1/27/98

Contacts:
Ramesh Kanwar, Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station (515) 294-3629
Karen Bolluyt, Agriculture Information, (515) 294-3701

SUBSTANTIAL INVOLVEMENT IN INDIA EXPECTED FOR ISU

AMES -- One of India's most honored scientists will be at Iowa State University on Wednesday, January 28, leading a delegation that will sign an agreement to link the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Iowa State University.

As R.S. Paroda, head of ICAR, traveled to Ames, India celebrated its Republic Day, and awarded Paroda the "Padama Bhushan" award, one of the prestigious awards given each year to a small group of Indians who have made significant contributions to the country. Paroda's field is plant breeding and genetics.

The agreement between Iowa State and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research immediately follows the signing of another significant, related agreement. On Monday in Washington, D.C., Paroda's delegation formalized an agreement for a $250-million World Bank project. The project focuses on agricultural technology transfer for India.

Ashok Seth, World Bank senior agriculturist, also is part of the delegation traveling to Ames, as is G.L. Kaul, an Indian horticulturist assigned to special duty with the World Bank project.

The agreement with Iowa State establishes the basis for such things as exchange of scientists, information, methodologies, and scientific equipment; creation of facilities; and fellowship grants. ISU Provost John Kozak and David Topel, dean of the College of Agriculture, will sign the agreement for the university.

"The World Bank project and this agreement greatly increase the opportunities for scientific cooperation and a mutually beneficial partnership," said Ramesh Kanwar, assistant director of ISU's Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station.

In December, Kanwar conducted seminars in India on the topic of preparing and submitting grant proposals. In November, a three member livestock research team from Iowa State visited India. Both activities were related to the anticipated World Bank program.

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