Documentation System and its Utilisation in Indian Agriculture

Abstract

The needfor developing an efficient Communication-Information-Documentation- System to suit Indian agriculture is keenly felt in the context of world germplasm ofseveral crops that have been assembled, maintained and utilised in India. The documentation systems available in various countries are reviewed and it is suggested that the EXIR information retrieval programme could be adopted with modifications. An organisational network with establishment of Field Stations, Regional Centres and Genetic Resource Centres prOViding a link with National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi is suggested to initiate documentation and allied activities like maintenance and distribution ofgermplasm in India. NBPGR can take the final responsibility of collating and executing the activities related to documentation. The spheres of research and information dissemination that would get catalysed as a consequence, are briefly described.