National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management - NIASM

About National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management - NIASM

National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management (NIASM) is a Deemed and Research based University. NIASM was established in at Malegaon Khurd, Baramati after it was realised by the government that climatic change was adversely affecting agriculture, horticulture, livestock, fisheries and other agricultural activities. On 19^th January 2009, the Union Cabinet approved in XI plan, the establishment of National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management with a status of Deemed-to-be University. Its foundation stone was laid by Shri Sharadchandraji Pawar, Minister of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, GOI on 21^st February, 2009. The Government of Maharashtra allotted 56.49 ha land for the institute and another 4 ha land for residential   colony.

NIASM is a unique institute of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). It is unique in the sense that it researches on negative impact of non-living factors on the living organisms in a specific environment. In the world only 9% of the area is conducive for crop production, while 91% is under stress. This includes 24% under  drought,21% has got shallow depth, 21% is under mineral stress and 14% is under freezing stress and 11% is water logged. Similarly, in India also 67% of the area is rainfed and crops in these areas invariably experience droughts of different magnitudes. Although in the country 33% of the cropped area is under irrigation, yet here crop production is constrained by environmental stresses like thermal. The abiotic stresses are estimated to be responsible for over 50% reduction in agricultural production.

Although several research institutes of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) are working on abiotic stresses, the efforts are far too inadequate, considering the magnitude of the problem. National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management aims at exploring the avenues for management of abiotic stresses affecting the very sustainability of national food production systems. It specifically addresses the aberration induced stresses due to atmospheric, water and edaphic factors, which are estimated to cause 50 per cent losses in crop productivity. Since these stresses are predicted to amplify due to climate change and land degradation, the primary task for the institute is to evolve alleviation techniques through advances in frontier science research.

The institute conducts research programmes through Four Schools/Divisions/Units namely:

NIASM Divisions/Units

• School of Atmospheric Stress Management – It studies impact of extreme weather events like elevated CO, heat wave, cold wave, freezing injuries, severe sand storms, aerosols, radiation hazards, etc. on major food and horticultural crops, livestock and fisheries

• School of Drought Stress Management – It concentrates on plants, animals and fisheries research

• School of Edaphic Stress Management – It studies genetic and molecular basis of  tolerance and ion homeostasis under salinity, nutrient deficiencies, heavy metal excesses, waterlogging, poor quality water in major food and horticultural crops, animals, microorganisms and fishes

• School of Policy Support  - It concentrates on monitoring climate, CO2/CO3 emissions under different land use systems and their influence on plants, animals and human beings, climate change and livestock, human health, impact on natural resources and surface processes 

Location – NIASM is a city and a Municipal Council in Pune district in the state of Maharashtra. The area is in the semi-arid tract of the plains of Western Ghats.

Transportation

The nearest airport is at Pune. There is also an airport in Baramati under development.

Facilities at National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management

Sophisticated Instruments’ Facilities – Some of these instruments include:

• Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer
• Digestion Room with CHNSO analyzers
• Environmental Shakers
• ICPMS with advanced microwave digestion system
• Liquid Scintillation Counter
• Macro array hybridization system with image analysis

Laboratories – The laboratories include Agromet, Agronomy & Soils, Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Avian Physiology & Nutrition, Fisheries Physiology & Nutrition, Genomic Research with (cold) Banks, Microbial Diversity & Physiology

Other Facilities include:

• Auditorium
• Canteen
• Community Hall