A test check of three sponsored projects however, revealed as under :

2.2.5.2.1    Non-dissemination of technologies

(a)    Indo-German collaborative research project

Project concluded without dissemination of technology to end-users

The NDRI undertook an Indo-German collaborative research project entitled “Studies on heat stability of membrane - concentrated milk meant for ultra-high temperature (UHT) sterilisation” during 1996 to 1999 with foreign assistance of Deutsche Mark 84600. The project was undertaken with the major objective of employing membrane systems to concentrate milk and examine the heat stability and other physical properties of the product as influenced by the compositional modifications effected by the concentration process. However, the project was concluded without any dissemination of technology to end-users and to that extent was unsuccessful.

Accepting the facts, the NDRI stated in August 2000 that the objective was achieved but the information generated under the project would be utilised in practice by subjecting the concentrate to UHT sterilisation. In the absence of UHT processing equipment, it had not so far been possible to test the technology at application level. It was also stated that it was pursuing another sponsored project under which a UHT pilot plant would be procured and technology dissemination would be achieved.

However, the Council stated (June 2001) that the major component under the project was the visit of scientists to Germany for acquainting them on “Heat stability and other physical properties” of milk using UHT, which had been achieved and the absence of UHT processing equipment has not hampered Human Resource Development (HRD). The Council’s reply conveys the impression that visit of scientists to Germany as part of the HRD component was the primary objective of the project, which is not acceptable to audit.

(b)    Agricultural Produce Cess fund project

Non-quantification of main technical programme

The NDRI under took an ad-hoc research project to be financed out of Agricultural Produce Cess Fund of the Council in April 1993 entitled "Methanogenesis and production of green house gases under animal husbandry system" at a cost of Rs 24.60 lakh to be completed by 31 March 1998.

The objectives of the project were :

(a)    Study of the extent of methane production by ruminants on different feeds available in various regions.

(b)    Characterization of the rumen micro-organism degrading feed constituents into VFA, CO₂ and CH₄ in ruminants and study the effect of methane inhibitors in methane production.

(c)    Development of management strategies with methane inhibitors and manipulation of rumen fermentation for minimising gaseous emission from ruminants.

Against the sanctioned cost, the NDRI received Rs 21.48 lakh of which an expenditure of Rs 18.69 lakh was incurred till completion of project in March 1998. The final report of project disclosed that the main technical programme i.e. methane production in different regions could not be quantified because the ruminant livestock was not available region wise. The final report also made certain suggestions for future line of work in order to clarify the position with reference to green house gas emission by Indian ruminant livestock. The project was not evaluated by an expert scientific panel to assess the achievement against objectives.

The Council stated (June 2001) that all the three objectives had been achieved but the data was based on in-vitro studies, as it was not possible to measure methane production from live animals placed in different regions of the country. The Council also stated that there was no provision to evaluate the funded project at the Institute level except by SRC and it was for ICAR to get it evaluated. The Council was silent about the suggestion for future line of work and status of evaluation of project to assess its successful completion. The Council’s reply has to be viewed in light of the fact that the data is based on in-vitro studies. The institute has failed to measure methane production from live animals in different region of the country even on sample basis. Thus, the data generated by the Institute to that extent was incomplete.

(c)    ATI-NDRI Collaborative Project

Unfruitful expenditure on the project of Rs 19.67 lakh

A collaborative project entitled, “Studies on the evaluation and modification of the cold process molasses urea block (MUB) lick to improve the rumen fermentation and reduce methane production in ruminant animals” funded by Appropriate Technology International (ATI), Washington was taken up by NDRI in May, 1995 for five years i.e. upto 14.4.2000 at a cost of Rs 22.20 lakh. The project had the following objectives:

1. To study the effect of supplementation of MUB lick (cold process) on straw based diet on intake, digestibility nutrient utilisation and nutrient balances.
2. To study the effect of supplementation of MUB lick to straw diet on rumen fermentation pattern.
3. To study the methane production on feeding of MUB lick to ruminant animals in the field in collaboration with other project partners.
4. To modify the MUB lick if required for high propionate and lower methane production.
5. To study the effect of feeding cold process blocks on rumen fermentation and methane production.
6. To study the effect of MUB lick on production performance of the animals.
7. To evaluate the feasibility of SF tracer gas in methane measurement technology for implementation in Indian conditions.

