AAU

Academic Background

Education & Career Milestones

Educational Qualifications

B. Sc. (Agri)

1985

College of Agriculture, Assam agricultural University

M. Sc. (Agri)

1987

Assam agricultural University, Jorhat

Specialization: Agronomy

Ph. D.

1995

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore

Specialization: Water Management

Employment History

Jr. Research Assistant

25-03-1987 – 07-04-1988

Assam Agricultural University

Regional Agricultural Research Station, Shillongani, Nagaon

Jr. Scientist

08-04-1988 – 20-05-1992

Assam Agricultural University

AICRP on Water Management, AAU, Jorhat

Assistant Professor (Study leave for pursuing Ph.D. at TNAU, Coimbatore)

21-05-1992 – 18-06-1995

Assam Agricultural University

AAU, Jorhat

Jr. Scientist (Agro)

19-06-1995 – 10-01-1997

Assam Agricultural University

AICRP on Potato, Dept. of Agronomy, Jorhat

Sr. Scientist

11-01-1997 – 30-06-2006

Assam Agricultural University

AICRP on Potato, Dept. of Agronomy, Jorhat

Pr. Scientist

01-07-2006 – 12-07-2009

Assam Agricultural University

AICRP on Potato, Dept. of Agronomy, Jorhat

Pr. Scientist (Agro)

13-07-2009 – 12-09-2011

Assam Agricultural University

Regional Agricultural Research Station, Gossaigaon

Programme Coordinator

13-09-2011 – 15-06-2012

Assam Agricultural University

Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Nagaon

Pr. Scientist

27-06-2012 – 03-12-2020

Assam Agricultural University

Directorate of Research (Agri), AAU, Jorhat

Assoc. Director of Research

04-12-2020 – Till date

Assam Agricultural University

Directorate of Research (Agri)

Research & Scholarship

Scholarly Publications 27 Total Records

S K Borah; K Pathak; MRINAL SAIKIA; B K Medhi; R Das; J Goswami; M J Konwar; S S Bora (2024). Precision nitrogen management in wet direct seeded sali rice through green seeker, leaf colour chart and nano nitrogen, International Journal of Research In Agronomy, 7(2), 233–237 DOI: htttps://doi.org/10.33545/2618060X.2024.v7.i2d.309

H H Sarma; S K Dutta; M J Konwar; N T Rafiq; MRINAL SAIKIA; S R Borah (2024). Impact of establishment techniques and weed management strategies on growth, yield attributes and yield in wet direct seeded winter rice, Plant Achieves, 24(1), 775–778 DOI: https://doi.org/10.51470/plant archieves.2024.v24.

J Naveen; K Kurmi; MRINAL SAIKIA; K Pathak; V Kumar; R Borgohain; A K Srivastava; S Khandai; P Peramaiyan; V Kumar; M Sarma; B Gogoi; K Singh; S Singh; S Kundu; K S (2024). Evaluating the effect of fertilizer deep placement on green house gas emission and nutrient use efficiency in wet direct seeded rice during the wet season in Assam, India, Agriculture, 14(0), 1–16 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14112061

N Borah; S K Chetia; P K Pathak; A Sarma; Mrinal Saikia; K Pathak; R Borgohain; U Kotoky; R Phukon; S Mahanta; R K Saud; S Barman; S Kalita; D Hazarika; H Hazarika; (2024). Soil fertility, crop productivity, cropping intensity and livelihood enhancement in Titabar, Assam, India: A participatory approach through farmer first programme, Journal of scientific research and reports , 30(12), 341–349 DOI: https://doi.org/10.9734/srr/2024/V30i122678

P Ahmed; M Saikia; K Pathak; M Choudhury; B Rahman; H Ojah; R K Nath (2023). Productivity, profitability and soil health assessment of rice-green gram-maize cropping sequence under different sowing dates and nitrogen management in rainfed ipland condition of Assam, Agricultural Mechanization in Asia, 54(2), 11729–11739

R Kalita; R K Thakuria; B K Medhi; M Saikia (2023). Production maximization of rainy season rice through effective use of water and solar radiation under modified system of rice intensification in Assam, Indian Journal of Agronomy, 68(1), 1–8

Ujjal Baruah; Sangita Das; Prakash Kalita; Mrinal Saikia; Sunil Bhougal; S Pal; R Das (2023). High night temperature induced changes in chlorophyll Fluorescence, gas exchange and leaf anatomy determine grain yield in rice varieties, Journal of Plant Growth Regulations, 0(0), 1–20 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003444-023-10934-z

Parves Ahmed; Mrinal Saikia; Kalyan Pathak (2020). Effect of Microclimatic Regimes and Nitrogen Management on Growth and Yield of Direct Seeded Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under Rainfed Condition, International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 8(2), 1351–1358

Parves Ahmed; Mrinal Saikia; Kalyan Pathak; M Choudhury (2020). Effect of microclimatic regimes and nitrogen management practices on phenology, yield and agrometeorological indices for rabi maize, Journal of Phamacognosy and Phtytochemsitry, 9(5), 971–974

