12 April 2026, Hyderabad
ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture celebrated its 42nd Foundation Day with great enthusiasm at Hyderabad, highlighting its continued contributions to the advancement of dryland agriculture in India.
The occasion was graced by Dr Himanshu Pathak, Director General, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, who attended as the Chief Guest.
Distinguished dignitaries present as Guests of Honour included former Directors of ICAR-CRIDA—Dr Y. S. Rama Krishna, Dr B. Venkateswarlu, and Dr K. P. R. Vittal, Former Director ICAR-NIASM, along with Dr M. Gnana Prakash, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University.
Dr Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, also addressed the gathering virtually.
The programme witnessed active participation from institute staff, former Project Coordinators of AICRPDA and AICRPAM, farmers from various parts of the country, and students from the IARI Mega University Hyderabad Hub.
In his welcome address, Dr V. K. Singh, Director, ICAR-CRIDA, highlighted the institute’s significant achievements in advancing rainfed agriculture. He acknowledged the invaluable contributions of past and present staff and outlined future strategies to strengthen research, extension, and technology dissemination for dryland farming systems.
The invited dignitaries shared valuable insights during the programme. Dr Y. S. Rama Krishna commended the institute’s work in soil and watershed management.
Dr K. P. R. Vittal reflected on the institute’s journey and achievements since its inception, while Dr B. Venkateswarlu appreciated the contributions under the NICRA project and emphasized the integration of digital technologies such as AI and IoT in dryland agriculture research.
Dr M. Gnana Prakash stressed the importance of enhancing the nutritional quality of livestock feed, urging scientists to focus on this critical area.
Dr Ch. Srinivasa Rao shared his association with ICAR-CRIDA, lauding its role in strengthening dryland agriculture and encouraging young scientists to intensify their efforts for the benefit of farmers.
In his address, Dr Himanshu Pathak underscored the need for integrated research, effective extension, and participatory approaches to improve food security and farm profitability in rainfed regions. He called for collective efforts to address emerging challenges and enhance productivity, profitability, and sustainability in dryland farming.
A major highlight of the event was the felicitation of innovative farmers from across the country for their outstanding contributions towards improving productivity and climate resilience through innovative practices. Best Staff Awards were also conferred in recognition of the dedication and exemplary service of institute personnel.
On the occasion, several institutional publications were released, showcasing the latest research outputs and achievements of ICAR-CRIDA, reaffirming its commitment to advancing resilient and sustainable dryland agriculture.
(Source: ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad)
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