During the project period Institute received an amount of Rs 21.67 lakh against which an expenditure of Rs 19.67 lakh was incurred. However, the Principal Investigator had left NDRI in 1999 and the Project remained incomplete. The Council did not agree to extend the project. Resultantly, the expenditure of Rs 19.67 lakh proved unfruitful.

2.2.5.3    Extension activities

Extension activities were restricted only to Karnal district

Extension deals with the dissemination of technical know-how to clientele/dairy farming community through different activities. It involves education of farming/dairying community. A scrutiny of six completed in-house research projects of Extension Division for the period 1996-1999 revealed that four research projects, which were confined only to Karnal district remained inconclusive (Annex-II). Further, technologies in the field of breeding, feeding, fodder demonstration, animal health care and animal management were transferred to eight villages in 1996, 13 villages in 1997, three villages each in 1998 and 1999 in Karnal district. In view of this, one of the important requirements of the system to have widespread linkages with dairy farming community was missing. Hence extension activities of the Institute at national level were required to be reviewed and a concrete action programme needs to be formulated for application across the country.

The SRC in the meeting held in December 1999 observed that there was a need to develop subject matter specialisation for dissemination of technologies developed at the NDRI for infusion in the rural and industry sectors. No concrete action was taken by the NDRI in this regard.

The Council stated (June 2001) that the extension activities were being done by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Trainers Trainee Centre (TTC) and two centres of advanced studies - Eastern Regional Station, Kalyani, Southern Regional Station, Bangalore and that the research findings/technologies were effectively disseminated through Dairy Samachar/News bulletins circulated to state dairy departments, State Agricultural Universities. The Council was silent about the details of technologies handed over to Extension Division in the absence of which it is not clear how the extension activities were being carried out. Lack of adequate extension activity was reflected in RAC meeting held in October 2000 in which it was observed that extension mechanism had not been established effectively and therefore, proper linkages with end users must be developed.

After 1987, only one patent could be obtained in 1995

While examining the issues relating to development, patenting and transfer of technology, it was found that there was no effective mechanism in the NDRI for transfer of technology. Although 111 in-house projects were completed and 12 technologies were developed during 1996-2000, no technology was got patented by the NDRI. After 1987, only one patent had been obtained in June 1995. The NDRI had sent the proposal to the ICAR for filing the patents in seven technologies during 1996-2001. Further progress in the matter was not made available to audit.

The Council stated (June 2001) that the applications filed for patenting the technology would be pursued. However, the fact remains that no patent has been awarded to NDRI in the last six years.

NDRI could not attract dairy industry for rendering major consultancies

Government of India had emphasised the development of indigenous technology and its effective transfer to Industry. Accordingly, a Consultancy Service Board was established at the NDRI, Karnal to facilitate transfer of technologies developed on the basis of Research and Development (R&D) work in the areas of dairy production, dairy processing and dairy management on professional basis.

However, NDRI’s performance as regards earnings from consultancy services was inadequate. It was able to earn only Rs 26.69 lakh during 1996-2001 and that too, from sale of starter culture and service charges towards testing of samples. It did not perform any consultancies for industry. The Consultancy Board did not meet during 1998-2000 as against the requirement of meeting once in three months. Consequently, NDRI failed in generating alternate resources to reduce dependence on government funding.

The Council stated (June 2001) that the consultancy work at NDRI was in its infancy and that earnings from consultancy in 2000-2001were considerably high. However, consultancy fees earned during 2000-2001 were only Rs 5.17 lakh. The negligible earnings were indicative of a failure to effectively promote its consultancy capabilities with the dairy industry in the country.

