RARS (Regional Agricultural Research Station), Akbarpur, Karimganj

Name, Location & Address    :   Regional Agricultural Research Station ( RARS)   

                                                        Assam Agricultural University, Akbarpur

                                                        P. O. & Dist. Karimganj, Assam, India

                                                        Ph:- 091-03843-273197.

Founder Head                           : Mr. G. P. Hector ( Station Established in 1913 )

Present Manpower                   : Scientific : 10  including 3 Research Associate.

                                                     Supporting : 34 including 15 grade IV; Auxiliary : 42 in Muster Roll.

Historical Background :    

The first Rice Experimental station of undivided Assam was established at Akbarpur, Karimganj in 1913 under the Guidance of Mr. G. P. Hector, exclusively to carry out research and developmental works on rice in Assam. Later on, this was handed over to Assam Agricultural University during 1969. In  the  year 1980, the station had been  redesignated as Regional Agricultural Research Station    ( RARS) for Barak Valley Zone of Assamunder National Agricultural Research Project ( NARP ).   A Krishi  Vigyan  Kendra ( KVK ) has also been remandated to the RARS with effect from NOV., 2000.

Objectives :

• Overall agricultural development of the farmers of Barak Valley Zone of Assam.      
• Development and Dissemination of modern technologies of all principal crops including field and horticultural crops.    
• to create awareness among farmers, farm women, rural youths for agricultural and socio-economic development in the Karimganj District.

Areas of Activities:  The main mandate of the station were :

• to formulate and conduct need based location specific and problem oriented Research on all major crops including Rice.  
• to produce quality seeds of Rice.                    
• to collect, conserve, evaluate and utilize the plant genetic resources of the Zone for improvement of crops and          
• to transfer technologies generated by AAU to farmers field.

Research Projects: The Research Projects completed and in force are :

• National Agricultural Research Project ( NARP )   
• All India Co-ordinated Rice Improvement Project( AICIRP )  
• National Agricultural Technology Project ( NATP )                 
• Assam Rural Infrastructure and Agricultural Service Project ( ARIASP )
• Rice Research Scheme ( State Govt.)
• Agriculture Development Project ( ADP )

Achievement :

1. Continual Maintenance of  2919 local land race of rice of N.E. India constituting ahu, sali, bao, ashra and boro is done which have recorded as the highest collection in the State.

2. The station has developed 41 rice varieties for different agro-ecologies of the region, varieties like Manoharsali, Andrewsali, Prasadbhog, Badshbhog, Rangilee, Bhogali, Paresh, Kmj 1-17-2, Kmj 1-19-1, Longai, Borak and Kushiara have been on National and International use due to its valuable gene system.

3. Collection, Evaluation and maintenance of 17 country bean varieties have been done. Varieties Sylheti and Aswina were found resistant to insect pests.

4. The Station has been producing quality seeds of rice for Assam and neighbouring States.

5. The station has developed several crop production technologies including models for integrated farming for profit maximization.

6. About 54 trainings of different wings of modern agriculture were conducted in the year 2002-03 under KVK which had facilitated more than 2000 farmers including women, unemployed youths and extension functionaries.

7. Sufficient numbers of literatures were developed as per objectives of the Station.

8. A field day, a few OFT & FLD and Kisan Mela were also successfully organised by RARS-KVK, Karimganj beside holding SAC ( Scientific Advisory Committee ) and ZREAC ( Zonal Research and Extension Advisory Committee) meetings during 2002.

9. Five Self Help Groups ( SHG) have been formed in the District of Karimganj which included about 70 numbers of rural youths in the year 2002.

Source of Fund: RARS, Karimganj receives fund from the following agencies through AAU, Jorhat.

• Indian Council of Agriculture Research( ICAR )

• Govt. Assam.

• NATP ( World Bank )

• ARIASP ( World Bank )

• North Eastern Council ( NEC ) etc.

Present Areas of Activities :

• Research :                                

• Extensions :  Transfer of Technologies to the farmers, farm women and rural youth through

1. Training
2. Conducting Front Line Block Demonstration, On farm testing, Field Demonstration etc.
3. Organizing farmers fares, exhibition etc. and
4. Consultancy services

Thrust Areas :

• Development of high yielding rice varieties for post flood situations submergence tolerance and cold tolerance
• Utilization of rice fallow land by crop diversification
• Management of rice Hispa
• Farming system Research for tillah land
• Exploring production technology of murta and
• Transfer of already generated technologies for the farmers.

Collaboration with Important Organization : The RARS, Karimganj has strong linkage and collaboration with the following organization :

• Indian Council of Agril. Research Stations in India.
• Directorate of Research, Hyderabad.
• Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack.
• International Rice Research Institute, Philipines.
• AAU headquarters and its different Research Stations.

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  Source:  Chief Scientist, RARS, Akbarpur, Karimganj