Dr ML Jat, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General (DG) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), visited the ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI) on Wednesday. He spoke to farmers, scientists, and officials on the topic of “Improved Agricultural Practices for Atmanirbhar Bharat” at the Crop Harvest Day program.
Dr Jat shared a vision for natural resource management, sustainable agriculture, and innovation within India’s agricultural research system. He emphasized the transformation of CSSRI from a location with saline land unsuitable for grass to a national leader in reclaiming saline and alkaline soils, marking a significant milestone in Indian agricultural science.
Highlighting the challenges related to soil health, water resources, energy use, and climate change, Dr Jat stressed the importance of integrated, science-driven solutions. He mentioned a research partnership with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), which has shown positive outcomes such as the adoption of no-tillage farming leading to energy savings, improved soil health, and reduced fertilizer requirements.
Dr Jat emphasized the practical benefits of adopting such technologies, including reduced water use, energy consumption, cultivation costs, increased farmer incomes, and conservation of natural resources. He encouraged farmers to utilize the technologies developed by scientists to enhance their incomes and contribute to a self-reliant nation.
During his visit, Dr Jat also inspected the progress of projects at ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) and ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research. He stated that despite intermittent unseasonal rains, the wheat season has remained stable and promising, with an expanded wheat area and optimistic production prospects exceeding last year’s figures.
