Arma1s of Library Science and llicunentation1980, 27(1-4), 34-40.

ROLE OF AN AGRICULTURALUNIVERSITY LIBRARY IN TECHNOLOGYTRANSFER IN AGRICULTURE

Indian agricultural univerei.t iee havenade a great contribution in the fields ofagricultural education, research and exte1;sionand have justified the investment of publ-icFunds on them as they have solved the problem~f food and hunger to a considerable extent byundertakina the extensive research programmesand adopti~lg modern technology for increasingaqr-icul.t ural. product-ion and transforming rurallife by way of transfer of technology. In orderto sustain and further accelerate their pace ofresearch and development it is necessary toensure central and state support for sounddevelopment of agricultural universIty Librar-ieswhich al'e the treasure houses of informationresources. A 'Network of Agriculture Infor-mation System' at national, international andregional level sh~uZd be est~lish~d in .coZl~-boration with aar-icul tural: uni oer s-it.u l.ibrar-ieeand I.C.A.R Institute libraries for effectivetransfer of technology in agriculture.

1. INTRODUCTIONAgricultural education, re~earch, ~n~

extension are three of the essent1al serV1cesthat an agricultural university must provide fora country's agricultural develo~ment. Resea~chevolves new ideas and new technlques, extens10nassists fann people to put into practice theproducts of research and educ~tion rff-ovide.strained personnel for all agrlcultu~al develop-ment, including research and extens ion .. Thethree services constitute the framework 1nwhich the university effort, including I.C.JI .. R.technical assistance, can work to benefit thefarming community. Whether.such effort i~utilised in the most effectlve and econom1C way

Th2 paper was Dresented at the All IndiaICAR Seminar, held at Hyderabad in December 1980.

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P.P. DESHMUKHUniversity LibraryPunjabrao Krishi VidyapeethAkola-444104Maharashtra

depends on the organization and administrationof these services, which are closely interrelat-ed.

In India agricultural education is on thethreshhold of a new era. This new era definesthe parameters in which university librariesare to function for the foreseeable future. Avery serious concern for those libraries thatserve the major research oriented universitiesis the continuance of their capacities to provideadequate information resources for academicresearch.

Need for bibliographic control of doctoraland post-doctoral research potential is beingfelt more and more. As expansion of agriculturaleducation goes forward following economic improvement and as science, technology and trade developin the same way the quantity of research workalso increases every year , Interdiscip,linaryoverlapping has opened up new fields of research.In view of this situation, it is necessary thatthe researcher knows what has already been donein his field of research. He should know whattype of data have already been collected and whattheories, based on that data, have been propound-ed. Transfer of research results from labora-tories to fields through library will keep alivethe hopes of the nation.2. OBclECTIVES

Today, the food-producing countries arebeing asked to share their abundance with themillions of hungry people in the world. Factorsvital to the future of the world food supplyinclude the less costly far~ ~achinery, deve-lopment of indigenous farm machinery f~r les~developed countries, development of alLerna~lvesources of energy, increased input into bas~crese~rch, improve~ents in more and better h1gh-

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ROLE OF AN AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY IN TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

yielding crop strains, more effective land use,a world-wide agricultural meteorological net-work, and a world food reserve system. Theserepresent only a sample of the many basicchallenges facing the world agriculturalcommunity.

There is a growing consensus that foodmay be one of the most complex economic,political, and moral issues of our time. Inthis regard, agricultural librarians, docu-mentalists, and information specialists have avital role to play in providing timely andrelevant information services to farmers, live-stock producers, agricultural business organi-zations, research workers, subject specia-lists, teachers, students, and others who areactively engaged in meeting the continuingchallenge of man, food and hunger.

