JORHAT, Aug 23 - The Assam Agricultural University (AAU) has been awarded the �Best Centre� for the year 2015-16 by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for quality works in seed production of agricultural crops among 39 agricultural universities of the nation.
AAU spokesperson Dr Ranjit Kumar Saud said that on behalf of AAU, associate director of research and nodal officer of the project Dr Prasanna Kumar Pathak received the �Best Centre� award from Dr Mangala Rai, Vice-Chancellor, GB Pant University of Agriculture & Technology (GBPUA&T), Pantnagar and Ex-Director General, ICAR and Dr JS Sandhu, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR on the occasion of the 11th annual review meeting of ICAR Seed Project held at the GB Pant University recently.
Since the financial year 2013-14, Best Centre of seed production has been selected by ICAR from the agricultural universities of the country and the ICAR institutions, which are involved in seed production of agricultural crops. Among the ICAR institutes, National Rice Research Institute (earlier known as Central Rice Research Institute), Cuttack has been adjudged as the �Best Centre� for the year.
Spokesperson Dr Saud also added that in the recent years, the AAU has very well demonstrated its capability to produce a large quantity of quality seeds of the major crop varieties. �The Technology Showcasing Programme conceived by the Vice-Chancellor Dr KM Bujarbaruah has led to a sea change in the AAU�s seed production scenario,� he added.