Debasish Baruah; Mrinal Saikia (2018). Agronomic biofortification in rice varieties through zinc fertilization under aerobic condition, Indian Journal of Agricultural Research, 52(1), 89–92

Mrinal Saikia (2015). Effect of irrigation and mulching on growth, yield and water use efficiency of potato in Assam, Potato Journal, 38(1), 81–83

Mrinal Saikia; Hemen C Bhattacharyya; Sunil K Bhattacharyya (2013). Growth and yield of blackgram [Vigna mungo (L) Hepper] with integration of stale seedbed and nutrient management practices, Agricultural Science Digest, 33(1), 80–81

Mrinal Saikia; N Balasubramaniam (1998). Effect of irrigation and P fertilization on root growth and yield of wet-seeded and transplanted rice, Oryza, 35(3), 260–263

Kalita, S. and SAIKIA, M. (2024). Pest and diseases forecasting in rice based cropping systems: Tools, Techniques and approaches, in: Singh, S. and Borgohain, R. (Eds.), Sustainable Technologies for rice based cropping system in Assam, SM Press, Jorhat, Assam , pp 264–294, ISBN: 978-81-967666-2-7.

SAIKIA, M. (2024). Crop residue management in rice based cropping system, in: Singh, S.; Borgohain, R.; (Eds.), Sustainable Technologies for rice based cropping system in Assam, SM Press, Jorhat, Assam, pp 153–179, ISBN: 978-81-967666-2-7.

SAIKIA, M. (2023). Impact of crop production technologies with respect to crop establishment on improving rice yield in Assam, in: Hussain, S.; Baruah, P.; Borah, S.R.; Chetia, S.K.; (Eds.), 100 years of rice research in Assam, SM Press, Baruah Chariali, Jorhat, pp 88–95, ISBN: 978-81-965526-5-7.

Pathak, K.; Saikia, M. and Knowar, M.J. (2023). Climate smart irrigation practices in Assam, in: Baruah, P.; Dutta, P. and Konwar, M.J. Chetia, S.K.; (Eds.), Climate smart agriculture interventions in Assam: Challenges, experiences and success stories, AAU-ARRI, Titabar, Titabar, Jorhat, pp 77–82, ISBN: 978-81-951213-2-8.

Chouhan, M.K.; Saikia, M.; Bhattacharyya, A.; Pathak, K.; Das, D. and Mahanta, N.J. (2023). An affordable means for small farm mechanization through CHC, in: Barua, P.; Dutta, P.; Konwar, M.J.; Chetia, S.K.; (Eds.), Climate smart agriculture interventions in Assam: Challenges, experiences and success stories, AAU-ARRI, Titabar, Titabar, Jorhat, pp 35–45, ISBN: 978-81-951213-2-8.

Saikia, M. (2022). Climate smart tools for raising crop production and crop residue management, in: Borah, J.L.; Knowar, M.J.; Chetia, S.K.; (Eds.), Training manual on Climate smart rice breeding: Concepts and application in context to NE India, AAU-ARRI, Titabar, Titabar, Jorhat, pp 28–36.

Devi, K.D. (2020). Effect of Varieties and Integrated Nutrient Management Practices in Rapeseed and Mustard under Rice-fallow situation. M. Sc. thesis submitted to Agronomy, Assam Agricultural University, AAU, Jorhat 785 013

Konwar, M.J. (2019). Real time Nitrogen application in winter rice under different crop establishment techniques. Ph. D. thesis submitted to Agronomy, Assam Agricultural University, AAU, Jorhat 785 013

Ahmed, P. (2018). Climate Smart Crop Intensification through rice-green gram-maize system as influenced by different micro-climatic regimes and nitrogen management. Ph. D. thesis submitted to Agronomy, Assam Agricultural University, AAU, Jorhat 785 013

Borah, D. (2015). Agronomic Biofortification in rice varieties through zinc fertilization under aerobic condition. M. Sc. thesis submitted to Agronomy, Assam Agricultural University, AAU, Jorhat 785 013

Naveen, J. (2015). Nutrient management practices and moisture conservation in organic baby corn production. M. Sc. thesis submitted to Agronomy, Assam Agricultural University, AAU, Jorhat 785 013

Helim, R. (1998). Effect of tuberlet sizes and fertilizer levels on the yield of two true potato seed (TPS) varieties. M. Sc. thesis submitted to Agronomy, Assam Agricultural University, AAU, Jorhat 785 013

Saikia, M.; Pathak, P.K. and Saud, R.K. (2018). Rabi Sashyar Botorot Makoir Unnat Krishi Padhati . Assam Agricultural University, Directorate of Research (Agri), AAU, Jorhat

Saikia, M.; Pathak, P.K. and Saud, R.K. (2018). Alu Khetir Unnat Krishi Padhati. Assam Agricultural University, Directorate of Research (Agri), AAU, Jorhat

DUS TEST CENTER UNDER PPVFRA

Implemented in 2024

AICRP Rs. 1.00 Crore

AICRP ob Seed (Crops)

Implemented in 1995

GIZ Rs. 75.00 Lakh

Assessment of agro-ecology based cropping systems and natural bioinputs for soil health improvement and product quality enhancement in Assam

