Director Research

Dr. S.K. Verma

Director Research

G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology

Pantnagar – 263145, Uttarakhand, India

Contacts

+91-9411324848 (O)

directorresearch@gbpuat.ac.in

About Department

The Genesis

The Directorate of Research was established with the inception of the University in the year 1960 and has the following mandate:

1. Coordinate, facilitate and monitor multidisciplinary research programmes across all constituent colleges, research stations and centres of the University to address regional, national and global agricultural priorities.
2. Generate, evaluate and disseminate innovative technologies, improved varieties, breeds, production systems and farm machinery for sustainable agriculture and allied sectors with special emphasis on the Himalayan ecosystem.
3. Strengthen research governance and excellence through strategic planning, project management, resource mobilization, quality assurance, intellectual property management, publications and national/international collaborations.
4. Promote translational research and technology transfer by linking research output with extension systems, policymakers, entrepreneurs and industries to maximize socio-economic impact for farmers.
5. Production of desired nucleus / breeder / foundation / certified seeds of different field / vegetable / spices crops and planting material of different horticultural crops and fish fingerlings etc.
6. Support the national vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047 by fostering resilient, sustainable, technology-driven and globally competitive agricultural research that ensures food, nutritional, environmental and livelihood security.

Vision

To be globally recognized centre of excellence in multidisciplinary agricultural research, driving sustainable innovations that transform Himalayan and India agriculture, enhance farmer’s prosperity, strengthen food, nutrition and environmental security and contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047.

Mission

• Promote need based, multidisciplinary research in agriculture, veterinary sciences, fisheries, engineering, basic sciences and community science to address emerging challenges in food, nutrition, climate resilience and sustainable development.
• Develop and deliver innovative, climate smart and farmer centric technologies that enhance productivity, profitability, resource use efficiency and livelihood security with special emphasis on the farming communities of Uttarakhand and India.
• Strengthen research excellence through interdisciplinary collaboration, capacity building, innovation, technology commercialization and national and international partnerships, fostering impactful scientific discoveries and evidence based solutions.
• Facilitate effective translation of research into practice by promoting technology validation, dissemination and adoption through strong linkages with extension systems, policymakers, industry and farming communities, contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047.

Research Organization and Administration

The research organization of the University is governed by a ‘Research Advisory Committee’ (RAC). The Vice-Chancellor is the Chairman and Director, Research is the Member Secretary of the committee. The Deans of different colleges, Directors of various directorates in the University, Programme Coordinators and Comptroller are the members. Besides, Directors of Directorate of Agriculture, Horticulture and Fisheries of Government of Uttarakhand as well as Heads of State departments like soil conservation, sericulture, animal husbandry, forestry, marketing, medicinal and aromatic plants are also the members. Some progressive farmers also represent the RAC as member. The RAC as facilitators identify and orient research to address problems of farming community.

The Directorate of Research has a set-up which distinctly looks after technical, financial and administrative management as well as the management of on-campus and off-campus research centres. The Director Research is the head of the set-up and is assisted by Joint Directors from disciplines of Agriculture, Veterinary and Engineering as well as by Joint Director Research for Administration and Monitoring. The on- and off- campus research stations have Joint Directors/ Associate Directors/ Officer-in-charges for planning and execution of mandate of these centres and a Joint Director at Head quarters monitors these activities. The Comptroller in association with a Deputy Comptroller and other accounts officials takes care of financial management of the directorate.

Joint Directors

Research Centres

On Campus Research Centres

Off Campus Research Centres

Research Highlights

Research Projects in Operation

At present 321 (July 2026) research projects with financial outlay of Rs 85.13 crores are in operation at different colleges and on- and off- research centres of the University funded by ICAR, Central and State Government, International Agencies.

• Ongoing Research Projects 2026PDF

Salient Research Achievements

The University has made significant achievements on agricultural research front and has developed a number of technologies for adoption by farmers and other end users. Some of the achievements are given below:

Total varieties released so far: 363; varieties released after creation of Uttarakhand: 229; landmark varieties: 14. University has so far released 363 improved varieties of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, fodder crops, sugarcane, green manure crops, vegetables crops of Kharif and Rabi seasons, fruits crops and plants species, agroforestry and flowering plants. The crop varieties have great potential and contributed significantly to enhance the productivity in the state and the country. The University has focused research efforts to meet specific requirements of Uttarakhand and 229 varieties of different crops have been released for cultivation in different parts of the state under various cropping systems.

Crop Varieties

• List of Released Varieties 2026PDF

• List of Released VarietiesPDF

Additional documents

• Varieties Released (23.01.2021)PDF
• Released Crop VarietiesPDF
• Academia–Industry Meet (21.02.2024)PDF

