms increasingly becoming important channels for agricultural information, strengthening scientists' capacity to communicate research findings through these platforms can help bridge the gap between scientific institutions and farming communities.

Expanding Training for Officials and Agricultural Universities

Dr Chaturvedi also advised ICAR–NAARM to expand its training and capacity-building programmes for officials of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs).

The programmes, he suggested, should be designed around the emerging needs and requirements of these institutions and their personnel.

Such targeted capacity-building initiatives are expected to strengthen institutional capabilities and support more effective management of agricultural research, education and development programmes.

Strategic Direction for ICAR–NAARM

The discussions during the Pre-RAC meeting are expected to provide strategic direction for strengthening ICAR–NAARM's research and training activities.

The emphasis on impact assessment, digital communication, institutional capacity building and demand-driven training reflects the need for agricultural research and management institutions to respond to changing requirements in India's agricultural sector.

The outcomes of the deliberations are expected to contribute to enhancing the effectiveness and impact of ICAR–NAARM's research, training and capacity-building initiatives in support of agricultural research and development.

Source: ICAR–National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (ICAR–NAARM), Hyderabad