Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, in collaboration with the University of Delhi, organized a two-day Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)-sponsored workshop on “R Programming for Agricultural Sciences” under the Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) programme. The workshop aimed to strengthen computational and data analytical skills among agricultural researchers through hands-on training in the open-source statistical software R.
Experts Highlight AI and Data Science in Agriculture
Prof Raj Kishore Sharma, University of Delhi, and Project Coordinator of the ANRF-PAIR programme, underscored the growing importance of data science, artificial intelligence (AI) and statistical programming in modern agricultural research. He stated that R had become an indispensable tool for analyzing research data and generating evidence-based solutions for sustainable agriculture. Prof Desh Raj Chaudhary, Director of Research at CSK agriculture university, called for more student-centric workshops in agriculture and allied sciences to equip young researchers with emerging scientific knowledge and practical research skills.
Transformative Role of AI Emphasized
Prof Rajan Katoch, Dean of the College of Basic Sciences at the agriculture university, highlighted the transformative role of AI in agriculture and stressed the need to familiarize students with AI-based tools and applications. The workshop saw participation from over 65 individuals, including students, researchers and faculty members. Participants received practical training in statistical analysis, graphical visualization and agricultural data analysis using R programming.
Technical Sessions and Collaboration
Abhishek Walia and Radhika Sharma of Palampur university convened the programme. Shailender Kumar Verma, Anand Kumar Bharti and Rajat Bhatt from the University of Delhi conducted the technical sessions and provided hands-on demonstrations of R programming and its applications in agricultural research. Organizers expressed confidence that the workshop would significantly enhance research capabilities, promote digital and analytical competencies among young scientists, and further strengthen the academic and research partnership between Palampur university and the University of Delhi under the ANRF-PAIR programme.
