Role of Indian Network for Research in Irrigation and Drainage in Promoting Exchange of Information

摘要

Establishment of an International Network for Irrigation and Drainage to cater to the information needs of researchers engaged in these areas world over was a long felt need, particularly with reference to developing countries requiring information to enhance production of food and agricultural commodities. The International Programme for Technology Research in Irrigation and Drainage (IPTRID) was established at the World Bank in 1991 at the request of International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID). In July 1998 the IPTRID moved to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. Various national committees were also formed under the aegis of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage. Indian National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage (INCID) also emerged as one of them. The task of networking in India for exchange of information was entrusted to CWPRS by the INCID. Consequently Indian Network for Research in Irrigation and Drainage (INRID), was launched in May 1993 as a subset of Water and Power Information System already existing at CWPRS. More than 80 institutions either providing or seeking information in the field of irrigation and drainage are participating in the network. A directory based on the profiles of these institutions has been published. Initially 15 key areas in the fields related to irrigation and drainage were identified. Based on the profiles received from the participating institutions the scope was further extended. Regular interaction between the participating institutions and the central node at CWPRS has proved the usefulness of the network. The institutions are kept informed by sending them bibliographic details of published literature, scanned from various technical journals and conferences held world over, relevant to their areas of work. Electronic media is used wherever possible. The paper discusses about the present status of the network, feedback from the participating institutions and how the same could be used for serving them better by enhancing the scope and utility of the information sent to them.