Collaborating For Change: The Impact Of The ICAR-ATARI And Dhanuka Agritech Workshop On Agricultural Development In Pune

Joint KVKs Workshop by ICAR-ATARI (Zone VIII) and Dhanuka Agritech under PPP

PUNE: The KVKs workshop held today, at the College of Agriculture, Pune, marked a significant step forward in enhancing the transfer of new technologies to farmers through various government stakeholders and private partners, Dhanuka Agritech Limited, across the country, particularly in Zone VIII of ATARI, which includes Maharashtra, Goa, and Gujarat.

The workshop focused on disseminating and deploying advanced technologies in the remotest villages, aiming to revolutionize farming practices and ensure sustainable growth in the agricultural sector. This landmark event exemplified the strength and potential of public-private partnerships in driving farm innovation and development. By bringing together key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, the workshop facilitated the exchange of knowledge and best practices, paving the way for increased collaboration and synergy.

The workshop also emphasized Krishi Vigyan Kendra’s (KVKs) crucial role in bridging the gap between research institutions and farmers, ensuring that cutting-edge technologies and sustainable farming practices reach even the most remote villages.

Key Participants: The workshop was graced by distinguished dignitaries, including Dr. P.G. Patil, Vice Chancellor of MPKV, who served as the Chief Guest. The event was further honored by the presence of Dr. Sanjay Bhave, Vice Chancellor of BSKKV; Dr. Indra Mani, Vice Chancellor of VNMKV; Dr. Sharad Gadakh, Vice Chancellor of PDKV; and Dr. K.B. Kathiria, Vice Chancellor of AAU. Special guests at the event included Dr. Kaushik Banerjee, Director of NRCG; Dr. Y.G. Prasad, Director of CICR; Dr. R.A. Marathe, Director of the National Research Centre on Pomegranate; Dr. Manish Das from ICAR-DMAPR; Dr. Dilip Ghosh, Director of the Central Citrus Research Institute; Dr. Burman, ADG of ICAR; and Dr. S.K. Roy, Director of ATARI Zone 8. Their valuable insights and expertise provided a comprehensive understanding of the current challenges and opportunities in the agricultural sector, highlighting the importance of advanced technological interventions and innovative farming techniques.

Objective: The primary objective of this workshop is to disseminate the best available agricultural technologies to farmers, KVKs, and all relevant stakeholders. The aim is to significantly boost the production, productivity, and agricultural income of farmers. This initiative is crucial, given the vast agricultural landscape of India, which comprises 6.5 lakh villages and 14 crore farmers. Reaching out to this extensive farmer base is a monumental task for any single entity, highlighting the need for robust public-private partnerships.

Public-Private Partnership: The government’s promotion of public-private partnerships is pivotal in addressing the challenges faced by the agricultural sector. Such collaborations enable the pooling of resources, expertise, and innovative solutions from government institutions and private players, enhancing the reach and effectiveness of agricultural extension services.

Dr. R. G. Agarwal, Chairman, Dhanuka Group: During the press conference, Dr. R. G. Agarwal underscored the urgent need to integrate cutting-edge technologies such as IT, IoT, Precision Agriculture, and drones into Indian agriculture. Emphasizing the potential to benefit 14 crore farmers across 6.5 lakh villages, Dr. Agarwal highlighted the pivotal role of public-private partnerships (PPP) in effectively disseminating these innovations.

Dr. Agarwal emphasized the transition from flood irrigation to drip and sprinkler systems to optimize water usage and boost yields significantly. He stressed the importance of competitive markets, along with improved warehousing and cold storage facilities, to empower farmers to secure better prices for their produce.

Addressing the issue of counterfeit pesticides, Dr. Agarwal called for stringent measures to ensure the availability of high-quality agricultural inputs. He commended the Maharashtra government’s efforts in combating spurious dealers and emphasized the need for national-level legislation to safeguard farmers from counterfeit and smuggled inputs.

Highlighting research trials at PDKV Akola, where Dhanuka’s technologies resulted in notable yield increases of 81% in groundnut and 17% in soybean, Dr. Agarwal emphasized the company’s commitment. Dhanuka Group’s field force of 1500 personnel is actively engaged in transferring new technologies to farmers, collaborating closely with KVK scientists, and appointing educated youth as “Krishi Mitras” in selected villages, empowering them with specialized training to disseminate agricultural advancements effectively.

Dr. Agarwal concluded by urging farmers to procure all agricultural inputs through legitimate channels and against original bills only, pledging the company’s dedication to supporting genuine agricultural practices and fostering sustainable growth in Indian agriculture.

Dr. P.G. Patil, Vice Chancellor of MPKV, Rahuri: Dr. Patil, who served as the Chief Guest at the event, commended Dhanuka’s initiative to introduce new technologies to farmers in collaboration with ICAR. He emphasized that contributions from the private sector are essential for advancing the agricultural sector and achieving substantial progress.

Dr. S.K. Roy, Director of ICAR-ATARI Zone-8: Dr. Roy highlighted the critical role of KVKs in technology transfer. He underscored that private sector involvement through such workshops and on-ground training for both farmers and KVK scientists is crucial to realizing the vision of becoming a global food hub and ensuring prosperity for farmers.

Other Vice Chancellors present as Guests of Honor also praised Dhanuka’s efforts and emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in advancing the agricultural sector.

Directors from various ICAR institutes, including Directorates of grapes, pomegranates, onions and garlic, cotton, and medicinal plants, highlighted the pivotal role of new technologies in advancing crop-specific practices. They shared the commendable work achieved by their respective institutes, demonstrating significant progress in their fields.

ICAR-Dhanuka Collaboration: To make this partnership functional and meaningful, Dhanuka Agritech signed an unprecedented and historical umbrella Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on March 19, 2024, with ICAR. The MoU would enable leveraging the resources and expertise of the R&D giant ICAR and one of the potential industries like Dhanuka, having its R&D, to join hands in strengthening extension and research activities. This partnership is aimed at making Indian agriculture more vibrant through the joint dissemination of advanced agricultural technologies via demonstrations, training programs, and field days. The workshop marks the beginning of this collaborative effort, where experts from ICAR and Dhanuka will share their knowledge and technologies for the betterment of farmers.

Technological Advancements: Dhanuka Agritech’s dedication to innovation is exemplified by its partnerships with six Japanese companies, enabling the introduction of cutting-edge technologies to address exotic pests. The company’s research facility, DART, located in Palwal, provides invaluable support to farmers through a free helpline for queries and assistance.

Dhanuka is also leading the way in modern agriculture with the adoption of drones and precision farming techniques. These advancements are crucial for enhancing agricultural practices and productivity.

For effective pest and disease management across various crops, Dhanuka offers a range of high-quality products:

Grapes: Kirari, Nissodium, and Conika for comprehensive disease control.

Tomato, Brinjal, and Chilli: Lanevo for managing sucking and chewing pests.

Pomegranate: Conika for bacterial leaf spot.

Mycore Super: An excellent root growth enhancer.

These innovative solutions are designed to support farmers in achieving optimal crop health and productivity.

Future Initiatives: Looking ahead, similar workshops and training programs will be conducted across India in collaboration with all ICAR-ATARIs. These initiatives will ensure that farmers nationwide have access to the latest technologies and best practices, ultimately contributing to a more productive and sustainable agricultural sector.

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