I wou 1d 1ike to suggest a' few criti ca 1turning points for agriculture awaiting us inthe years ahead. Our capability to increasecrop yield is one of our major concerns. Wehave to get off the plateau that is holding backagricultural production rates. To do that willrequire integration and use of information insuch ways as have not been done before. Second-ly, agriculture of the future will have a prior-ity directed towards elimination of contaminantsin food products, resulting in new informationdemand. Thirdly, the genetics of crops andlivestock will have vastly increased informationneeds to produce better crops and animals.Future needs for information will be enormousas we improve and develop new techniques to saveand restore our resources. Our immediate taskis that we must think of tomorrow. We mustwork out the technology today for the newlyrestructured technical information system inscience, education and administration to makesure that it meets our needs for the future. Allof us in agriculture will be relying as beforeon computer technology as a vital and crucialaid for information processing that will allowus to connect all those concerned with creativedecision making in agriculture. Our objectiveis to improve our knowledge about the agri-cultural information and the utilisation thereof.The agricultural university libraries incollaboration with ICAR Institutes should forma network of library and information systemunder the guidance of Indian Council of Agri-cultural Research.3. LIBRARY DEVELOP~ENT FOR EFFECTIVE ROLES AND

FUNCTIONSNational Education Co~mission (1964) in

its report recommended the establishment of atleast one agricultural university in each stateof India. National Commission on Agriculture

Vol 27 Nos 1-4 (Mar - Oec) 1980

(1976) recommended implementation of variousdevelopmental plans for establishing new agri-cultural complexes, I.C.A.R. institutes andprojects in collaboration with the agriculturaluniversities in India. This. has opened avenuesfor the establishment of modern, well develop-ed and well orqanised university libraries onscientific basis in order to playa vitalconstructive role in the nation buildinq taskof agricultural education, research and·extension. Communication of new informationand technology to the agricultural scientistsis the main task of university libraries inIndia. A modern, well-developed and well-equipped university library plays a vital rolein the process·of information transfer toagricultural scientists.

Recent developments in agriculture andallied sciences have created new pressures onthe libraries of the aqricultural universitiesinasmuch as these serve the needs of agri-cultural education, research and extensioneducation. A university library is a necessaryadjunct to the teacher's aid and a researcher'stool without which they cannot make the best usein an effective and efficient manner of theirtime or talents. A university library, beingan integral part of a university must be deve-loped into a dynamic institution where thestaff and the students including the researchworkers would come for the advancement of theirskills and for seeking assistance for changingtheir attitudes in the desired direction. Awell-equipped library run by an efficientorganisation is in fact the soul of an educa-tional institution. Faculties however well-equipped and manned by competentst~ff wouldsoon find themselves in a morass of intellectu~stagnation, backwardness, if those are notsupported by a dynamic, modern, uptodate andefficiently managed library. The develo~mentof the university 1 ibrary, tt.srefore , has nolimits. It is one institution which shouldcontinuously grow and should never be allowedto relapse into stagnation.

4. CHANGING NATURE OF AGRICULTURALLIBRARIANSHIP

There has been a great increase in theacademic library use per student because ofchanges in instructional methods. Formerly,the professor, who often had a rather parochialattitude towards knowledge, depended entirelyon prescribed textbooks and lectures. Now,the student is often encouraged to reac morewidely and to do more independent literaturesearchinq. This change, along with qreatlyaccelerated research and a vast increase inliterature, has stimulated library use. The

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library has indeed become a vital instrumentfor education and research. In addition,libraries are being operated more efficientlythrough the use of scientific managementmethods. Great improvements in processingtechniques and document delivery services havetaken place through the adoption of newtechnologies by modern libraries.

5. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, CONCEPT, PROCESSES ANDCOMPLEXITIES.

Technology transfer connotes the movementof technology from its g~neration, through itsdissemination and appropriate adaptation, toapplication in a given economic, political,social and cultural context. It also covers thecommunication of technoloqical information,andthe development of indigenous technology.

The transfer of technology is largelyan information and communication process. Itranges from detailed documentation to the casualremarks. The achievement of effective transfercalls for special efforts on the part of boththe donor and the recipient. This role isrealised by the information centres who are seek-ing ways of shortening the distance betweensource and user and of makina available inter-pretive services of a quality matched to thelevel of expertise of the user.

