The second meeting of 8^th Research Advisory Committee (RAC) meeting of ICAR-IIWM, Bhubaneswar was organised on 08.09.2020 through virtual mode. Dr. P. K. Sharma, Former Vice Chancellor, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science & Technology of Jammu and the Chairman of the Committee presided over the meeting. Among other esteemed members of the Committee, Dr. B. J. Pandian, Former Director, Water Technology Center, TNAU, Tamil Nadu; Dr. A. K. Sarkar, Ex-Dean, Birsa Agriculture University, Ranchi; Dr. G. G. S. N. Rao, Ex-Project Coordinator, ICAR-AICRP on Agro-Meteorology, ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad; and Dr. Adlul Islam, Assistant Director General (S&WM), NRM Division, ICAR, New Delhi attended the meeting. During the meeting the Annual Report of the Institute for 2019 was released by the Chairman. Water being a precious commodity, emphasis was made by the Chairman and members of the Committee on the time tested efficient water management technologies with provision of end-user benefits. Among other pertinent points, as monsoon is adequate during this year, every possibility of achieving bumper crop production focussing on scientific agricultural water management for achieving sustainable crop production and productivity was highlighted. Issues like use of micro irrigation for cash crops, addressing problematic soils, robust agro-advisory service, priority on use of ICT / DSS / Automation were emphasized. In order to have a glimpse on the last year achievements in the Institute, the Programme Leaders of various theme areas highlighted the research findings, which were appreciated by the Committee. In the beginning, Dr. Atmaram Mishra, Director of the institute had an overview presentation of the activities of the institute. At last, with an expectation of achieving the mandate of the National Institute, the Chairman and members hoped for continuance of farmers’ oriented inter-institutional collaborative water management research activities by the institute.

Research Advisory Committee (RAC) meeting organised on 08.09.2020 through virtual mode