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Digital Technologies, E-commerce, IT, R&D

ICRISAT, in collaboration with ICAR and NAAS, hosts two-day conference on Digital Agriculture to shape strategic roadmap for the sector

ICRISAT recently held a two-day National Conference on “Digital Agriculture: Empowering Indian Farming” in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) at the A.P. Shinde Symposium Hall, New Delhi.

The conference, held from 17 to 18 December 2024, brought together a vibrant community of thought leaders, practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders focused on charting the future course of digital agriculture in India by leveraging advancements in rural digital infrastructure.

Supported by the CGIAR Initiative on Digital Innovation the conference welcomed approximately 120 participants representing over 40 institutes spanning research, academia, and the private and public sectors.

In September 2024, the Government of India launched its Digital Agriculture Mission with an ambitious budget of INR 2,817 crores. This mission aims to build Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and support various initiatives, including the Agri Stack, digital crop surveys, and cyber decision support systems. The conference offered a timely platform for stakeholders to collaborate and develop a strategic roadmap for the mission’s implementation.

“To build a resilient and food-secure future, we must transcend borders and foster a global exchange of technologies, knowledge, and innovations. By collaborating as a global community, we can ensure that no farmer, regardless of location, is left behind in this digital transformation. Together, we can create an inclusive, sustainable, and adaptable agricultural ecosystem that benefits farmers globally,” stated Dr Pathak.

Dr M.L. Jat, Global Research Program Director – Resilient Farm and Food Systems, ICRISAT presented an overview of CGIAR’s digital innovations and initiatives on enhancing decision-making, bridging the digital divide, and promoting gender equity in agri-food systems.

Stressing the need for better collaboration between national and international research bodies, he advocated for alignment with the global SDGs for broader impact. Dr Jat also proposed the establishment of a Virtual Academy for Digital Agriculture, a dedicated platform for training to address the gaps in skill development among farmers and extension agents. The event laid a strong foundation for a future where Indian agriculture advances through the integration of data, AI, and smart technologies, ensuring resilience and prosperity for farming communities.

ICRISAT, in collaboration with ICAR and NAAS,

Agro Universities, Allied Industry, Biofuel industry, Environment, India, Nature, R&D, Sustainability, Sustainable Energy

As fuel prices climb and climate goals intensify, the world needs fresh solutions. The latest contender is sweet sorghum, a resilient, high-sugar-content crop poised to power up the biofuel industry without draining food supplies. With its unique ability to grow on degraded soils, withstand drought conditions, and produce both bioethanol from stalk and grain and electricity from the crashed bagasse, sweet sorghum is capturing global attention as a cleaner, greener energy source

Traditional biofuels rely on food crops such as maize, sugarcane, and oilseeds, contributing to food price hikes and threatening food security. Sweet sorghum, with multiple uses for food, feed, fuel, and fodder, however, offers an alternative that grows fast, uses fewer resources, and reduces emissions. With optimal production each hectare has the potential to save more than 3,500 L of crude oil and to reduce CO₂ emissions by 1.4 to 22 kg equivalents, making it a standout in energy and environmental impact.

Biofuel consumption is skyrocketing worldwide, with demand projected to hit 203 million metric tons in 2024. Ethanol and biodiesel consumption is expected to reach nearly 224 million metric tons by 2030. Leading markets like the United States, Brazil, and Europe are joined by fast-growing consumers such as India and China, creating a strong market pull for sustainable biofuel solutions. Sweet sorghum’s adaptability to various climates and marginal lands makes it an ideal candidate to meet this surge, ensuring energy needs are met without compromising food supplies.

Beyond its positive environmental impact on reduction in water use and CO₂ emissions, sweet sorghum provides new income streams for smallholder farmers in developing regions. Farmers can grow it in two seasons, generating revenue from both grain and stalk juice for biofuel production. Recognizing this opportunity, ICRISAT and its partners have developed a Target Product Profile (TPP) incorporating market-preferred traits such as high biomass yield, thick and lodging-tolerant stalks with juicy internodes, juice with high total soluble solids (Brix) content, a high percentage of extractable juice, and an extended harvest season. Future research should prioritize enhancing adaptability, yield, and quality (Brix and digestibility); prolonging the shelf life of sweet sorghum stalks and juice; minimizing the trade-off between higher Brix content and grain yield; investing in second-generation (2G) and sustainable aviation biofuels; and scaling up biofuel value chains.

