Three days Chief Scientist Meet of All India Coordinated Research Project on Irrigation Water Management (AICRP on IWM) was jointly organized by ICAR- Indian Institute of Water Management, Bhubaneshwar and Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur at the Department of Soil and Water Engineering, Swami Vivekanand College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology & Research Station during July 09-11, 2019. The inaugural function of this very important meet was chaired by Dr S. K. Patil, Hon'ble Vice Chancellor Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur. Dr S. K. Ambast, Director Indian Institute of Water Management-ICAR, Bhubaneshwar and Prof. D.K. Marothia, National Coordinator, Centre for Integrated Natural Resources Management, National Institute of Ecology, New Delhi and Ex. Chairman, CACP, Govt. of India were the Special Guests for the Inaugural Function. Among other dignitaries present were Dr R. K. Bajpai, Director Research IGKV Raipur, Dr S. S. Rao, Dean College of Agriculture, Dr S. S. Patel Dean SV College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology & Research Station and officials from Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Chhattisgarh and Central Ground Water Board Govt. of India Raipur. The occasion was also graced by Sh. Anand Mishra ji and Smt. Vellari Chandrakar Madam, Member Board of Management, IGKV Raipur. The three days chief scientist meet was attended by more than 80 scientists of AICRP on Irrigation Water Management from across the nation. The Chief Scientists presented the achievements during 2018-19 and new technical programme for the year 2019-20. The major issues discussed in the scientific deliberations were concentrated mainly on development of location-specific water management technologies for increasing water- use efficiency under surface and groundwater irrigation commands along with the economic use of irrigation water through pressurized irrigation system and adoption of water management technologies through adaptive trials in irrigation commands. Special emphasis was given to conduct basic and strategic research on irrigation water management, groundwater recharge, use of pressurized irrigation system for saving of water, management of rainwater in hilly and high rainfall areas by way of in-situ conservation, and ex-situ storage and recycling of runoff water.

The valedictory function of the meet was graced by Dr S.K. Patil, Hon'ble Vice Chancellor Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Dr S.K. Ambast, Director ICAR-Indian Institute of Water Management, Bhubaneshwar, Dr C.L. Acharya, Former Director, ICAR- Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal and Ex Member QRT of AICRP on IWM.