Progress 07/01/08 to 06/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Students enrolled in Universities and academic institutions in the US and India. Farmers, rural and urban agricultural communities. Faculty and other members of academic community interested in agricultural development. Universities and Research Institutes. Administrators responsible for planning, designing and implementing agricultural development. National agricultural research systems and economic policy makers. Public health departments and rural and economic development agencies. Changes/Problems: One change since the start of our project included Team Building of Project Investigators. Drs. Kelly Zering and Paul Bergey were added to the team of investigators on this project. Dr. Zering brought expertise in the area of agricultural economics, agricultural extension and global agricultural practices. Dr. Bergey’s experience in business management and predicting value chain supply and demand economic models was invaluable. Both their expertise strengthened the teams capabilities in agricultural extension and business aspects of the project. In 2010, Dr. Arasu, lead PI on this project, joined Washington State University (sub-award) and remained a significant contributor to the success of this project. Dr. Arasu provided the initiative for this award while at NC State and her move to WSU brought another team of experts from WSU to this project. Our Assessment. This project has allowed the development of teams of experts from NC State and Washington State University to interact, collaborate and exchange information with several institutions in India. It provided a platform for us to better understand the academic and research needs and potential that exist between the two countries. Without the financial assistance from this award student and faculty exchanges, workshops and conferences and signing of MoU’s would not have been possible. We are happy with the progress we made so far and look forward to additional seed money/baseline funding needed to continue building the relationship in expectation of securing more sustainable long term funding support. We are seeking that additional seed money now as well as identifying sources for longer term sustainable funding. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Two Study Abroad student trips one led by Dr. Arasu and the other by Dr. Freitag from NC State provided students the opportunity to visit India and engage in research and extension activities at leading institutes. Three senior level scientists were funded by India to engage in career development and research activities at NC State University. This project has allowed the investigators a tremendous insight into the complexities of the agricultural system in India. Our continued interaction with high level officials in the Indian Ministry of Agriculture, Universities, Companies and NGO’s, as well as various agricultural organizations and farmers at the community level has earned us the respect and trust of our Indian counterparts. The NC State delegation visit to India in July, 2013 led by our Chancellor is a major breakthrough with the Indian Ministry of Agriculture. We hope this visit will open doors to continued support for our India Initiative and promote further exchange of scientists, faculty and students. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Conferences and workshops. Study Abroad trips by student groups. Faculty engagement and visits to rural agricultural communities. Scientist exchange program. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
As a direct consequence of our activities over the past 5 years under this project the Chancellor of North Carolina State University has been invited to India on July 16, 2013. The Indian Ministry of Agriculture extended the invitation to address a meeting to be attended by Shri Pranab Mukherjee, President of India and Indian Agricultural University Vice Chancellors and Research Institute Directors (more than 70 institutions) in the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) system. India is looking to enter into a formal collaboration with NC State University for student and faculty exchange and develop research programs of mutual interest. Conference “Environment Across the Disciplines: Perspectives from India and Beyond”. 2013. A 3 day Conference organized at NC State. Keynote Speaker - Dr. K. Balakrishnan, Director WHO, Chennai, India. Other speakers, Dr. M. Kang, former VC, Punjab Agricultural University, scientists from US and South Africa, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Duke and the RTI International. Obama Singh Initiative Proposal. 2012. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) provided a letter of collaboration for a proposal submitted by NC State University. MoU’s with ICAR, Institute of Chemical Technology and Punjab Agricultural University. Deputy Director General of ICAR visited North Carolina and signed a MoU with NC State University. Master’s in Global Development Practice Course. NC State leveraged with Teri University on the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Project. In 2010, NC State faculty delivered a course module on Science and Technology for Global Sustainability (STS) at TERI University. Students enrolled in the course came from India and neighboring countries including, Bhutan and Nepal. In 2011, the same course in Science and Technology for Global Sustainability was offered to students at NC State. Seminar series. We organized several independent seminar and brown bag series engaging students, faculty and expert partners from the US, North Carolina and visiting scholars from India (2009 – 2012). Faculty and Scientist Training. The World Bank program through Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) funded the training of 3 Senior Scientists from India at NC State. Study Abroad Student Visits. NC State student groups traveled to India and visited research institutes, NGO’s and government organizations (2009 – 2012). Faculty exchange visits. Faculty teams traveled every year (2008 – 2013) to engage in a dialogue with high level Indian government officials, university administrators, research directors, student organizations and NGO’s. Major Industry partners located in the Research Triangle Park (RTP) area in North Carolina met and discussed opportunities for research and development in India with Indian counterparts including University administrators and officials in the ministry of Indian agriculture. The industries included Monsanto, Syngenta, BASF and the North Carolina Biotech Center.