The sweet sorghum cultivars could potentially cover the new market segment with an estimated area of 25 million ha in Asia, Africa, and South America, helping farmers tap into biofuel markets and improve their livelihoods.

As global climate action heats up, sweet sorghum is set to play a pivotal role in the green energy landscape. Continued research should enhance its yield, shelf life, and versatility, promising an even brighter future for this crop. With its potential to power economies and reduce emissions, sweet sorghum is no longer just a crop—it is a catalyst for a cleaner, more sustainable world.

As fuel prices climb and climate goals

Collaborations, R&D, Sustainability

ICRISAT was granted its first industrial design in India for a Solar-Powered Water Hyacinth Harvester developed by a team of scientists. The harvester is simple, affordable, and can be efficiently managed by semi-skilled or unskilled personnel

The solar-powered equipment, designed and fabricated in-house, is an affordable solution priced at under Rs 200,000, making it ideal for rural farming communities that cannot afford sophisticated machinery costing 10 times as much. It offers substantial benefits, including 50–60 per cent savings in cost, time, and labor, while prioritizing using clean energy.

Water hyacinth infestations in rural ponds disrupt ecosystems, harm fisheries, and block canals. Their rapid growth and long-lasting seeds make eradication difficult. Just 8–10 plants can proliferate into over 600,000 plants within 6–8 months.

Dr Stanford Blade, Director General-Interim of ICRISAT, commended the team behind the mechanical harvester, stating, “Water hyacinth infestation is a global environmental challenge. This cost-effective harvester reflects ICRISAT’s dedication to creating environment-friendly solutions tailored to the needs of rural communities that are also technologically and economically sustainable.”

ICRISAT’s harvester, categorized as agricultural machinery, was developed as part of the project “Sustainable Valorisation of Water Hyacinth Biomass through Aerobic Composting as a Rural Enterprise—A Waste to Wealth Initiative,” supported by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha, India.

“Local stakeholders, especially women self-help groups (SHGs), can play a key role in converting biomass into compost, fish feed, or handmade paper. These women-led enterprises can generate alternative livelihoods and boost inland fisheries, creating significant socio-economic and environmental impacts,” said Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha.

Dr Aviraj Datta, the project’s principal investigator, led the development of the harvester, ably supported by ICRISAT staff Dr Mangi Lal Jat, Dr Ramesh Singh, Mr Hari Om Singh, Mr Santhosh Kumar Raja, Mr Yogesh Kumar, and Mr Jinith Mahajhan. The ICRISAT Intellectual Property (IP) office facilitated the evaluation and filing of the application with the Design Registry, India, ensuring due diligence throughout the process.

ICRISAT was granted its first industrial design

Agro Universities, India, R&D, Sustainable Energy, Water

The solar-powered equipment, designed and fabricated in-house, is an affordable solution priced at under Rs 200,000, making it ideal for rural farming communities.

ICRISAT was granted its first industrial design in India for a Solar-Powered Water Hyacinth Harvester developed by a team of scientists. The harvester is simple, affordable, and can be efficiently managed by semi-skilled or unskilled personnel.

The solar-powered equipment, designed and fabricated in-house, is an affordable solution priced at under Rs 200,000, making it ideal for rural farming communities that cannot afford sophisticated machinery costing 10 times as much. It offers substantial benefits, including 50–60 per cent savings in cost, time, and labour, while prioritising using clean energy.

Water hyacinth infestations in rural ponds disrupt ecosystems, harm fisheries, and block canals. Their rapid growth and long-lasting seeds make eradication difficult. Just 8–10 plants can proliferate into over 600,000 plants within 6–8 months.

Chemical and biological removal of the weed have proved expensive and effective only in the short term. The only way to control the weed sustainably is through periodic harvesting, either manually or mechanically.

