A survey was conducted by IASRI before preparing this project proposal for examining the software requirement of various Institutes, NRCs, PDs, SAUs, etc. The requirement was with respect to the data analysis requirements in agricultural research. The non-response was high in this survey. Meetings were organized with the user scientists across disciplines, Institutes and geographical regions. In these meetings, users emphasized that the availability of a general purpose statistical package is the requirement of the NARS. The availability of general purpose statistical package would help in the proper statistical analysis of data and drawing statistically valid conclusions and hence in improving the quality of research.  However, accuracy and reliability of computations along with ensured technical support should be one of the keys for deciding on the procurement of statistical package.

It was expressed by stakeholders (CIFE and CIFA) that the availability of general purpose statistical package i.e. SAS, has improved the quality of research and education at their respective Institutions. The scientists and the students have been able to publish their research in international journals. Further details provided by them are enclosed.

While procuring a general purpose statistical package, it should be ensured that it has perpetual license and good technical support.

The software to be procured should provide statistical computing on almost all aspects, including modern developments in genetics particularly statistical genomics, QTL analysis, microarray analysis, etc. To achieve this successfully, the project should focus on only one software which has the capability of providing by and large statistical computing solutions to all the problems faced by scientists in NARS.

Further, fine tuning with respect to modules/ ad-ons requirements of the Institutes will be done. This would help in determining a realistic requirement of the organizations (number of licenses required for the general purpose package). In this fine tuning, it will also be decided that which organizations would get Network license and which will get stand alone versions.

Workshops Proposed: The lead centre would organize a launch workshop in the beginning of the project. At the end of the project it would organize a completion workshop. At each statistical computing hub including the lead centre, one orientation training programme will be organized to acquaint at least one person from each organization (henceforth will be called the nodal person) in the region about the installation and basics about the usage of software.  In each orientation training programme the resource persons from the software companies would be asked to deliver lectures along with the in-house faculty. There would be 3 annual review meetings during the period of the project.

During the Launch workshop at Lead Centre and orientation training programmes at each of the 8 other statistical computing hubs, the requirements with respect to training of the scientific and technical personnel would be carried out for the usages of high end general purpose statistical software package. Based on these workshop/ training programmes, requirements for specific customized training programmes would be finalized.