Activities

IARI Alumni Association (IAA) activities

Objectives: IARI Alumni Association (IAA) was established in 1986 and formally registered in 1992. The current Executive Council has initiated many activities to fulfil some of its objectives. These are described below:

• To foster fellow-feeling and strengthen interaction among the alumni of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.
• To focus attention on problems related to agricultural research, education, extension and development in India.
• To build partnership with related national and international institutions having similar objectives.
• To organize seminars, symposia and other scientific related activities for the furtherance of its objectives.
• To encourage the members for assisting The Graduate School in academic, cultural and social activities.

The Agricultural Sector is currently facing a new challenges which may adversely affect our production, productivity and quality of produce. All these are further compounded by the global warming. It is, therefore, important that our young faculty and students are fully trained to address these ably. Since IARI Alumni are spread all over the world and have contributed immensely in solving the food production and environmental security issues globally, it was decided to invite internationally reputed researchers and academicians to address the faculty and students and interact with them to inspire and motivate them. It is also planned to support young scientists and students for their visits and trainings abroad as part of their skill development.

The activities that are proposed for utilizing the donations received by the IAA would broadly focus upon the following:

• Sponsorship: Provide needed support for skill development programs, which focus on bridging educational gaps in specialized areas and for participation in International Conferences/Symposia/Seminars to present research papers.
• Mentorship Programs: Mentorship initiatives that support personal and professional growth, especially by building partnerships and needed support through invitation to distinguished Alumni for short visits or on sabbatical.
• Awareness campaigns: Highlighting the critical role that agriculture is playing towards food, nutrition, environmental and livelihood security as well as for building climate resilience.
• Professional Development Workshops: Organizing workshops and training programs that enhance skills and employability for youth for taking up agriculture as a profession.
• Networking Opportunities: Organizing networking social events that can build community feeling and support for career advancement.
• Support for Alumni-led Startups: Ensuring institutional backstopping, mentoring  and handholding for startups.
• Public Lectures: Promoting knowledge sharing, public discourse, and community engagement by inviting eminent agricultural experts.
• Alumni Giving Back Programs: Initiatives encouraging volunteering, particularly skills-based volunteering, and bridging the critical knowledge gaps for career advancement of youth.
• Promoting excellence in science: It will be through institution of awards and incentives to bright students and young faculty.

Activities conducted during 2024:

1. IAA Alumni Meet and National Seminar was organized on June 22, 2024 to discuss and deliberate on an implementable action plan to make IARI a Global University. IARI Alumni working globally can contribute significantly through teaching on topics where faculty is inadequate or not in position.
2. Foundation Day Lecture on December 2, 2024 was delivered by Prof. G. Padmanaban, Former Director of Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. He is the first recipient of India’s topmost award for scientists “Vigyan Ratna” in 2024.
3. Public lecture on “Universal Food Security: A Global Perspective with Implications for India” by Prof. Glenn Denning, Professor of Professional Practice, Founding Director of Master of Public Administration in Development Practice, Columbia University, USA: December 6, 2024.
4. Public lecture on “The Soil-Centric Green Revolution for Environmental Restoration in India” by Prof. Rattan Lal, Director, Carbon Management and Sequestration Centre, The Ohio State University, Columbus, USA: December 11, 2024. Dr. Rattan Lal was World Food Prize laureate in 2020.

Activities conducted/planned during 2025:

1. Lecture and interaction on “Large Language Models (LLMs) and the Future of Education and Extension” by Prof. Dharmendra Saraswat, Professor, Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Purdue University, USA: January 31, 2025.
2. Public lecture and interaction on “Managing India’s food system transformation – top policy priorities” by Prof. Prabhu L. Pingali, Professor of Applied Economics & Director, Tata-Cornell Institute (TCI), Cornell University, Ithaca, USA: March 12, 2025.
3. Roundtable Consultation on “Industry-Academia Partnership in Making ICAR-IARI a Global Hub” facilitated byDr. Baskar Reddy and Dr. Anil K. Gupta on March 22, 2025.
4. Roundtable discussion on “Changing Contours of Leadership in Agri Domain towards Innovative Entrepreneurship” convened by Dr. Nagendra P Singh: May 5, 2025.
5. Science and Innovation for Food Security and Peace: Dr. Bram Govaerts, DG, CIMMYT, June 24, 2025.
6. National Expert Consultation workshop on “Transforming IARI into a Global Agricultural University – September 23-24, 2025.
7. Options for Entrepreneurship for Agricultural Graduates: Dr. G.R. Chintala, Former Chairman, NABARD, October 31, 2025.
8. IARI Alumni Meet & Foundation Day Lecture: Dec 2, 2025.

2026

1. Awareness Programme on Agriculture as a profession: Target School students –during IARI Krishi Mela to be held in February-March 2026.