Dr Stanford Blade, Director General-Interim of ICRISAT, commended the team behind the mechanical harvester, stating, “Water hyacinth infestation is a global environmental challenge. This cost-effective harvester reflects ICRISAT’s dedication to creating environment-friendly solutions tailored to the needs of rural communities that are also technologically and economically sustainable.”

Turning Waste into Wealth

ICRISAT’s harvester, categorized as agricultural machinery, was developed as part of the project “Sustainable Valorisation of Water Hyacinth Biomass through Aerobic Composting as a Rural Enterprise—A Waste to Wealth Initiative,” supported by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha, India.

“Experiments conducted by ICRISAT demonstrate that 72,000 kg of water hyacinth biomass can be mechanically harvested from a 3-acre (1.2-hectare) pond in just 2–3 days by a team of two or three people. In contrast, manual harvesting requires 10–20 laborers and takes 18–20 days to complete,” said Dr ML Jat, Research Program Director of Resilient Farm and Food Systems, ICRISAT.

“Local stakeholders, especially women self-help groups (SHGs), can play a key role in converting biomass into compost, fish feed, or handmade paper. These women-led enterprises can generate alternative livelihoods and boost inland fisheries, creating significant socio-economic and environmental impacts,” said Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha.

The people behind the innovation

Dr Aviraj Datta, the project’s principal investigator, led the development of the harvester, ably supported by ICRISAT staff Dr Mangi Lal Jat, Dr Ramesh Singh, Hari Om Singh, Santhosh Kumar Raja, Yogesh Kumar, and Jinith Mahajan.

The ICRISAT Intellectual Property (IP) office facilitated the evaluation and filing of the application with the Design Registry, India, ensuring due diligence throughout the process.

The solar-powered equipment, designed and fabricated in-house,

Agro Universities, Agrotech, Climate, Collaborations, Environment, R&D, Soil Health, Sustainability

Twenty-three agricultural scientists from six countries in Asia and Africa participated in a hands-on workshop to enhance their skills in using modern modeling tools. The aim was to build participants’ capacity to analyze the complexities of mixed farming systems and devise sustainable solutions

The workshop, held from 25 to 29 November at ICRISAT Headquarters, was organized by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) under the CGIAR Initiative on Sustainable Intensification of Mixed Farming Systems (SI-MFS). It was conducted in collaboration with the ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research (IIFSR) and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT).

The goal of the workshop was to promote the sustainable intensification of mixed farming systems by integrating systems thinking, incorporating environmental, economic, and social dimensions into bundled solutions, and using tools like Crop-Livestock Enterprise Modeling (CLEM) and Farm Design. These approaches help evaluate solutions, understand trade-offs and synergies, and support resilient, inclusive, and profitable smallholder farming.

Dr Santiago Lopez Ridaura, co-lead of the CGIAR’s SI-MFS, highlighted the complexity of small-scale farms, which often feature a diverse mix of crops, intercrops, livestock, and both on-farm and off-farm enterprises. He emphasized the need for an interdisciplinary approach to understanding system dynamics and trade-offs.

Highlighting the progress in India, Dr Sunil Kumar, Director of ICAR-IIFSR, spoke about the 75 prototype models developed for various zones and the importance of bridging the lab-to-land gap while aligning with policies. “Scaling solutions requires understanding on-the-ground constraints and strong policy backing,” said Dr Sunil Kumar, referencing their upcoming International Conference on 28 February 2025.

Dr Stanford Blade, Director General-Interim and Deputy Director General-Research at ICRISAT, stressed the need for balanced interventions. “A single intervention can sometimes unintentionally disrupt other parts of the system. Utilizing systems tools is essential for analyzing trade-offs and achieving sustainable, balanced solutions,” said Dr Blade.

Dr ML Jat, ICRISAT’s Research Program Director for Resilient Farm and Food Systems, emphasized the importance of scaling farm-level innovations to the landscape level and designing carbon-neutral farming systems.

Dr Shalander Kumar, Deputy Global Research Program Director of Enabling Systems Transformation, highlighted the workshop’s collaborative nature.

The International Training Workshop on Modern Approaches in Systems Analysis for Designing Actionable Systemic Strategies Towards Sustainable Mixed Farming Systems brought together scientists from CGIAR institutions and National Agricultural Research Systems from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Laos, Malawi, and Zimbabwe.