Implemented in 2023

NIRD Rs. 2.0 Lakh

Morpho-physiological, biochemical and genotypic Evaluation of Upendra Rice

Implemented in 2022

DRMR, Mau Rs. 6.00 Lakh

AAU-DRMR collaborative project

Implemented in 2022

NATP Rs. 17.43 Lakh

Develop sustainable potato based production system for eastern plains with the use of true potato seed (TPS)

Implemented in 1999

Oil India Ltd, Duliajan Rs. 65.0 Lakh

Augmentation of Agriculture through Efficient Resource Utilization with Participatory Approach

Implemented in 2018

ICAR Rs. 7.0 Lakh

Evaluation of On-farm Storage Methods of Seed Potatoes in Assam

Implemented in 1998

Recognition & Accolades

Achievements & Honours 3 Honours

Professional experience: 1.1: I was deputed by the University for Inspection of potato seed production system and functioning of the potato seed farms at Kolkata, West Bengal on request of Director of Agriculture, Govt. of Assam
1.2: Engaged in providing technical support for planning and execution of objective-wise activities carrying out in selected districts under the World Bank financed Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project (APART) in Collaboration with International Potato Centre (CIP)
1.3: I was also entrusted to prepare the detailed project report (DPR) of the Assam Govt. project “Majuli as Organic Hub” on request of the Deputy Commissioner, Majuli and the work was done successfully.
1.4: Involved in evaluation of project from Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textile, GOI, Berhampur, West Bengal
1.5: Nominated as technical expert in regards of storage of potato in cold storage of Golaghat district as per the request of DAO, Golaghat
1.6: Deputed by the University for Presentation on potato development in Assam – strategies and way forward and development of a project on seed potato production on request from the Director of Horticulture and food processing, Assam
1.7: On request from OIL, Duliajan I was deputed from the university to assess the alleged damage of paddy crops at various locations OIL’s operational area during October, 2017
1.8: Involved in Ph.D. Thesis evaluation from the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore and CPGS, CAU, Meghalaya

2. Product, process, policy development:
I was entrusted to survey different seed farms of the Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Assam and prepared the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for modernization of seed farms of the state.
2.1: Besides, I was also engaged in preparation of DPR for modernization of Agricultural Farming Corporation and Field Trial Stations (FTS) of Department of Agriculture and was submitted to the Director of Agriculture, Govt. of Assam
2.2: Compiled and prepared a report from the field experiments conducted at AAU on use of Sea Weed Saps for production of agricultural crops (rice, pulses, sugarcane and oats) in Assam and submitted to CSMCRI, Bhavnagar, Gujarat in 2015
2.3: One compost production unit consisting of unit for vermicompost production, azolla and enriched compost production was established in the model organic farm at Chabua under the project funded by OIL, Duliajan and farmers were involved in production of quality compost
3. Module development for resource pulling & technology adoption:
3.1: Under Tribal Sub plan (TSP) project, integrated farming system model was designed for adoption by small farm holders and six such IFS models were demonstrated at Shyam gaon, Titabar under PMAGY. Efficient resource pulling module was also tested at small farm holder’s level and system gave livelihood security to the tribal farmers of the village.
4. Significant contribution through students’ performance/technology output:
4.1: During the assessment period, two M.Sc (Agri) students have submitted their Thesis and acquired their degrees and one Ph.D. student will submit his thesis within 31st January 2019. Mr. D. Baruah, a M.sc. (Agri) student submitted his thesis on agronomic biofortification in aerobic rice which has given tremendous response from the scientific community for searching the publication.
5. Administrative capability:
5.1: My assignment as Programme Coordinator at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Nagaon, from September 2011 to June 2012, I have got the opportunity for administrative decision making process in the KVK. This has helped me to develop my capabilities in this direction.
5.2: Moreover, I have got another opportunity to work as in-charge Associate Director of Research w.e.f August 2018 vide order No 2.1(14)/-2014/RG/2018-19/9896-906 Dated 30/8/2018 and discharging my duties of ADR in addition to the normal responsibilities in the Directorate of Research (Agri), AAU

6. Institution building:
I have given the responsibilities to work in different fields e.g. various local committees for execution of works viz, Primary purchase committee, Central price fixation committee, member of local organizing committee for seminars, workshops and group meetings of AICRP/AINP projects, etc.
6.1 : University level steering committee for overseeing completion of the accreditation process of the university by the accreditation board of the ICAR (Task Force No. V)
6.2 : Joint Organizing Secretary of Annual Group Meeting of AICRP on Soybean held on Feb, 2013
6.3 : Joint Organizing Secretary of Annual workshop of AICRP on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAP)
6.4 : Worked as member of the Editorial Board for publication of “Ghare Pathare” the farm newsletter of AAU published from the DEE, AAU
6.5 Acting as member of Institution Ethics Committee for conducting Human Studies

Learned Societies

Professional Memberships 2 Societies

Indian Society of Agronomy

Life Member

Indian Potato Association

Life Member

Dr. Mrinal Saikia

Associate Director of Research

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College: College of Agriculture

Department: Agronomy

AAU Joining Date: 25 Mar, 1987