A vibrant publishing house on agricultural research

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Keeping pace with the latest global trends and increasing importance of knowledge in the technology-driven agriculture, the Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture (DKMA) has expanded its knowledge dissemination programme vibrantly. Dr VK Bharti, chief production officer, DKMA, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) briefs about their activities. By adopting knowledge management initiatives, the Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture (DKMA) is technologically and administratively empowered to systematically capture, organize, store, retrieve and communicate agricultural information to a wide range of stakeholders, which include policy-makers, institutions, researchers, extension workers and above all, the farmers.

The DKMA is also the nodal centre for enhancing visibility and brand image of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) at the national level through print and electronic media of mass communication. The main thrust of the Directorate is to share, manage and disseminate knowledge through ICT driven print and electronic media to different segments of society. The website (www.icar.org.in) of the ICAR has emerged as one of the most effective platform for on-line sharing of agricultural knowledge, information and news of relevance through a number of value-added services/features.

The research literature…

Most of the comprehensive knowledge generated in National Agricultural Research System is reflected through the ICAR publications. The Council’s publications have a stamp of quality and they are nationally and internationally recognized for their content and print quality. It brings out a variety of publications in English and Hindi for workers. These include monographs, technical books, technical bulletins, low priced publications, etc. The publications brought out by ICAR are; Indian Farming, Kheti, Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, Indian Horticulture, Phal Phool, Krishi Chayanika, ICAR News, ICAR Reporter, ARIS News, Indian Animal Sciences Abstracts, Indian Agricultural Sciences Abstracts, etc. Some of highly saleable non-serial publications of ICAR are: Handbook and Textbook series on Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Animal Husbandry discipline apart from popular books. Most of these publications are the result of the scientific contribution made by the experienced scientists, technicians and agricultural managers of National Agricultural Research System.

Besides, the research journals and popular periodicals of the Council, namely The Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, The Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, Indian Farming and Indian Horticulture, and journals of five professional societies are available in free open-access mode for on-line sharing of knowledge. The on-line versions of these journals have extended to reach across the globe with nearly 13,000 registered users in 180 countries. Inspiring success stories of enterprising farmers and entrepreneurs drawn from across the country are also regularly published.

Electronic Publishing

Keeping in line with the growth of information technology and multi-fold options put forward by the e-publications, ICAR publication programme underwent a sea change. The publications programme was restructured to reap the rich benefits and enormous advantages offered by the electronic products.

Besides, ICAR Reporter, ICAR News, ICAR Mail, Agbiotech Digest and ICAR Chitthi (Hindi) are available in open access along with print editions for wider circulation. Hosting of e-books, especially designed to make available information on the farmer-friendly technologies and data, on the website is a value-added feature for enhancing sharing of knowledge among stakeholders. The well illustrated e-book, Making a Difference in Indian Agriculture -The Journey of the ICAR, was released in presence of the prime minister of India on the foundation day of the ICAR, July 16, 2011. With a view to strengthen the knowledge base and accessibility to scientists, researchers, students, policy planners, extension personnel, farmers and the general public, some of the publications have been uploaded on the website as open access publications.

The umbrella…

Today, ICAR is the leading publishing house of agricultural titles, providing the overall position of research conducted throughout the country under varied agro-climatic conditions, diverse crops as well as major livestock’s, poultry and fisheries, including agricultural technology.