Agricultural university library infor-mation services play an important role in thetransfer of technology. UNESCO believes thatin this new context of technology transfer, thequestion of promotion of the flow of scientificand technolooical information assumes oreatersignificance: The motivating factor in thetransfer of technology usually is knowledge,falling into rioht hands. Technical informationis a potentia1 source of innovation, and theavailability of and access to the latest infor-mation, published or otherwise recorded, isclearly vital. Technological information,being the product of technological research,takes the original form of write-ups by scien-tists and technologists and usually reported inscientific *ournals. ~echnology informationneeded ;s 0 three types. Researchers needabstracts of latest researches in the field.Industrialists need information regardingmachines, markets, finance and competitivenessof technology. The manaoement and the qovern-ment need information on technical and f inanc ieloptions that are open, status of competitive-neSS of indigenous technology in relation toother countries, and its social implications,before a rational ~hoice could be made.

Technoloqy transf~r is a very complexarea. It is affected by various conditions of

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DESHMUKH

the environment. In order to make technoloqytransfer effective and speedy, it is necessaryto know the environmental conditions in whichthe technology has to be transferred, i.e. thelocal material resources, manpower, capitalresources, technoloqical requirements and desir-ed level of development, the various technolo-gies available, the sources from where thetechnologies can be obtained, the conditions forthe import of technologies, their futureimplications to the receipient society, etc.Another important aspect of technology transferis the assessment and evaluation of the techno-logies so that they may suit the environmentand achieve the desired results.

The implications of technology trans!erin developing countries are as folZo!Js:

(a) Policy decisions of the qovernment inrespect of the import of'technologies,desired level of development, supportfor labour intensive technologies, etc.

(b) Local capabilities and resources toadopt the technology.

(c) Maintenance of the adopted technology,equipment, etc.

(d) Socio-economic benefits to be accruedfrom it.

(e) Ecological imbalances to be caused.(f) Adequacy of information policy and

support.(g) Capability to select, evaluate, nego-

tiate, acquire, adopt, and furtherdevelop the technologies.In view of the above complexities,

technology transfer needs a sound informationbase and information services to enable thepolicy makers to evolve right policies and tohelp adaptation, evaluation and application ofrelevent technologies for development.

6. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER FOR RURAL SECTORApplication of scientific and technolo-

gical advances to development in the rural sec-tor requires conditions and mechanisms differ-ent,from those needed for development in theindustrial sector. The technology for ruraldevelopment not only includes adoption of newprocesses and practices in cultivation, but alsomanufacturing of the capital goods for thewhole array of small scale and cottage industriesfisheries, dairying, house construction and soon. This also requires the participation of a

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ROLE OF AN AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY IN TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

greater number of people at the grass-root levelrequiring not only science and technologyinformation but also socio-economic information.

It has long been reco~nised that indealing with rural population the use of indivi-duals either from, or at least thoroughlyacquainted with the locality, tends to producea better response, especially when the contactis supported with practical demonstrations oraudio-visual presentations in the language ofthe community. Reaular broadcasts, discussionsdemonstrations of and popular lectures proveuseful in communicating scientific, technicaland other information related to development torural audience.

The local tranditional techniques andpractices in the rural areas need also berespected. Information on local traditionshelps to relate imported te~hnology and nationalresearch programmes to what rural areas need indeveloping appropriate technology.

In India there is a state communicationchannel going hand in hand with administrativestructure operating at the national level forthe transfer of new technology at lower level.Field workers of various development commis-sions, district officers, block developmentofficers, and specialist extension officers invarious fields comprise this channel. Theseofficials in charge of development programmesof the state can be strongly supported with newtechnical information by creating a liaisonwith NISSAT and the agricultural library systemin the country. Dr. Senor's T & V system alsoemphasizes the importance of technology transferto the agricultural development programmes. Thetransfer of knowhow from specialist to farmeris ensured in two stages i.e. training and visit

