The second meeting of 9th Research Advisory Committee (RAC) of ICAR-IIWM was held during 22-23 February 2024. Renowned Expert in Agricultural Water Management of the country Dr. Alok Kumar Sikka, who is also IWMI Indian Country Representative and Former DDG (NRM) presided over the meeting as the Chairman, RAC. Besides him, ADG (SWM), ICAR Dr. A. Velmurugan and other Members of RAC also attended the RAC Meeting. The meting started on 22nd February 2024 afternoon. Members Dr. N. S. Raghuwanshi, Dr. B. S. Yadav and Dr. S. K. Pattanaik attended the meeting physically, whereas Member Dr. Amit Kar attended the meeting in virtual mode. Initially, Director, ICAR-IIWM welcomed and felicitated Chairman and Members of RAC. This was followed by Introductory remarks of Chairman and Members, RAC. Subsequently, Chairman Dr. Alok Kumar Sikka released three recent publications of ICAR-IIWM. Dr. A. Sarangi, Director, ICAR-IIWM made the overview presentation of the institute. Dr. S. Mohanty, Principal Scientist and Member Secretary presented the Action Taken Report on the Recommendations of the last RAC, which was accepted by the house. This was followed by Program level presentation of significant research achievements by respective Program Leaders. Dr. R. K. Panda (Canal Water Management Program), Dr. S. K. Rautaray (Rainwater Management Program), Dr. S. K. Jena (Groundwater Management Program), and Dr. M. Raychaudhuri (On-farm Technology Dissemination Program) made presentations. This was followed by Presentation of Research highlights of AICRP on IWM by Dr. S. Mohanty and Presentation of Research highlights of Agri-CRP on Water by Dr. S. K. Jena. Subsequent to that, there was discussion and concluding remarks by Chairman and Members of RAC. In the concluding remarks, the Chairman and Members expressed satisfaction over the research work undertaken by ICAR-IIWM. The meeting ended with vote of thanks to the Chair and Members by Member Secretary Dr. S. Mohanty. On 23rd February, field visit was arranged for Members of RAC.
