Preamble
To encourage/ conduct the location specific research in the State, Council
pools financial assistance from various institutes/ sources viz. GOUP, Rajya
Krishi Utpadan Mandi Parishad, World Bank, State Planning Commission, Council
of Science and Technology (CST), U.P. Seeds and Tarai Development Corporation
(UPSTDC), Government of India (GOI), and others. To meet out the objectives,
the earnings of the research funds are being invested in priority research
areas for increasing the agricultural production and productivity. While
identifying the research projects, it is envisaged that projects should
concern priority areas and help in increasing agricultural productivity/
total production within the minimum possible period.
In this context, the Rajya Krishi Utpadan Mandi Parishad provided a sum
of Rs. 4.00 crores in the year 1993 and thereby Shodh Nidhi was created
at U.P. Council of Agricultural Research (UPCAR). The projects funded with
this Nidhi (Funds) are known as Shodh Nidhi Projects.
Research Advisory Committee (RAC)
The council, for utilising the Shodh Nidhi Funds, has developed guidelines,
formats, rules and regulations and constituted a Research Advisory Committee
(RAC) duly approved by the Management Committee.
Procedures for Funding through Shodh Nidhi
Research Proposals in the area of agriculture and allied sectors based on
research and development priorities for the state are invited from different
research organisation viz. State Agriculture Universities (SAUs), ICAR and
CSIR Institutes established in the state, Deemed Agriculture Universities,
Agricultural Institutes of Central Universities and NGOs through circulation
as well as print media.
The research proposals are firstly invited in the form of synopses and after
the screening, the detailed proposals of the selected one are requested.
The detailed proposals are evaluated by the Peer Reviewers. On receipt of
the Evaluation Report from the Peer reviewers, Proposals are submitted before
RAC for final approval for funding.
Release of Fund
As per the Shodh Nidhi Guidelines, a MOU is signed in between UPCAR and
Sponsoring Institutions before the release of fund in approved projects.
As per the provision, the maximum budget limit is of Rs. 10.00 lacs for
a period of 3 years. The project period may be extended for 2 more years
in specific situations. The first instalment for a period of six months
is released just after MOU is signed. The following instalments are released
on receipt of satisfactory Half Yearly Technical Progress Report and Budget
Utilisation Certificate.
Monitoring of Research Projects
Monitoring of Shodh Nidhi Funded Projects is done in two ways namely, (i)
on the basis of Progress Reports (Half Yearly and Annual) submitted by the
Principal Investigator (PI) and (ii) through visit by the Scientists of
the council. The review of on-going projects is done in the chairmanship
of Director General, UPCAR in which PIs of the respective projects present
the progress of the work.
Utilization of Research Recommendations
The findings of the research are circulated to different line departments
viz. Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries etc. for their
wide dissemination among farmers and end users. The findings of the research
are also incorporated in Package of Practices prepared by Department of
Agriculture and Horticulture for different agricultural and horticultural
crops, respectively.
Ongoing Research Projects under Shodh Nidhi 
Completed Research Projects under Shodh Nidhi
