ICAR-Indian Institute of Water Management (ICAR-IIWM), Bhubaneswar in collaboration with SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC), Dhaka and International Water Management Institute - India (IWMI-India) organized the Regional Training on Smart Agricultural Water Management Interventions for Enhancing Water Productivity and Resilience in South Asia during 18-22 June, 2019.Twelve trainees from National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems (NARES) of seven SAARC member states, viz. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka participated this training program.
The main aim of this training program was to develop a team of master trainers and establish a network of practitioners of smart agricultural water management to continue exchange of knowledge and technology in the region. It is imperative that SAARC Member States implement best practices of water resource management and gear towards increasing water-use efficiency for sustainable agriculture in the region under climate change scenario.
This training was inaugurated by Dr. P.K. Agrawal, Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar and Dr. A.K. Sikka, IWMI, India. Dr. S.K. Ambast, Director, ICAR-IIWM welcomed the guests and participants. Valedictory functionon 22 June, 2019 was graced by the Chief-Guest, Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director, ICAR-NRRI, Cuttack. Dr. Pathak distributed the certificates to the trainees. Dr. A.K. Thakur, Principal Scientist and Dr. P. Panigrahi, Senior Scientist of the institute coordinated the training program.