Dr. David Acker of Iowa State University visited UAS, Bangalore on January 4, 2007. Various aspects of the projects were discussed and the progress with respect to the International Conference was appraised.

Dr. Ramesh Kanwar of Iowa State University visited UAS, Bangalore from 26th and 27th of December 2006. The status and progress with respect to the International Conference were discussed and decisions with regard to future actions were made.

The team from UAS, Bangalore Dr. N. Nagaraj, Principal Investigator, A.V. Manjunatha, Research Associate and Mahesh, SRF and team from IOWA State University, USA Dr. Wendy Wintersteen, Dean, COA, IOWA State University; Dr. Rameshwar S. Kanwar and Dr. Arne Hallam attended the Indo-US University Conference Agenda at the Hotel Taj Connemera, Chennai, on January 12-13, 2006. The team also visited study villages.

The Team including Dr. Wendy Wintersteen, Dean, COA, IOWA State University; Dr. Rameshwar S. Kanwar and Dr. Arne Hallam attended the conference on "Biotechnological approaches in alliviating poverty and malnutrition" held at the Department of Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore during January 9-11, 2006. Dr. Arne Hallam presented a key note paper on "Economics of Nutritional and Health Security".

Ms.Carrie Drummond, Project Coordinator, IOWA State University and Ms.Denise Bjelland, Project Manager, Global Agriculture Programme, IOWA State University visited the UAS, Bangalore during August 17- 20, 2005 and collected data on Self Help Groups and their role in the present era along with Research staff from University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore.

Dr. N.R. Gangadharappa, and Dr. Vijayalaxmi, Co-PIs visited both IOWA State University and PURDUE University from August 14 - September 4, 2005. They interacted with scientists working in the field of social sciences and food & nutrition.

Dr. Nagaraj and Dr. T.N. Tulasidas visited both IOWA State University and PURDUE University from July 30 to August 12, 2005

Dr.Arne Hallam, Professor and Chair, Department of Economics and Dr.Ramesh Kanwar, Professor, Chair, Department of Biosystems and Engineering Dr.P.G.Chengappa, Consultant, IFPRI, New Delhi reviewed the progress in made in Hegdehalli and Venkatahalli followed by release of folders on drip irrigation and Biogas by the ISU team on August 11, 2005.

IOWA State University, UAS, Bangalore team and ALO representative visited Hegdehalli, Venkatahalli and Shettyhalli villages followed by an interactive session with farmers and local leaders on 5th January 2005. ALO-USAID project was inaugurated on the same day.

ISU team members visited:

Dr.David Acker, Assistant Dean, International programs
Dr.Hallam, Head, Department of Agricultural Economics
Dr.Ramesh Kanwar, Head, Department of Bio-Engineering
Dr.Carriee Drummond, Project Coordinator
Dr.Charlie Koo, Association Liaison Office-USAID
Dr. R.S.Deshpande, Head, ADRT unit, Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bangalore