Publications
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Progress 07/01/11 to 06/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In March 2012, three faculty members from NC State University visited India. Faculty members included Drs. Kelly Zering and Vivek Fellner (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences) and Paul Bergey (College of Management). Activities in India: We met with Dr. Ayyappan, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Research and Education (DARE) and Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural research (ICAR) in New Delhi. We also met his team of deputy director generals covering various disciplines within agriculture including animal husbandry, dairy science, soils and crops and aquaculture. We proposed a formal NC State - ICAR partnership. We extended an invitation to the Secretary to visit NC State University. We were hosted by Dr. Prasad, Director, National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology (NIANP) at his institution in Bangalore. We spent 2 days in Bangalore visiting their research facility and interacting with their scientists. In collaboration with scientists at NIANP we prepared a proposal for consideration by ICAR to conduct a forum in Bangalore in 2013. The title of the forum is "Application of Nutraceuticals for Livestock Health and Production". This forum will be funded entirely by ICAR and will include expenses for NC State faculty to travel and present seminars in India. We met with Dr. A.K. Srivastava, Director, National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) and with Dr. Jancy Gupta, Professor & Ex- Head, Dairy Extension Division National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana. We interacted with faculty and scientists at TERI University and TERI Institute to continue our discussions on collaborative research and teaching activities. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Vivek Fellner (PI) and Dr. Kelly Zering Scientist Training Dr. Singh, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Jammu and Dr. Samanta, National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology (NIANP) Funds for training for both scientists were provided by the Indian Council of Agricultural research (ICAR). Training occurred in the PI's lab at NC State University. Partner Institutions Department of Agriculture, Research and Education (DARE) and Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), India. Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Jammu. National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology (NIANP, Bangalore, India. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Indian Scientist Training. 2011. Two Senior Scientists, Dr. Singh, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Jammu and Dr. Samanta, National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology (NIANP) were sent to my lab for a 3 month research project. All funds were provided by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Memorandum of Understanding Agreement. 2012. March 2012. A Memorandum of Understanding was extended to NC State by Dr. Ayyappan, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Research and Education (DARE) and Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). October 2012. Deputy Director, Dr. Pathak and Director Dr. Prasad were hosted by NC State University as representatives of ICAR. Forum talk by ICAR titled "NC State and ICAR collaborations". Formal ICAR meeting with NC State Officials: Dr. Bailian Li, Vice Provost for International Affairs. Dr. Terri Lomax, Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation Dr. Richard Linton, Dean College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Dr. Randy Avent, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor, Research Development Dr. Steven Lommel, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research and Director of North Carolina Agricultural Research Service Mr. Michael Bustle, Associate Vice Provost for International Affairs and Director of the Global Training Initiative. Dr. Marian McCord, Director of Global Health Initiatives ICAR Officials met with Dr. Randy Woodson, Chancellor, NC State University And MAITRI - NC State Indian Graduate Student Association. MOU Signing Ceremony, October 22, 2012. Dr. Warwick Arden, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor. Study Abroad 2012. A study abroad group of students from NC State University visited an ICAR Research Institute. National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology (NIANP), Bangalore, India.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 07/01/10 to 06/30/11
Outputs
Building Team at NC State. Dr. Paul Bergey (College of Management) and Dr. Kelly Zering (College of Agricultural and Life Sciences) were faculty approved by USDA and added to our USDA ISE team increasing our interdisciplinary focus. In January, 2010 faculty visited India to explore interdisciplinary expertise for collaboration in research and education in the area of sustainable development as it relates to livestock and poultry production, biofuels, and environmental and public health. Our delegation comprised of experts in microbiology, infectious diseases, public health, bio and agricultural engineering, economics, business management and policy. List of Institutions visited: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI); National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI); Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Science University (GADVASU); Punjab Agricultural University (PAU); Public Health Foundation of India; G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology; Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI); National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi. Dr. Manjit Singh Kang, Vice-Chancellor, PAU visited Pullman, WA, in July, 2010. The same month, Dr. Kang, visited NCSU to explore opportunities for