Introduction
The Consortium for e-Resources in Agriculture (CeRA) is an important initiative by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). It aims to provide access to scientific and scholarly journals in the field of agriculture and related sciences. CeRA helps agricultural universities, institutions, and researchers gain access to quality information needed for teaching, learning, and research.
Objectives of CeRA
CeRA was launched with specific goals to improve access to digital resources in agriculture. The main objectives are:
1. Provide Access to Quality e-Resources
CeRA ensures that agricultural universities and research institutions have access to national and international journals, databases, and scientific papers to support research and academics.
2. Promote Agricultural Research and Development
By giving researchers access to the latest findings, CeRA helps improve the quality and output of agricultural research in India.
3. Reduce Information Divide
CeRA aims to bridge the gap between well-funded and less-funded institutions by providing equal access to digital knowledge resources.
4. Encourage Resource Sharing
CeRA promotes a culture of cooperation among institutions by encouraging them to share resources and knowledge through a common platform.
5. Support Digital India Mission
As a digital library initiative, CeRA supports the larger vision of Digital India by digitizing agricultural knowledge and making it widely available.
Activities of CeRA
To meet its objectives, CeRA is involved in several activities. These include:
1. Subscription to Journals
CeRA subscribes to thousands of national and international journals from publishers such as Springer, Elsevier, Taylor & Francis, and more. These journals are accessible to all member institutions.
2. Document Delivery Service (DDS)
When a particular journal article is not available digitally, users can request a copy through DDS. This service is offered through a central library, usually at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI).
3. Creating Awareness
CeRA conducts workshops and training programs to make researchers and students aware of how to use e-resources effectively.
4. Supporting Libraries
CeRA helps strengthen institutional libraries by providing guidelines and support for managing digital resources.
5. Usage Tracking and Reporting
CeRA tracks the usage of e-resources and prepares reports that help in decision-making and improving services.
6. Platform Maintenance
CeRA maintains a digital platform (http://cera.jccc.in/) where all member institutions can access the subscribed content through a single gateway.
Conclusion
CeRA is a valuable initiative that supports agricultural education and research in India. By offering access to global e-resources and encouraging cooperation among agricultural institutions, it plays a major role in the growth and development of agriculture-related knowledge and innovation in the country.