Participants also visited smallholder farms in Latur, Maharashtra, to observe the practical applications of ICRISAT’s work.

Twenty-three agricultural scientists from six countries in

Climate, Institutions, Interaction, R&D, Soil Health, Sustainability

ICRISAT’s soil lab in India and its offices across East and West Africa, dedicated to revitalizing dryland soils, will significantly contribute to regional priorities, including digital soil mapping, sustainable soil management guidelines, and robust soil information systems

ICRISAT is forging stronger ties between Asia and Africa to advance soil health technology and practices. Dr Pushpajeet Choudhari, Soil Scientist at ICRISAT and Chair of the Asian Soil Laboratory Network (SEALNET), represented the organization at the 8th Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN) meeting held at FAO Headquarters in Rome.

Building on its active membership in SEALNET, ICRISAT is set to align efforts with the African Soil Laboratory Network (AFRILAB) and NARS partners. Elh Moudi Moustapha Abdourahaman (GLOSOLAN Chair), and Dr Choudhari discussed plans to bolster ICRISAT’s African soil laboratories, aligning them with the AFRILAB network to further strengthen regional soil health initiatives.

ICRISAT’s Charles Renard Analytical Laboratory (CRAL) has been engaged in soil and water analysis since 1978. Registered in GLOSOLAN since 2019, the lab delivers high quality analytical service for farmers and other stakeholders. CRAL, as a member of ​ SEALNET, has been engaged in developing and harmonizing analytical methods in compliance with FAO GLOSOLAN.

During the meeting, Dr Choudhari, Soil Scientist at ICRISAT and Chair of the Asian Soil Laboratory Network (SEALNET), updated GLOSOLAN delegates on SEALNET’s progress, which now includes 193 labs across 20 countries, with 40 new labs added in 2024 from Indonesia. He highlighted key outcomes from the 8th SEALNET meeting, focusing on knowledge-sharing and harmonizing soil testing methods across the region.

ICRISAT’s soil lab in India and its

Agribusiness, AgroPolicy, Climate, Environment, Institutions, Interaction, R&D, Sustainability

This compendium, developed through Govt of Odisha partnership with ICRISAT, is an essential tool for scaling regenerative agriculture practices tailored to the local context, especially for key crops such as millets, pulses, and oilseeds

A ‘Compendium of Regenerative Agriculture’ developed by ICRISAT in partnership with the Government of Odisha was launched on 10 November 2024 during the International Symposium on Shree Anna and Forgotten Foods held in Bhubaneshwar. This high-level event was graced by prominent dignitaries, including the Chief Minister of Odisha Mohan Charan Majhi, and his entourage of officials.

The publication was officially released by Dr Arabinda K Padhee, Principal Secretary of Agriculture, Odisha, Mr Hemant Sharma, Principal Secretary of MSME and Energy, Odisha, Dr Tara Satyavathi, Director of ICAR-IIMR, and Dr ML Jat, Research Program Director of Resilient Farm and Food Systems. This resource, a product of ICRISAT’s innovation project on carbon credits supported by the Department of Agriculture and Farmer’s Empowerment, Government of Odisha, aligns with the CGIAR Initiative on Agroecology and serves as a roadmap for sustainable agricultural transformation.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Padhee stated that as the global community renews its focus on regenerative agriculture, Odisha is leading science-based agricultural transformation.

“The Government of Odisha’s commitment to regenerative agriculture is a decisive step toward a resilient and sustainable future—one that nurtures farmers’ livelihoods, restores ecosystems, and strengthens communities,” said Dr Stanford Blade, Director General-Interim and Deputy Director General-Research, ICRISAT.

The publication highlights five key principles of regenerative agriculture: minimizing soil disturbance, maximizing crop diversity, maintaining soil cover, keeping living roots year-round, and integrating livestock. Each principle is explored in-depth, emphasizing its role in enhancing soil health, increasing carbon sequestration, and building resilience against climate challenges. By providing a holistic view of these practices, the compendium underscores the importance of moving beyond traditional farming techniques to cultivate healthier ecosystems.

