Research Highlights

 

Natural Resource Management

  

  • Developed low cost technologies to conserve soil and water in the cashew and mango plantations

  

  • Integrated farming system (IFS) models involving various components like crops, livestock and fishery were developed and evaluated for the upland and lowland situations of Goa.

  • Considering the importance of soil health, soil fertility map of the state was prepared.

Crop Sciences

  

  • Rice varieties suitable for different ecologies of Goa were identified through evaluation.  We recommend Pusa-44 and Karjat-3 for rainfed lowland; CSR-23 and CSR-27 for coastal saline soil; Naveen and Akshyadhan for rabi season.

  • Landraces of rice from Goa were collected and characterized for various agro-morphological and yield attributing characters.

  • High yielding cowpea selections viz. DU-3, NB-4, Alsando-1 and Sangolda Local for rice fallow situations were identified and popularized.

  • Integrated insect pest management strategies for rice, cucumber, coconut, mango and cashew were developed.

 

  • Eco-friendly management practices for major soil borne plant diseases of vegetables, groundnut and mango using bio-control agents were developed.

  • Bio-fortification of cashew grafts using consortium of bio-agents was developed.

Horticulture Sciences

  • High yielding cashew varieties (Goa-1), selections (Tiswadi-3, Ganje-2 and Valpoi-3) having bold apple and high nut yield were identified and recommended for cultivation in the state. 

  • Over 100 accessions/ varieties of mango are maintained in the institute and improved mango selections of Mankurad were made. One accession, Cardozo Mankurad is selected for commercial traits and registered with NBPGR.

  • Research on kokum resulted in the identification of elite germplasm material for multiplication and evaluation.

  • Various selections of brinjal and chilli were evaluated and agro-techniques for production of vegetables and flowers both under open field and protected cultivation were standardized.

  • Cultivation of Heliconia in coconut plantation was standardized and popularized.

  • Processing and Post-harvest technologies of various horticultural crops has also been studied.

Animal Sciences

  • Strategies to improve the milk yield of dairy animals are standardized through various scientific interventions.

  • Technology for production of bypass fat indigenously for feeding of dairy animals was developed and commercialized.

  • Technology for production and feeding of hydroponics fodder for dairy animals was introduced and feeding strategies were standardized.

  • Piggery and rabbit production technologies are standardized and demonstrated through regular training programmes.

  • Agonda Goan, a local pig breed is registered with NBAGR which exhibits local adaptability and higher consumer preference. Artificial insemination in pig was standardized for the production of crossbred pigs.

  • Package of practices for backyard poultry (Vanaraja and Gramapriya) production is standardized.

  • Formulation of low cost feed for poultry using locally available unconventional feed ingredients was standardized.

  • Monitoring and surveillance of economically important livestock diseases and emerging infections were carried out. Management strategy of bovine mastitis was standardized.

  • Improved process for microbial fermentation of cashew apple juice for pilot scale production of feni was standardized.

 

Fishery Sciences

  

  • Fish based farming systems involving various components such as rice, duck, poultry were standardized for the low lying areas.

  • The Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) advisories are disseminated to the fishermen through various means and the advisories were validated.

  • The breeding and seed production technologies of 14 varieties of common freshwater ornamental fish were standardized.

Extension and outreach

  

  • Training programmes to farmers, youth, farm women, entrepreneurs are conducted regularly on various aspects of farming and improved technologies.

  • Technology demonstrations are conducted in the farmer’s field at various places of the state.

 

  • The institute serves as the knowledge centre for developing agro- eco- tourism centres and assisted in the establishment of agro eco- tourism centres at farmers place.

 

  • Mass awareness campaigns and demonstrations at farms were organized on clean milk production, zoonoses and foodborne infections.

 

  • Tribal farmers are provided with infrastructure, input and technology assistance through Tribal Sub Plan programme.

 

  • As an information and communication technology initiative, information on the cultivation of various crops and rearing of dairy animals is provided in the website (http://www.icargoa.res.in/dss/).

 

  • All the technical publications of the institute are also available in the website for the benefit of farming community.

 

Education

  

  • ICAR Research Complex for Goa has been recognized as the centre of higher education by State Agricultural and Veterinary Universities. Masters’ and doctorate students from these institutes do their research programmes.

 

  • Students of Goa University also do their research under the guidance of scientists. Students from various educational institutes across the country and from schools of Goa visit regularly this institute on educational trips.