future research and teaching collaborations. We hosted Dr. Kang and planned visits to Syngenta, and BASF in the Research Triangle Park to to discuss potential future collaborative projects between the companies, NC State and PAU. Dr. Kang was hosted at a dinner by PAU alumni at NC State and in the RTP area. In March, 2011 Dr. Prema Arasu visited India to participate in discussions at TERI and Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) with Dr. Manish Kakkar and Dr. Nadeem from Bangalore. This was a small group meeting organized by PHFI to further India-specific linkages on zoonotic diseases/agriculture. In August, 2010, Dr. Fellner (PI) traveled across various states in India to trouble-shoot indigenous issues faced by dairy farmers using proven technology in the US. He presented several talks both at industry forums as well as at symposiums held at the University. He met with industry personnel, government officials, faculty and politicians. The trip provided an excellent opportunity to build bridges across various institutions and develop continued research and technical collaborations between India and the US. A delegation from Washington State University visited Punjab Agricultural University, March 16-19 resulting in a formal signing of an agreement between WSU and PAU for training of PhD students and exchange of faculty. In January 2011, Dr. Sharma-Shivappa hosted a World Bank NAIP Fellow sponsored by ICAR for a period of 3 months. In May, 2011 Dr. Fellner hosted a scientist from Jammu and Kashmir University for a three month period. Dr. Rajiv Singh received financial support from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research to conduct research in Dr. Fellner's lab. In September, 2011, Dr. Fellner will host another senior scientist from the National Institute of Animal Nutrition & Physiology, Bangalore, India. Dr. Samanta also received approval and financial support from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research to conduct research for a three month period. PRODUCTS: A workshop was convened at TERI Institute entitled Approaches to the practice of sustainable development: livestock and poultry production, biofuels, and environmental and public health. Workshop identified new instructional tools and curriculum development, cross-disciplinary research collaborations based on existing linkages on renewable energy sources, and development of a long term community project for implementation of technologies and formulation of best practices. Online web sites and teaching tools at NC State to promote engagement and collaboration across faculty. OUTCOMES: Established research and educational links with several institutes and Universities in India that include: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI); Punjab Agricultural University (PAU); National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Science University (GADVASU). Research collaboration with Dr. Jancy Gupta, dairy scientistand department head at GADVASU. Dr. Gupta has collaborated with Dr. Correa on the creation of course content for Dr. Gupta's participatory methods course (delivered face to face) and for Dr. Correa's online course on participatory methods. Dr. Gupta also collaborated with Dr. Fellner on a grant submission to the World Health Organization for research on the use of anaerobic digestion technology as a sustainable and viable technology for use of waste for energy. Several members of the faculty have been engaged with discussions with local companies to promote the use of waste materials for energy generation. These relationships have resulted in the submission of several grant proposals to various funding agencies. Continued engagement with Research Triangle Energy Consortium Energy Forum (Vikram Rao) and the NC Biofuels Center. Dr. Fellner's visit to India resulted in Macro Dairy Ventures Private Limited (MDVL), one of the largest dairies in India interest to solicit services of Dairy Records Management Systems, at NC State, for data management and record keeping. Macro dairy plans to house 20,000 milking cows and 15,000 heifers and calves at various locations. This would be the first venture for DRMS in India. Interaction with local businesses, companies and overseas partners resulted in several grant preparations with NC State as the lead institution collaborating with industry, government and faculty from various institutions including Washington State University (Shulin Chen) Colorado State University (Shawn Archibeque) and Cornell University (Curt Gooch). We prepared a USAID grant in collaboration with Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) in Greensboro. Due to the extremely short deadline the grant was not submitted however the team is preparing to re-fine and re-submit at the next solicitation. August 2011: Submission of bioenergy proposal to Department of Energy (Shulin Chen as PI) specific to US/India initiative; Prema as co-PI on this submission to cover international linkages. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Website development for faculty and interested individuals to engage in activities on this project. Forum designed to bring experts from US and India and discuss issues related to sustainable agriculture, energy and health. FUTURE INITIATIVES: 2011 Forum on Global Health, Biofuel and Agricultural Sustainability We are planning a Forum titled Building Bridges for a Prosperous Future: Energy, Health, and Sustainability. The tentative date for the one day event is March, 2012. The intent is to invite several national and international experts in various fields related with Biofuels, Global health and Ag Sustainability. Faculty visit to India to capitalize on strengthening links with research institutions and universities to further educational development exercises and grant workmanship. Another major object will be to continue dialogue for exchange of scientists between NC State and other institutes in India.