Achievements

1. University has been awarded as best agriculture university with the Sardar Patel Outstanding ICAR Institution Award thrice — in 1997, 2005 and 2019 — by ICAR, New Delhi.
2. Awarded Best Centre for exemplary research achievements: Pulses – 2024 and 2026; Rice – 2025; Biocontrol – 2025; Maize – 2020; Soybean – 2017; Forage – 2023; Weed Management – 2008, 2014 and 2022.
3. Identification of zinc deficiency as the cause of Khaira disease in rice for the first time in the world.
4. Development of Pant Zero Till Ferti Seed Drill, which reduces sowing time by 10–15 days.
5. Development of the first interspecific maize hybrid, Pant Forage Maize Hybrid 1.
6. Rejuvenation of Nainital Lake through bio-manipulation for fisheries revival and production.
7. Commercial production of the bioagent Trichoderma viride.
8. Development of a Zero Till seed drill for sowing of wheat crop.
9. Development of an early Bovine Pregnancy Diagnosis kit.
10. A novel Salmonella vaccine has been developed and patented.
11. A simple strip test for the detection of urea in milk has been developed.
12. The Pant hill yoke suitable for hill bullocks has been developed and fabricated.
13. ‘Pant Subsoiler-cum-Vermicompost and Soil Amendments Applicator’ is designed and developed.
14. Mass production of fingerlings of commercial popular fishes.
15. Development of small equipments suitable for hill farmers like Nasuda, Danala, Damala, Paddy Thresher, Horticultural hand tools etc.
16. First indigenous poultry breed of Uttarakhand, “Uttara”, is registered.
17. Dual purpose (meat and milk) breeds of goat “Pantja”, “Udaipuri” and “Chogarkha” are registered.
18. The extraction of natural dyes mordanting, dyeing, printing on various kinds of fabrics using plant source like Berbis vulgaris, Jatropha integerimma, Juglan regia, Hamelia patens, Butea monosperma etc have been standardized. Tea leaves, Amla, Bahera, lemon etc have been used as moderant (eco-friendly). Techniques have been developed for dyeing and printing on garments like cotton, silk and wool.
19. Ovum pick technology for obtaining progenies from infertile animals of high pedigree for genetic improvement has been perfected.
20. Development of a potent cell culture vaccine against fowl pox virus in poultry.
21. Super-ovulation was induced in buffalo and cow; seven healthy calves were produced through embryo transfer from one donor cow in one year.
22. The technique of in-vitro oocyte maturation (IVM), sperm capacitation, in-vitro fertilization (IVF), embryo culture and cryopreservation of oocytes and embryo has been standardized; IVM and IVF have been successfully achieved with frozen-thawed buffalo oocytes.

1. The University touched the new heights by bagging the Sardar Patel Outstanding Agricultural Institutional Award (2005) of Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
2. During the Union Budget Speech 2007-08 the Government of India recognized the University as “Institution of Excellence” and allocated a special grant of Rs 50 crores.
3. The University has been awarded with the “Service to Humanity Award” for outstanding contributions to the humanity.
4. The University is playing a vital role to make Uttarakhand as focal point of organic farming and a project is being implemented in 24 villages where local varieties are being identified for cultivation under organic mode. For the benefits of the farmers, a package of practices for organic farming of rice, chickpea, frenchbean and rajma have been developed.
5. The University has initiated research on jatropha and has entered into MoU with M/S Hindustan Petroleum Corporation for production of bio-diesel.
6. The University in association with M/S Armaco Consultant Pvt. Ltd. has launched a programme to promote anti-malarial drugs from a medicinal plant called Artimisia.
7. The University also achieved a record production of carp seed and stocked about 40 lacs quality seed in the reservoirs of Uttarakhand. The seed was also supplied and sold to the farmers of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Nepal.
8. Research on Alternative Fuel: The nursery and plantation of 1.10 lakh plants of Jatropha curcas was taken up the University farm and outstations viz., Majhera, Lohaghat and Kashipur. The nursery raising techniques through organic means has been standardized and pruning schedule has been developed. The chemical analysis for oil content from the collection at Garhwal region revealed high oil content (40%). The accessions with high oil content will be selected and distributed among the farmers for cultivation.
9. Molecular biology group at Pantnagar has shown that Alternaria blight is mediated through host selected toxin(s). Phytohormone has been shown to antagonize the toxic effect.
10. In-vitro microtuber seed development has been standardized as an effective and cheaper method for potato seed production. The process of microtuber development has been made economically viable and by using cheaper and easily available ingredients.
11. A strong IPM programme was developed both at Pantnagar and Hill campus, Ranichauri to promote the use of biocontrol agents and other non-chemical methods of disease and pest management. The products developed during the programme: Pant Biocontrol Agent-1 (Trichoderma harzianum, TH), Pant Biocontrol Agent-2 (Pseudomonas fluorescens, PsF), Pant Biocontrol Agent-3 (TH+PsF), Pantgramma I (Trichogramma japonicum), Pantgramma II (Trichogramma chilonis), Pantgramma III (Trichogramma poliae; new species isolated from eggs of Populus deltoides).
12. Agriculture implements / farm machinery developed: Pant Fertilizer Band Placement Cum Earthing Up Machine; Pant Axial Flow Multi-Crop Thresher for Hilly Region; Pant Subsoiler-cum-Vermicompost and Soil Amendments Applicator; Finger millet dehuller-cum-pearler; and Integrated Potato peeler cum slicer.
13. A refined technology of crop regulation in guava under high density plantation — “A process for crop regulation in guava under high density plantation” — filed to the Indian Patent Office, New Delhi (Patent application No. 201611025345 dated 25.07.2016).
14. Low cost motorized paddy thresher introduced to minimize drudgery; overall discomfort rating reduced to 29.72 percent by threshing with the improved method.
15. Jackfruit seed flour prepared and incorporated in dumplings (substituting rice flour) — rich in protein, energy and minerals with high protein digestibility and good dietary fibre, increasing the nutritive value of the product.

Patents

A total of 49 patents have been granted to the University. The complete list is available below.

• List of Patents Granted (49)PDF

Proformas

• Proforma for Varietal IdentificationPDF
• Proforma for Varietal Release & NotificationPDF