It was a proud moment for ICRISAT when Rajput GPLF from Koraput district was honored as one of the top three Self Help Groups for its millet-based enterprises. In collaboration with Odisha Livelihoods Mission (OLM) and Mission Shakti, ICRISAT helped establish the millet processing unit in Koraput, operated by Rajput GPLF. Since 2023, this unit has provided nutritious meals to over 3,500 children. This recognition highlights the impactful collaboration between ICRISAT, the community, and state and district initiatives in advancing nutrition and food security.

Over 400 participants, including representatives from FAO, WFP, CGIAR, ICAR, and Farmer Producer Organizations, attended the event in Odisha.

This compendium, developed through Govt of Odisha

Agro Universities, India, Interaction

Key stakeholders, including government officials, industry leaders, and ICRISAT scientists, attended the panel discussion.

A delegation from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Telangana engaged in a focused panel discussion and interactive session with ICRISAT to explore collaboration opportunities in agriculture and food processing in Hyderabad. Key stakeholders, including government officials, industry leaders, and ICRISAT scientists, attended.

The interactive session held at the ICRISAT auditorium focused on exploring collaborative opportunities. It featured insights from M Raghunandan Rao, IAS, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Government of Telangana; Dr Krishna Ella, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech; and Dr Stanford Blade, Interim Director General and Deputy Director General-Research at ICRISAT; Prof V Praveen Rao, Advisor, CII Telangana Agri & Food Processing Panel & Vice-Chancellor; Kaveri University and D Sunil Reddy, Co-Convenor, CII Telangana Agri & Food Processing Panel & Managing Director Dodla Dairy Pvt. Ltd

M Raghunandan Rao, IAS, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Government of Telangana, said that mechanisation of agriculture will increase efficiencies, and value addition will increase sustainability. Farmers could come together and opt for mechanization. Farming has to provide social benefits to the population as it has to be an environmental system. In the Indian context, where farm sizes are small, sustainability discussions must prioritise farmers. Our efforts should focus on creating systems that ensure sustainable incomes for smallholder farmers.

Dr Stanford Blade, Interim Director General and Deputy Director General-Research at ICRISAT, remarked, “ICRISAT and CII are natural partners in advancing agricultural and food processing innovation. The combined strengths of ICRISAT’s research expertise and CII’s strong connections with industry, government, and civil society offer great potential for driving sustainable development in India’s agricultural sector.”

Dr Krishna Ella, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech International Ltd., said that in the Indian context, given that our farmers are large and our farms are small, we must build algorithms and concepts that will keep the sustainability of the farmer’s income in mind. He stressed the need for convergence in agriculture, particularly amid reduced funding. He urged government intervention to foster partnerships between state agricultural universities and ICRISAT, advocating for collaboration, streamlining, and consolidation to optimise resources and impact.

Sai Prasad, Chairman of CII Telangana and Executive Director at Bharat Biotech International Ltd., invited ICRISAT to join CII’s Food and Agriculture Panel. He emphasized leveraging ICRISAT’s research capabilities for Telangana.

Prof. V Praveen Rao, Advisor to the CII Telangana Agri & Food Processing Panel, highlighted the transformative potential of nurturing small enterprises. He stated that with 6.5 million farmers in Telangana, even enabling 0.1 million Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) could significantly improve livelihoods.

D Sunil Reddy, Co-Convenor of the CII Telangana Agri & Food Processing Panel and Managing Director of Dodla Dairy Pvt. Ltd said that we have to look at not only production but also aggregation, processing, distribution, consumption, and waste disposal.

Key stakeholders, including government officials, industry leaders,

Agro Universities, Collaborations, Foodgrains, India, R&D, Sustainability

The initiative aims to produce 20,000 kg of millet seed in 2024-25 and plans to expand further as on-ground capacity continues to grow.

With a groundbreaking focus on food and nutrition security, the Bihar Centre of Excellence for Millets Value Chains is harnessing scientific innovation to unlock the full potential of millet production in the state.The initiative aims to position Bihar as a leader in sustainable agriculture, enhancing crop resilience and supporting livelihoods for millions. Trials of various millet types have been conducted at multiple sites, identifying the top-performing varieties ‘lines’ for expanded trials in 2024 / 2025. As on date, 150 farmers have participated in millet seed production across 34 hectares, and improved seed and training have been provided to over 140 farmers.