Impacts
Provided critical links between faculty at NC State and other experts in North Carolina and India. Partnerships between faculty to develop educational and research projects. Essential face-to-face discussions with Indian faculty to collaborate on future grants and proposals.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 07/01/09 to 06/30/10
Outputs
In year 2 of the project, progress on the four goals was as follows: (1) Faculty delegation to India in January 2010 that included Drs. Vivek Fellner, Maria Correa, Prema Arasu and two USDA approved NCSU faculty who provided additional expertise to the overall goals of the project: Dr. Kelly Zering (Agricultural and Resource Economics, NCSU College of Agriculture) and Dr. Paul Bergey (Innovative Management and modeling of economics of biofuels, NCSU College of Management). The two week trip included discussions and seminars with scientists at TERI Institute and TERI University, as well as Public Health Foundation of India in New Delhi, National Dairy Research Institute in Karnal, Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana and G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in Pantnagar. All institutions are partners on the project and NCSU faculty further developed discussions for collaboration on interdisciplinary subjects. Seminars were given at each of the location by all members of the NCSU faculty delegation. In addition, Prema Arasu, PI, visited the Karnataka Veterinary College in Bangalore and Dr. Nadeem Fairoze presented his plan for developing a model biodigestor unit in Bangalore; he traveled to New Delhi to join the NCSU delegation in its discussions with TERI Institute scientists for potential collaborative projects. (2) Seminar series included attendance at the Research Triangle Energy Consortium seminar (3) Course development discussions were spearheaded by Dr. Maria Correa (co-PI) to include distance education courses with the GADVASU Veterinary and Animal Science University in Ludhiana (located next to Punjab Ag University) and with Dr. Kakkar at PHFI on public health/epidemiology courses. (4) Dr. Manjit Singh Kang, Vice Chancellor of Punjab Ag University and professor of Plant sciences, reciprocated the NCSU faculty visit to his university with a July 2010 visit to NCSU and to WSU. This helped to further the development of south-east to north-west inter-institutional collaborations between NC State University, Washington State University and Punjab Agricultural University (USDA approved a subaward on this project to Arasu who is now employed at WSU). PRODUCTS: Products include the website, courses and seminars as well as materials from the January 2010 visit to India. On line courses are offered through NC State University. OUTCOMES: Seminars have been conducted and increasing numbers of participants have been noted for this cross-disciplinary focus including development of faculty discussions between NC State University and Washington State University with key partner institutions in India. Proposals have been developed for review by private sector sponsors in North Carolina (to develop model biodigestors). DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: A website was developed through the ning social network tool and has been subscribed by several members. Courses have also been developed and seminars have been given in North Carolina and in India. FUTURE INITIATIVES: The NCSU project is now directed by Dr. Vivek Fellner (through 2012) and the subaward to WSU is directed by Dr. Prema Arasu (through 2012). Both university teams are planning for student/faculty trips as well as the joint NC-India forum.
