Dear Sir!

Greetings from ATARI, Hyderabad.

I am very pleased to inform you that Dr. Shaik N Meera, Principal Scientist (Ag. Extension), ICAR-IIRR, Hyderabad assumed the charge of  Director,  ICAR-ATARI, Hyderabad on the afternoon of  10^th February.

Dr. Shaik N. Meera has notable professional accomplishments in digital agriculture and extension systems, with substantial international experience. With a unique blend of domain expertise in ICT and extension, he led large-scale impact acceleration efforts in India and abroad.

During 2020-22, he worked as a Senior Technical Expert (Digital Agriculture and Extension Systems) at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). He designed and deployed innovative digital extension strategies and programs across the rural value chains in 18 countries in the Near East, North Africa, Central Asia, and Europe (NEN) region. He extended technical support to national and International organizations in modernizing their extension programs with Mobile and Cloud Computing.

From 2003-2020, he led 14 large-scale extension, ICT, and development projects. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recognized the Rice Knowledge Management Portal developed by him as Consortium Leader, as one of the best use cases of digital applications in agriculture (B: C Ratio of 1.46:1). 

As National Coordinator of the Indian Frontline Demonstrations Program, Dr. Meera coordinated 10,640 FLDs with 106 AICRIP centers and 54 KVKs and introduced 375 new rice varieties/ hybrids, benefitting 26,600 rice farmers directly.