The initiative aims to produce 20,000 kg of millet seed in 2024-25 and plans to expand further as on-ground capacity continues to grow.

Speaking from ICRISAT HQ, Global Research Program Director for Accelerated Crop Improvement Dr Sean Mayes said that millet cultivation in Bihar remained limited with only around 8,700 hectares under production, yielding approximately 11,200 tons annually. “In recent years, farmers have faced restricted access to diverse and high-performing millet varieties, which this initiative aims to address through targeted research and innovation. We know this will have a direct impact on food and nutrition security for the most vulnerable in the state, particularly for women and children,” said Dr Mayes.

To support smallholders, the Centre has also introduced on-site millet processing demonstrations, new mechanization tools, and field days, reaching over 1194 farmers including 240 women, with plans for two permanent secondary processing sites in Bihar. A model farm at Mayapur features rainwater harvesting and optimized irrigation and stands as an inspirational resource for local farmers to adopt resilient millet practices.

The Centre is taking further practical steps across six work packages that span the entire millet value chain—from germplasm enhancement and robust seed systems to mechanization, farming systems featuring rainfall storage, product innovation, and market linkages.

ICRISAT’s Interim Director General, Dr Stanford Blade, applauded the Government of Bihar, Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University and Bihar Agricultural University, and ICRISAT teams, and project partners for their progress in advancing the state’s vision for millet development. The Centre is set to reshape Bihar’s food systems, with ICRISAT and its partners directly addressing the state’s food and nutritional security needs, supporting farmer resilience, and establishing a sustainable foundation for agricultural growth.

The initiative aims to produce 20,000 kg

Agro Universities, Collaborations, Foodgrains, India, R&D, Seeds

The project aims to enhance sustainable livestock production and improve the socio-economic conditions of marginalised farmers across the Kashmir Valley.

Jammu and Kashmir, in northern India, will release new forage sorghum varieties in 2025, marking the first successful adaptation of this dryland crop to the region’s temperate climate. The release follows advanced on-farm trials of elite sorghum lines conducted by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in collaboration with the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Kashmir.

The project aims to enhance sustainable livestock production and improve the socio-economic conditions of marginalized farmers across the Kashmir Valley by releasing these cold-tolerant sorghum varieties in 2025.

The partnership focused on promoting dual-purpose sorghum varieties that provide both grain and forage. These varieties aim to enhance food, feed, and fodder security, addressing the critical feed supply-demand gap in the region’s animal husbandry sector, which plays a vital role in the local economy. Currently, the region is facing a 40 per cent fodder deficit.

Dr Stanford Blade, Deputy Director General-Research of ICRISAT, highlighted the collaborative nature of the project said “This initiative reflects ICRISAT’s commitment to delivering demand-driven innovations. Partnering with SKUAST has allowed us to co-develop sustainable solutions that benefit smallholder farmers and the broader agricultural sector”

Livestock rearing is crucial in the Kashmir Valley, providing essential protein and employment opportunities. However, the limited availability of nutritious feed poses a significant challenge for the sector, especially at high altitudes.

Fodder sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) has emerged as a promising solution. It offers high biomass production of up to 50 tons per hectare, has adaptability to local conditions and also high nutritional value. Its cultivation can improve livestock productivity and enhance the rural economy, directly benefiting marginalized communities, especially smallholder farmers and landless labor dependent on animal husbandry for their livelihoods.

Prof. Nazir A Ganai, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST Kashmir, praised the initiative: “This marks a significant step toward achieving feed, fodder, and livelihood security, especially for underprivileged tribal communities in high-altitude areas.”

Through the initiative, a comprehensive multi-environment evaluation program was established to identify high-yielding, nutritionally rich sorghum genotypes suited for the unique agro-climatic conditions of the Kashmir Valley. The trials, conducted over two cropping cycles, assessed biomass yield, nutritional quality, and adaptability to low temperatures, leading to the identification of superior cultivars.

