This project provides support for a U.S. scientist, Dr. Raj. S. Chhikara, Department of Natural Sciences, University of Houston-Clear Lake, (UHCL), Houston, TX, to spend a sabbatical leave at the Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute (IASRI) in New Delhi. The cooperating scientist is Dr. Randhir Singh, Senior Professor at IASRI. Chhikara plans to investigate the applicability of remote sensing technology to study the Indian environment and to research for efficient estimation of agricultural resources, including development of efficient sampling strategies and crop discriminants and a yield forecasting model. In addition he will finalize a research plan and task details for a collaborative research program between his university and IASRI. Scope: The UHCL has been involved for several years in the evaluation of the satellite derived crop acreage estimation methodology as implemented by the U.S. National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA). IASRI has a number of experts in sampling and experimental design. The interaction during this visit will be beneficial to both sides, and should help extend the use of satellite data for the development of agricultural statistics on a global basis.
