National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP), ICAR and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) organized a two day workshop on ‘Impact of capacity building programs under NAIP’ on June 6-7, 2014 at AP Shinde Auditorium, NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi. The main purpose of the workshop was to present and discuss the findings of the impact evaluation study on capacity building programs under NAIP by IFPRI. The scientists from ICAR and agricultural universities were sent abroad to receive training in specialized research techniques. Post-training, scientists were expected to work on collaborative projects within the ICAR, which would further enrich their knowledge and skills, expand their research network and stimulate them’ to improve their productivity, creativity and quality of their research. The ICAR commissioned with IFPRI (International Food Policy Research Institute) to undertake an evaluation of these capacity building programs under NAIP in July 2012. The workshop shared the findings on the impact of capacity building programs under NAIP and evolve strategies for future capacity building programs

2. Albert Einstein

3. • Mechanization of agriculture was
considered one of the top ten
engineering achievements of the
previous century
• The incorporation of electronics and
control systems will be one of the next
great achievement in ag equipment
Vision document: ASABE

4. Sensor Based Applications
including Bio-indicators
Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering
University of California, Davis
22.04.2010 to 20.07.2010 (3 months)
P. K. Sahoo
(sahoopk_1965@rediffmail.com)
Division of Agricultural Engineering
Indian Agricultural research Institute
Pusa, New Delhi-110012

5. Research Work undertaken/techniques
learned during training
Machine vision system for VRA
Automatic weed controller

6. Wireless sensor network for precision fertigation
• Problem - variability in soil, elevation, genetics, plant type,
localized pest/disease
• Goal : site-specific control
– divide field into smaller management units
• Valve wiring - time, cost, connectors,
damage, max length, retrofit difficult
Wireless control
• Application in nurseries, landscapes,
greenhouses, orchards, vineyards

7. Field Controller
Node #1
Node #2
Node #5
Node #4
Node #6
Node #3
Mesh Network
Example

8. Wireless Node Prototypes
Ni-Cd battery
Wireless module (MICA 2)
I/O terminals
Latching valve
Dipole antenna
Solar panel

9. Fertigation Uniformity Tests

10. Site-specific fertigation with a wireless
irrigation control network
Robert Coates, Pramod K. Sahoo, Michael Delwiche
ASABE Annual Meeting 2010
Paper #1009246
Fertigation techniques for use with multiple
hydrozones in simultaneous operation
Robert Coates, Pramod K. Sahoo,
Lawrence J. Schwankl, Michael Delwiche
Precision Agric
DOI 10.1007/s11119-011-9239-0

11. Teaching: Machinery Systems for
Precision Agriculture (M.Tech. & Ph.D. students)
National Training on “Sensor based application for
enhancing input use efficiency by wireless irrigation
and fertigation control” (14.02.2012 to 27.02.2012)
Resource Person in NAIP sponsored training on “Enhancing the
input application efficiency by using precision farm machines,
remote and ground sensor” at PAU, Ludhiana (14th–23rd Nov.,
2011)
Resource Person in the International Training Programme on
“Application of Remote Sensing & GIS in Agricultural Surveys”
held at IASRI, New Delhi (8th Jan. to 7th Feb., 2012 and 24th Jan. to
13th Feb., 2013)

12. Sensor based application for enhancing input use
efficiency by wireless irrigation and fertigation control
Trainees from: 6 states (Delhi, UP, Karnataka, Rajasthan, J&K and Meghalaya)
4 ICAR Institutes (IARI, IISR, DMR, ICAR Res. Complex for NEH)
3 SAUs (MPUAT, Udaipur; UAS, Raichur; SKUAST, Kashmir, J&K)
7 Disciplines (SWCE, Agronomy, FMP, Soil Science, Horticulture,
Soil Physics, SCAC)
Faculty: International
Dr.S.K.Upadhyaya, Professor & Advisor PG Studies
Biological and Agricultural Engineering, UC Davis, California
ICAR Institutes: IARI; NCIPM; CIAE, Bhopal; IISR, Calicut
CDAC, Hyderabad
NCPAH, MoA, GOI
Netafim Irrigation Ltd; Jain Irrigation Pvt. Ltd; Metos India Pvt. Ltd;
Trimble Systems; Harvel Irrigation Pvt. Ltd; Automat Industries

13. Impact Assessment of the National Training
Research Projects:
Sensor based application of N in wheat crop
Precision input applications using plant and soil sensors in major
cropping systems in different ecological regions of India
Development of wireless sensors based variable rate applicator for
precise application of water and fertilizers
Precision input applications in crops and cropping systems using plant
and soil sensors in different eagro-climatic regions of India
Students’ thesis:
Development of sensor based scheduling in micro-irrigation system
Development of indigenous sensor network based irrigation system
for improving agricultural water productivity
Design and Development of metering system for variable rate fertilizer
applicator