26-29 October 2026, Motihari, Bihar
ICAR–Mahatma Gandhi Integrated Farming Research Institute, Motihari, Bihar, organized a four-day residential training programme on “Crop Diversification: Benefits and Resilience for Climate-Smart Agriculture” from 26 to 29 October 2026, sponsored by the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Siwan, Government of Bihar. The programme aimed to strengthen farmers' knowledge and practical skills in climate-resilient agriculture, crop diversification, integrated farming systems (IFS), sustainable resource management and income-generating farm enterprises. The training combined expert lectures, practical demonstrations, exposure visits, farmer–scientist interactions and pre- and post-training assessments.
Addressing the participants, Dr Raghavendra Singh, Director, ICAR–MGIFRI, emphasized the importance of climate-smart agriculture and diversified farming systems in addressing emerging challenges such as climate variability, declining soil health, rising input costs and increasing production risks. He highlighted that integrating crops with livestock, fisheries, horticulture and other complementary enterprises can enhance resource-use efficiency, provide multiple income opportunities and strengthen the resilience of small and marginal farmers. He encouraged participants to adopt location-specific technologies and disseminate the knowledge gained among fellow farmers.
The technical sessions covered key aspects of sustainable agriculture, including soil-health management, balanced fertilization, weather-based agro-advisories, climate-risk management and appropriate crop planning. Discussions also highlighted livestock- and fish-based integrated farming systems, focusing on nutrient recycling, efficient utilization of farm resources, diversified livelihoods and enhanced farm income.
Practical demonstrations on integrated farming models, Azolla production, vermicomposting and organic-resource recycling provided hands-on exposure to sustainable and resource-efficient technologies. Participants also visited Kash Krishi Farm and KVK Piprakothi to observe diversified farming practices, mushroom cultivation, nursery management, millet processing and agricultural value-addition technologies. The visits highlighted opportunities for enterprise diversification and income enhancement. The programme also included visits to Kesaria Stupa and the Virat Ramayan Mandir site.
The concluding sessions focused on climate-resilient agronomic practices, balanced animal nutrition, locally available feed resources and appropriate agricultural mechanization. Emphasis was placed on integrating classroom learning with practical demonstrations and field exposure to promote technology adoption.
Participants were encouraged to apply suitable technologies and adopt an integrated farming approach encompassing crop diversification, soil and water management, livestock, fisheries and value addition to address field-level challenges and enhance farm livelihoods.
To assess training effectiveness, pre- and post-training evaluations were conducted among 25 trainees using a structured questionnaire comprising 15 objective and descriptive questions. The assessment covered climate-smart agriculture, crop diversification, soil health, integrated farming systems, flood-resilient agriculture and environmentally sustainable practices. The reported performance ranged from approximately 57% to 78%, providing useful feedback on participants' understanding of the training topics.
The programme concluded on 29 October 2026 with a valedictory session, participant feedback and distribution of training certificates. The participants appreciated the combination of scientific lectures, hands-on demonstrations and field exposure, which helped strengthen their understanding of diversified and climate-resilient farming practices.
(Source: ICAR–Mahatma Gandhi Integrated Farming Research Institute, Motihari, Bihar)
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