Monitoring and evaluation arrangements were inadequate and neglected

The research activities of the NDRI are monitored by the SRC, RAC, BOM and QRT. The internal review of in-house research projects is done by the SRC while external review of research activities is done by the RAC. The SRC was to meet twice and the RAC once in a calendar year and the QRT was to meet after every five years. It was, however, observed that no meeting of the RAC was held in 1997 and 1999. Similarly, the SRC met only once in 1996 and 1998. Resultantly, concerned projects did not have the benefit of suggestions of the SRC/RAC. It was essential to review ongoing research programmes to adjudge their relevance in the national and global context and to ensure that they were consistent with NDRI mandate.

Further, the proceedings of the SRC meetings held between August, 1996 and December, 1999 revealed that the SRC did not monitor the follow-up action on the recommendations of the QRT (1986-1992) with respect to technical programmes of the Institute as was already pointed out in paragraph 5.1.6 of the Report of Comptroller and Auditor General of India Union Government (Scientific Departments) for the year ended March 1996. Further, the Quinquennial Review, which was essential for monitoring the progress of research, its relevance and excellence, and providing guidelines for fulfilment of mission and achievements of goals of Institute, was over due for the last three years. As such, the review of the NDRI could not be made by the QRT for the period 1993-99.

The Board of Management (BOM) which is the highest policy making body of the Institute, was required to meet at least once in a quarter every year. However, it held only three meetings i.e. two in 1996-97 and one in 1997-98 and none during 1998-2001. Thus, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms in the NDRI were inadequate and neglected.

The Council’s reply (June 2001) was not specific to the points raised in audit. Instead the Council briefly referred to the meetings of the QRT constituted to study and assess the work done by NDRI during the period 1986 to 1991.

Decrease in average yield per acre of fodder crops led to its insufficient supply

The NDRI had a total area of 1396.56 acres. Of this, 948.68 acres were under cultivation, where fodder crops like jawar (single cut), jawar (multi cut), berseem, maize (winter), oats etc. and grain crops like paddy, wheat, barley and oats are sown. An expenditure of Rs 53.03 lakh was incurred on fertilizers and chemicals during 1996-2001. In the case of fodder crops there was constant steep decrease in average yield per acre i.e. Jawar (single cut) 187.68 quintals (qtls.) to 73.17 qtls., Jawar (multi cut) 314.42 qtls. to 231.85 qtls., maize (winter) 138.75 qtls. to 49.87 qtls. and oats 166.86 qtls. to 129.02 qtls. per acre during the above period.

The Council stated (June-2001) that the trend was reversed in 1999-2000 but production of fodder crop could not attain its production level of 1996-97. It added that fluctuations were due to seasonal effects and all efforts would be made to have high yield per unit area of all the crops.

During 1996-2001, 1149 animal died due to various diseases

As on 1 April 1996, the Institute had a herd strength of 830 cows, 360 buffaloes and 437 goats. The herd strength came to the lowest on 1 April 1998 when it went down to 713 cows, 336 buffaloes and 286 goats. During the period 1996-2001, 1149 animals died due to various diseases and the mortality rate ranged from 12.26 per cent to 22.29 per cent of the herd strength. BOM in its meeting held in May 2001 had also stressed the need for better management to reduce mortality rate.

The Council accepted (June 2001) that the mortality was higher in 1998-99 in case of young calves due to unfavourable weather conditions for which steps were being taken by modification in microclimate of calf sheds/pens etc. The Council further stated that by concerted effort mortality rate had been reversed. However, the mortality rate was still 13.18 per cent in 1999-2000.

During 1996-2001, total milk production decreased from 13.98 lakh kg to 13.39 lakh kg

During 1996-2001, the herd strength of the NDRI which includes cows, buffaloes and goats ranged from 1321 to 1627. Of this, average number of animals in milk per day remained between 444 to 483. The details of total milk produced with wet average of cow (breed-wise), buffalo and goat per day was as under :