“Developing elite sorghum lines tailored to Kashmir’s high-altitude ecologies is a remarkable achievement that will further inform our efforts to extend the cultivation north of 40° latitude,” said Dr Ephrem Habyarimana, Principal Scientist – Sorghum Breeding.

The project aims to enhance sustainable livestock

Agro Universities, India, People, R&D

Dr Pathak will officially assume his role next year, ushering in a new era of strategic leadership and growth for the Institute.

The Governing Board of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) formally announced the appointment of Dr Himanshu Pathak as the Director General designate of the globally acclaimed institute. The announcement was made by Governing Board Chair Professor Prabhu Pingali during an all-staff event at ICRISAT headquarters in Hyderabad.

Dr Pathak has a distinguished career in advancing global agricultural research and development and will bring a wealth of experience to ICRISAT. He currently serves as Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

On behalf of the Governing Board, I am delighted to welcome Dr Pathak as Director General designate said Professor Pingali.

“His strategic vision and proven leadership will be instrumental as ICRISAT confronts the challenges of expanding drylands and drives forward its mission to build resilient, sustainable agri-food systems for the most vulnerable across Asia, Africa, and beyond.

“Under Dr Pathak’s guidance, we are confident that ICRISAT will continue to build powerful new alliances and set new benchmarks in agricultural innovation and global food security and the Governing Board and I look forward to working closely with him.

“We also extend our deepest gratitude to outgoing Director General Dr Jacqueline Hughes for her unwavering leadership during a period of profound transition and unprecedented challenges. Despite the global disruptions brought on by COVID-19, Dr Hughes guided ICRISAT with resilience and vision, driving forward numerous agricultural innovations that have strengthened the Institute’s impact and reach,” said Prof. Pingali.

Dr Pathak’s appointment will herald a new chapter for ICRISAT as it embarks on its 52nd year, reinforcing the Institute’s commitment to pioneering agricultural innovations and cementing its status as a global leader in dryland research.

Dr Pathak will officially assume his role next year, ushering in a new era of strategic leadership and growth for the Institute.

Dr Pathak will officially assume his role

Agro Universities, Digital Technologies, India, R&D

The study emphasises that SMTs outperformed Machine Learning methods in crop type mapping, particularly where ground data is limited.

In a recent effort to harness satellite data for countries with limited ground reference information, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) conducted a study using Senegal as a model to test various algorithms. While numerous remote sensing products exist for land cover mapping, accurately identifying crop types requires machine learning algorithms to process satellite data.

This study compares Machine Learning methods with Spectral Matching Techniques (SMTs) and demonstrates that SMTs are more effective than Machine Learning methods in scenarios where ground data are scarce. Although Machine Learning algorithms are valuable for processing satellite images to identify crop types, they require large volumes of high-quality training data. The study emphasizes that SMTs outperformed Machine Learning methods in crop type mapping, particularly where ground data is limited.

Dr Murali Gumma, the study’s lead author, stated, “Among the four approaches tested, Spectral Matching Techniques achieved the highest accuracy, exceeding 76 per cent. In contrast, machine learning methods—such as CART (Classification and Regression Tree), SVM (Support Vector Machines), and RF (Random Forest)—which are used for molecular machine learning and predicting compound properties, only reached accuracies between 40 per cent and 55 per cent.”

Traditional methods have faced challenges in mapping crop types in small, irregularly shaped fields and regions with inter-cropping practices. This paper highlights that high-resolution satellite imagery when combined with semi-automated algorithms like SMTs is ideally suited for dryland regions in Africa, making it a valuable tool for enhancing agricultural mapping in these challenging environments.

“In terms of the study’s applicability, there is significant potential in West African countries such as Mali and Niger. Improved insights into crop type mapping can be instrumental in calculating agricultural yield and, when combined with weather, climate, and socioeconomic data, can help pinpoint regions where productivity is impacted,” highlighted Dr Stanford Blade, Deputy Director General – Research, ICRISAT.

The study emphasises that SMTs outperformed Machine

Agro Universities, Climate, Collaborations, India, R&D, Soil Health

 The technology is rapid, non-invasive and involves no chemical use, for estimating multiple soil parameters.

