The first review meeting of VIII Quinquennial Review Team (QRT) of CRIDA-AICRPDA-AICRPAM (2018-2022)was held at ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad during 10-11 January, 2024 under the Chairmanship of Prof. Panjab Singh, Former Secretary, DARE &DG, ICAR. The meeting was attended by Dr. A.K. Singh, Former VC, RVSKVV, Dr. V.M. Bhale, Former VC, Dr.PDKV, Akola, Dr. Indra Mani, VC, VNMKV and Dr. P. Ramasundaram, Former NC, NAHEP, ICAR. Dr. V. K. Singh, Director, ICAR-CRIDA welcomed QRT and presented overview of the salient achievements of research, extension, HRD, new initiatives, technologies developed, collaborations etc. Dr. G. Ravindra Chary, Member Secretary, presented the Action Taken Report on the recommendations of VII QRT. This was followed by presentations by Heads, Project Coordinators, Scientists-In-charge, PIs and nodal officers on the salient achievements and future programmes of Divisions, AICRPs, NICRA, KVK, and outreach ptogrammes viz. FFP, SCSP, TSP.

Prof. Panjab Singh, Chairman, QRT emphasized that CRIDA should technically support Central /State programmes and convergence with Institutions, multidisciplinary teams and integrate technologies/models developed into relevant central/state govt. programmes for wider up scaling and to study the economic impact of dry land technologies developed. Dr.A.K. Singh suggested that to quantify the impact of dryland technologies. Dr. V.M. Bhale suggested strengthening rainfed farming systems research with animal component. Dr.Indra Mani advised that CRIDA should popularize rainfed crop based technologies and further strengthen the partnerships with various stakeholders. Dr. P. Ramasundaram suggested to synergise the collaboration between agril.economics and agril. extension for the outreach programmes in CRIDA.

   
The QRT visited Hayathnagar Research Farm and KVK of CRIDA and reviewed on-going experiments under various thematic areas including climate change research under FATE and CTGC, farm machinery/implements developed, infrastructure facilities developed, services provided to farmers through seed hub, Integrated bioresources development centre and demonstrations in KVK. The QRT also visited various labs, library, dryland gallery and other facilities at CRIDA.