Impacts
The USDA ISE project will position the PIs on this award for other competitive awards e.g. through USAID. Tools generated such as the courses, website, seminar slides will facilitate information dissemination and inter institutional collaborations
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 07/01/08 to 06/30/09
Outputs
There were 4 goals for year 1 of the project and progress was as follows: (1) Seminar series (accomplished as per proposal timeline) Three seminars were held at North Carolina State University including October 14th 2008 (Dr. Barry Steevens from University of Missouri; host Dr. Vivek Fellner, co-PI), February, 4th 2009 (Dr. Manish Kakkar from Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI); cooperator on this award; host Dr. Prema Arasu, PI); April 22nd, 2009 (Dr. Krishna Mohan from Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, India; co-operator on this award; host Dr. Isabel Gimeno, co-PI). The seminars have been well attended and included faculty and students from NC State as well as other agencies. In addition, Prema Arasu, PI, attended and presented a seminar on food allergies at the annual meeting of the Indian Association of Veterinary Public Health Specialists, held on November 17-19, 2008, at the G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology and organized by Dr. S. P. Singh (cooperator on this award). Attending that meeting were several other cooperators including Dr. Nadeem Fairoze (Karnataka Ag and Veterinary University) and colleagues from Punjab Agricultural University and GADVASU Veterinary University. During that visit to India, Dr. Arasu also visited a community village in Jagdishpur (near Lucknow) together with colleagues at TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute, India) and investigated their use of manure for methane fuel production as well as agricultural and health issues. She also visited with TERI's University and Institute, and PHFI headquarters in New Delhi. (2) Course development Progress has also been made in course development. Dr. Maria Correa (co-PI) has developed distance education courses including 'Agricultural Systems: Organic versus Conventional systems'. We are also collaborating with Dr. Kakkar at PHFI on public health course exchange. Dr. Gimeno has developed a course on 'Poultry Diseases' with Dr. Oscar Fletcher also at NC State. Future courses in other areas are being planned. (3) Student/faculty trip to India Due to the budget crisis which has impacted the state of North Carolina as well as NC State University, departmental and college funds for travel, particularly international travel, are no longer available. The PI (Arasu) submitted a request and received approval for full expenses to be covered through this award to facilitate student and faculty travel. As such, no trips were accomplished in year 1 but trips are being strategically planned for year 2 to accomplish the proposed goals. (4) Website development Dr. Maria Correa (co-PI) coordinated the development of a 'ning' social network/interactive portal entitled 'Agriculture, Environment, Global Health' (http://aeg-india-northcarolina.ning.com/). Several partners have subscribed to this site which contains seminar slides, blogs, events and articles (including media reports relevant to our work such as the CNN report describing cow manure for methane production (http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/07/31/cow.power/index.html). PRODUCTS: Products include the website, courses and seminars. The video tape of Dr. Kakkar's seminar on Feb 4th, 2009 and slides of others seminars slides are uploaded on our AEG website. On line courses are offered through NC State University (Dr. Maria Correa, instructor) OUTCOMES: Faculty and students from North Carolina and India have engaged through the Ning web portal. Seminars have been conducted and increasing numbers of participants have been noted for this cross-disciplinary focus. Students in civil engineering at NC State University submitted an EPA (P3) proposal for a multidisciplinary project on agriculture/waste management/water for work at the Jagdishpur village project with TERI; unfortunately this was not funded. Additionally, the PI submitted an IUSSTF proposal, leveraging USDA ISE funds' to conduct a 'sustainable development' workshop in India with TERI University but this was also not funded. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: A website was developed through the ning social network tool and has been subscribed by several members. Courses have also been developed and seminars have been given in North Carolina and in India. FUTURE INITIATIVES: A student/faculty trip is planned for year 2 of the project in addition to continued seminars and engagement of other state agencies such as the Biofuels Center of North Carolina. In addition, we are planning to participate in 'Biofuels Day', a public outreach event in Willamstown (October 2009). A joint NC-India forum is planned for year 3 of the project.
Impacts
The USDA ISE project will position the PIs on this award for other competitive awards e.g. through USAID. Tools generated such as the courses, website, seminar slides will facilitate information dissemination.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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