In a recent study by IIT Kharagpur in collaboration with the International Crops Research Institute of Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, has developed and validated the efficiency of Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) models for high throughput soil analysis for impact at scale in smallholder systems.

Years of research at the Agricultural and Food Engineering (AgFE) Department of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur shows that Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) may be used safely for rapid soil assessment. Conventional soil testing laboratories use wet chemistry-based soil testing methods that are time consuming and can become expensive when a large number of samples to be analysed. On the other hand, spectral reflectance of a soil sample can be rapidly measured in a non-contact mode and the results can be transformed to multiple soil parameters using calibrated spectral algorithms. Once the Diffused Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) algorithms are developed for a region, the algorithms may be used for analysing soil samples collected from different fields and at different time of sampling. The technology is rapid, non-invasive and involves no chemical use, for estimating multiple soil parameters.

The DRS approach was shown to be effective for estimating 8 out of 17 soil parameters with as high as 80 per cent accuracy. Specifically, the soil test crop response (STCR) ratings estimated through the DRS approach matched the wet chemistry-based STCR ratings to the tune of 43 to 100%. “This is a great opportunity because most nutrient management strategies are based on STCR ratings and these ratings may be safely estimated using the DRS approach in a very rapid manner,” says Professor B. S. Das from IIT Kharagpur. More than 60 per cent of the new samples estimated with more than 70% accuracy indicates a huge opportunity to apply the DRS technique at different spatial and temporal scales. The partnership with ICRISAT has been very productive in developing these innovative methods for rapid soil health assessment, Prof Das further added.

“ICRISAT has been at the forefront of global efforts to advance sensor-based technologies,” says Dr Jacqueline Hughes, Director General of ICRISAT. “Our recent work with NIRS-based spectroscopy for soil nutrient analysis, along with this pioneering research towards DRS models for soil analysis, ensures our commitment to deliver rapid and cost-effective alternatives to resource-poor agriculture systems.”

This is a step forward in making soil testing a feasibility through remote sensing. As the IEEE Standards Association embarks on standardizing soil spectroscopy as a standard method of soil testing (P4005 – Standards and protocols for soil spectroscopy), the efforts at IIT Kharagpur are a step forward in making soil testing through reflectance spectroscopy a reality. Developing methods for rapid soil testing for the benefit of millions of smallholder farmers of our country resonates well with IIT Kharagpur’s long commitment for low-cost soil analysis for improved agricultural practices.

 The technology is rapid, non-invasive and involves

Agro Universities, India, People

Ramaswamy’s distinguished career also includes leadership roles at renowned organizations such as Vedanta, Shell, Cadbury, and Unilever.

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) announced the appointment of Ramkumar Ramaswamy as its new Director of Corporate Services. Ramaswamy brings to the institute a distinguished portfolio, with over 25 years of extensive expertise in leading the finance function in large multinational and Indian companies.

A Chartered Accountant with a degree in Commerce, Ramaswamy has held key positions across various sectors including consumer goods, chemicals, oil and gas, natural resources, and steel. Most recently, he served as the Chief Financial Officer and whole-time Director at Jindal Steel and Power, a leading publicly listed company. His distinguished career also includes leadership roles at renowned organizations such as Vedanta, Shell, Cadbury, and Unilever.

Ramaswamy has a rich and varied leadership experience of working with multicultural teams in high growth business environments, leading business turnarounds, long-term strategy development, mega projects, large scale change management, organizational design and restructuring and digitalization initiatives. His finance functional experience and expertise includes corporate governance, risk management, funding and treasury, investor relations, project and change management, internal controls, ethics and compliance and driving business outcomes and impact.

Dr Jacqueline d’Arros Hughes, Director General of ICRISAT, welcomed the appointment noting that Ramaswamy’s proven track record makes him an invaluable asset to the ICRISAT team.

“I am delighted to join the team at ICRISAT, an organization renowned for its commitment to agricultural innovation and sustainable development,” shared Ramaswamy. “I look forward to collaborating with our talented team to drive forward our mission of improving livelihoods and ensuring food security across the semi-arid tropics.”

Ramaswamy’s distinguished career also includes leadership roles