Information and Data Sharing in NARS of India

The National Agricultural Research System (NARS) of India comprises 97 institutes established by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and 58 Agricultural Universities established in various states by their respective state governments, or as agriculture faculties in central universities and as private institutions. While the ICAR institutes are involved in basic and strategic research except few deemed universities which are involved in education, the universities are involved in applied research and education. However, all the institutes and universities take up extension activities and training. Every year, substantial research output is produced from these institutes and universities and they share their research achievements with all of their stakeholders through technical bulletins, leaflets, newsletters, annual reports, books, research highlights, research achievements and research journals. The education and teaching materials are rarely shared with the world. Most of these publications are print only form and are rarely shared through their websites. The institutes and universities share the leaflets freely during various programmes but many of their publications are priced publications and are only available upon purchase