The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), established in 1990, is among the youngest of the Science Academies of India. It owes its origin to the vision of the late Dr. B. P. Pal, FRS. The Academy focuses on the broad field of agricultural sciences including crop husbandry, animal husbandry, fisheries, agro-forestry and interface between agriculture and agro-industry. The Academy’s role is to provide a forum to Agricultural Scientists to deliberate on important issues of agricultural research, education and extension and present views of the scientific community as policy inputs to planners, decision/opinion makers at various levels. To achieve this, the Academy organizes and supports national and international congresses, conferences, seminars, symposia, workshops and brainstorming sessions on critical issues in the field of agricultural sciences. The Academy accords recognition to scientists at various levels, and encourages cutting edge research in different fields of agricultural sciences. In 2001, the Academy instituted a scheme of NAAS-TATA Research Fellowships for Young Scientists (with one for the North East Region) with support from the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust. In 2003, ‘Associateship’ of the Academy was introduced for Young Scientists.

The Academy has emerged as a vibrant national level body devoted to agricultural sciences. It has organized several programmes of national and international importance in critical areas. The Fellows of the Academy, recognized for their contributions to science, include distinguished personalities in the field of Agriculture and Allied Sciences, both from India and abroad. “Corporate Fellowship” is attracting involvement of Industry in supporting the activities of the Academy. In the year 2002, the Academy has also introduced a scheme for “Corporate Membership” to provide wider participation of the corporate sector.


Objectives

• promote ecologically sustainable agriculture,

• recognize and promote excellence of individual scientists in the field of agriculture,

• promote interaction among research workers in different institutions and organizations within the country and with the world scientific community,

• publish specific studies including those intended for policy-makers for the advancement of agricultural research and development, and

• carry out such activities as are relevant to the accomplishment of the above goals.