Question : INFORMATION NETWORK AMONGST AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTES

(a) whether IARI incurred an expenditure of Rs. 1.69 crore during 1995-2001 for developing data bases and providing linkage for collecting, updating and exchanging all information relating to agriculture;

(b) whether the facilities have since been inter-connected with other Institutes of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research/State Agricultural universities;

(c) if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether the major objectives of establishing Agriculture Research Information System (ARIS) has thus been forefeited;

(e) if not, the major achievements made by it during the above period; and

(f) the reaction of the Government for projecting and developing data bases but not exchanging information among the ICAR Institutes?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)


(a) Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has incurred an expenditure of Rs. 80,19,630.00 during 1995-96 to 2000-2001 for developing Agriculture Research Information System (ARIS) Cell for basic network infrastructure, computers and electronic gadgets; subscription of national and international databases for keeping abreast of latest agricultural research information;

(b) & (c): Such facilities are interconnected for using e-mail for scientific and other interactions and internet for publishing and downloading all agricultural information in IARI. Inter institutional network connectivity has not been established directly. However, it is established only through NIC, ERNET, VSNL and other private Internet Service Provider (ISPs).

(d) & (e): No, Sir. Indian Agricultural Research Institute/ ARIS Network has inculcated information technology culture at grass root level of agricultural scientists. The students and scientists/other staff are using this `information network` for prompt information access and dissemination.

All divisions buildings of IARI has been connected with high speed LAN using optical fiber cable and all bibliographic records have been computerized for online access over the network. IARI library has established 28-drive CDNET tower based CDNET Workstation Section where any user (national or international) can come and collect their desired agricultural information.

(f) The information is being exchanged among ICAR institutes using online access from server, email, print outs, or through floppy/CD.