Therefore, the agriculture universitylibrary system should be developed hand in handwith and linked to NISSAT to facilitate theflow of information down to the grassroot level.The agricultural library system should befurther developed and existing libraries improv-ed to ensure that everyone has access to a1ibrary.7. THE FUTURE OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN

AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION.International cooperation in the collec-

tion, processing, and sharing of scientificand technical information takes many forms andcan be accomplished through many agencies.There has been an almost universal recognitionthat information is both a national and-inter-national resour(e which should be utilised forthe socio-economic and technological progress

VoT-27 Nos 1-4 (Mar - Dec) 1980

of mankind as a whole. Besides, no nation inthe world, not even the most affluent andtechnologically advanced one, is now in aposition to gather and handle effectively allthe information generated in the world. Thisrealisation has resulted in growing cooperationin the field. The launching of the UNISISTprogramme in 1971 by the UNESCO is a milestonein international cooperation in informationhandling. A number of international infor-mation systems and services, sponsored byvarious United Nations agencies , with theactive participation of Member States, havebeen already established within the conceptualframework of UNISIST e.g. International NuclearInformation System (INIS), International Infor-mation System for Agricultural Sciences andTechnology (AGRIS), Current AgriculturalResearch Information System (CARIS), AquaticSciences and Fisheries Information System(ASFIS), Global Environmental MonitoringSystems (GEMS), International Register ofPotentially Toxic Chemicals (IRPTC), IndustrialInformation System (INDIS). Several infor-mation systems are in the process of beingestablished e.g. Development Sciences Infor-mation System (DEVSIS), Science Policy Infor-mation Exchange System (SPINES). Theseinternational information systems and servicesshould result in reducing, if not completelyeliminating, duplication of information system~and services. These systems are particularlybeneficial to developing countries most ofwhich have neither the material resources ortechnical expertise to have large informationsystems of their own in various fields. Evendeveloped countries have found them useful. Asa result they are slowly discounting suchnational information systems that are no moreneeded because of the existence ~f a compre-hensive international information system inthe field. For example, the United Statesdiscontinued its Nuclear Science Abstractsstarted in 1948 when INIS Atomindex attainedthe status of a comprehensive internationalabstracting periodical in nuclear science andtechnology, in 1976.8. SOURCE OF INFORMATION IN INDIAN AGRICULTURE

The most significant landmark in thefield of documentation and information in thecountry is undoubtedly the laun-ching of theNational Information System for Science andTechnology (NISSAT) by the Department of Scienceand Technology in May 1977. This unique systemacts as a ~oordinating agency to interlink theexisting and future information sources, systemsand services in the field of science and tech-nology {nto an effective national network.Although good progress has been achieved in thebuilding up the system, the pace of its

37

evolution into a national information networkshould be accelerated considerinq the ever-increasing requirements of the Indian scientificand technical community which is the thirdlargest in the world.

Another significant landmark is thesetting up of the National Informatics Centre(NIC) by the Electronics Commission. TheCentre aims at providing the hardware and~oftware for maintaining initially the follow-lng data bases required by several ministries/departments.of the Government, namely, (1) database on agrlculture and environment information(2) data.base on manpower information, (3) database on lndustry and technology information,(4) data base on financial information. It hasbeen planned to provide several interactiveterminals to the user ministries and departmentsfor ready access to the data bases. The NICserv~ces ~ill also be used by NISSAT through atermlnal ln the Department of Science andTechnology.9. TRAINING OF PERSONNEL

Personnel in agricultural researchlibraries will have to be more specialized intechnical, agricultural and closely alliedsciences, if we wish to ~rovide more sophi-sticated information and bibliographic servicesto agricultural scientists. The coursesoffered by Insdoc and DRTC are quite compre-hensive and the calibre of the trainees isgenerally satisfactory, but their intakeshould be enhanced to meet the increasingdemand of existing and new documentation andinformation centres. Information technology isstill in its infancy in the country. Documen-tation and information activities are by andlarge confined mostly to scientific organisa-tions and institutions, national laboratoriesand some large public sector undertakinqs andprivate industrial firms. INSDOC, our nationalscientific documentation centre establishedin 1952, though has done excellent work insome areas, has not yet provided dynamicleadership to the country in the field ofdocumentation and information technology.10. AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY SYSTEM

