Rajasthan Agricultural University has made 50 recommendations for development of wasteland areas, better crop management and improvement of agricultural production. The suggestions followed a broad-based research for farmers at the university's Bichchwal Research Centre continuing since 1996. University Regional Research Director Abhay Singh Rathore said here on Monday that experiments on sprinklers and drip irrigation taken up at the centre had proved very successful with the farm's income registering an increase of Rs.18 lakh during the last six years. The agricultural production at the research centre shot up from 15.32 quintals to 760 quintals during the period, Dr. Rathore said, adding that the research work was devoted mainly to dry land and partially irrigated land measuring 77 lakh hectares in three tehsils of Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Churu districts. About a dozen farmers visit the research centre every year and adopt the scientific methods recommended by researchers in their fields. Besides, the centre imparts regular training to 1,500 farmers every year. Dr. Rathore pointed out that seven projects of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research were in progress at the centre. They are devoted to fodder production, bajra and moth production, control of weeds, research on dates, crop patterns and productivity of soil. The Centrally-sponsored projects relate to the issue of weather bulletins and agricultural management, while the State Government funds the projects on bio-technology and fodder management. Dr. Rathore said the centre was also promoting rain water harvesting and had established an exhibition centre to depict the results of research and development activities. As part of its efforts to promote horticulture, the centre has also established a nursery to grow about 2.5 lakh plants.