As per the recommendations of theNational Education Commission (1964), oneagricultural university has been establishedin each state in our country. Recent emphasison agricultural development have necessitatedopening of more than one agricultural univer-sities in same of the states in India. The'main objectives of an agriculture university'are: (i) Making provision for impartingeducation in different branches of knowledge,

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DESHMUKH

particularl~ agriculture, horticulture, veteri-nar~ and an1mal sciences, fisheries, forestry,agr1cultural engineering, home science andallied branches (ii) Furthering the advance-ment of learning and prosecution of researchparticularly in agriculture and allied scien~es(iii) Undertakinq extension work of suchsciences specially to the rural people of thest~te; ~nd (iv) such other purposes as theun1vers1ty may determine from time to time.

. Taking into consideration the objec-t1ves o~ ~h: agricultural university, theresponslb1l1ty of the librarian turns outto.be t~e establishment of a university libraryWh1 ch w ill be central 1ibrary and will caterto the needs of all the staff and studentsresearch scientists, extension workers 'specialists, teachers, policy makers a~dplanners.

Some of the agricultural universities inIndia are multi-campus universities havinqconstituent colleges imparting instructio~s ingraduate and post graduate courses in Aqri-culture and Veterinary Sciences. In suchcases constituent college libraries will haveto develop college libraries for achieving theobjectives of agricultural education, researchand extension. Most of the aariculturaluniversities in India have been established onthe pattern of Land Grant Colle~es in Americaand as such state aovernments h~ve transferredtheir lands alongwith all the responsibilitiesof agricultural research, education andextension education to a~ricultural universitiesAs a result of this, the'aaricultural .researchstations which were already in existence withthe; state governments have also been transferredto agricultural universities. In some of theagricultural universities rural institutes,havebeen established as per the recommendations ofDr. Radhakrishnan Commission (13) for impartingtraining to the farmers. Recently, ICAR hasestablished Krishi Vighyan Kendra under theadministrative control of agricultural univer-sities for imparting training to farmers inrural areas. In addition, ICAR has entrustedvariotis operational research projects to theagricultural universities for the upliftmentof backward areas. In the aqricultural univer-sities in Maharasht~a, there-are agriculturalschools under the faculty of Lower AqriculturalEducation, which gives training to young boysafter completion of their education upto 7thstandard.

In an agricultural university, theirshould be a network of libraries startina fromthe university library which will serve as thecentral library for the whole of the aoricultureuniversity. Then comes colle~e libraries,research station libraries, K:V.K. libraries,

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ROLE OF AN AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY IN TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

O.R.P. libraries and agricultural schoollibraries. The University librarian as Chiefof this library system must collect theliterature of various types concerning agri-cultural education and organise and deveiop thelibraries in such a way that they renderefficient and effective information servicesto clientele.

The various types of information materiallike bibliograhies, abstracts, indexes,reference books, periodicals, annual reports,research papers, directories, yearbooks,encyclopaedias, gazetteers, monographs, maps,atlases, bulletins, annual reviews, andadvances should be procured to satisfy thedemands of the academic community.

Further, university libraries shouldstart the documentation and r.eprography servicesto meet the immediate requirements of researchscientists.11. CONCLUSION11.1 Communication of new developments inagriculture and related fields to the agri-cultural scientists is the main task of aari-cultural universities in India and, therefore,providing adequate information support foracademic research is the main concern ofagriculturql university libraries.11.2 In order to playa vital and construc-tion role in the nation building task inagricultural education, research, extensioneducation, and to mal rrta in communication process0: i~formation transfer to agricultural sClen-tlS~S, well-organised, well-developed, modernaqr icul ture l university libraries should beestablished by each agricultural universityin India.11.3 Efficient library and informationservices presuppose well-trained and well-qualified staff. Therefore, inservice train-ing of library staff in documentation shouldbe imparted by agricultural universities.11.4 Indian Council of Agricultural Researchshould establish National Agricultural Libraryand Information System in collaboration withagricultural university libraries, IARI Libraryand reAR institute libraries as vital sourcesof information in the country.

11.5 National responsibilities are coming toagricultural university libraries in Indiabecause they have knowledge and expertise andas such a network of libraries and information_services should be established by the universitylibrarians wherever there are multicampusagricultural untvers it tes with university

Vol 27 Nos 1-4 (Mar - Dec) 1980

12.1.

2.

4.

5.

6.

library working as the central repositarylibrary and colleqe libraries, research stationlibraries, krishi-vigyan kendra libraries,operational research project libraries andagricultural school libraries, forming thevarious nodes of the network to playa vital andconstructive role in the process of technologytransfer in agriculture.

REFERENCESNeelameghan A: Technology transfer· a~ystem analysis approach to the study oflts features. Annals of Library Scienceand Documentation 1973, 20, 1-25.Fusonie, Alan and Moran, Leila, eds.:International agricultural librarianshipcontinuity and change - Proceedtnos of anInternational Symposium h~ld at theNational Agricultural Library, November4, 1977, London: Greenwood Press.

3. Osburn C B: Academic research andlibrary resources. London: GreenwoodPress.Kiewitt, Eval: Evaluating informationretrieval systems.London: GreenwoodPress.Phadnis S P and others: Training ofagricultural scientists in informationuse. Journal of Library and InformationScience 1977, 2(2), 151-81.Parthasarathy S: National informationsystem for science and tecHnology.Annals of Librarv Science and Docu-mentation 1975, ~2(4), 179-84~

7. Neelameghan A: Technology choice andtechnology transfer,Library Science witha Slant to Documentation 1977 14('3-4)'147-51. "

8. Phadnis S P and Rajpal Sital: Worldagricultural information and availabilityto Indian aaricultural scientists.Annals of Library Science and Docu-mentation 1974, 21(1-2), 32-54.

9. Bose P C: Agricultural research system.Annals of Library Science and Docu-mentation 1976, 23(1).45-7.

10. Parikh K S: Information system foragricultural sector. Annals of LibraryScience and Documentatron 1976, 23(1),48-86.

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DESHMUKH

11. Phadnis S P and Abu Shoaib Ahsan:Indian agricultural data and information.Annals of Library Science and Docu-mentation 1976, 23(1), 87-98. 14.

12. Randhawa M S, Chairman: Report of theReview Committee of ,ll,griculturalUniver-sities, 1978, New Delhi: Indian Councilof Agricultural Research, 1978. J 15.Radhakrishnan S: Report on NationalCommission on Education, 1949. New

13.

Delhi: Ministry of Education, India,1964.Kothary D C, Chairman: Report onNational Commission on Education, 1964.New Delhi: Ministry of Education,India, 1964.Subramaniam C, Chairman: Report of theNational Commission on Agricultural,1976. New Delhi: Ministry of Agri-culture, Irrigation, 1976.

Sta temen t about"ANNALS OF LIBRARY SCIENCE AND DOCUMENTATION"

under Rule 8 of the Registration of Newspapers(Central Rules 1956)

1 Place of Publication Insdoc,Hillside Road,Delhi 122 Periodicity of its

publication3 Printer's Name

NationalityAddress

4 Publisher's NameNational ityAddress

5 Editor's NameNationalityAddress

6 Name and address ofindividuals who ownthe newspaper andpartners or share-holders holdingmore than one percent of the totalcapital.

QuarterlyV. RamachandranIndi anInsdoc. Hillside Road,Delhi 12V. RamachandranIndianInsdoc, Hillside Road,Delhi 12B. GuhaIndianInsdoc. Hillside Road. Delhi 12

(an organisation of the Councilof SCientific and IndustrialResearch, New Delhi)

1, V. Ramachandran, hereby declare that theparticulars given above are true to the best of myknowledge and belief.

Dated: 29.2:1960

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Sd. V. RamachandranSignature of Publisher

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