Three-Day Annual Group Meeting of AICRP on Integrated Farming Systems Commences at RARI, Durgapura–Jaipur

28 November 2025, Jaipur

The three-day Annual Group Meeting of the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) commenced today at the Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute (RARI), Durgapura–Jaipur.

The inaugural session was graced by Shri Bhagirath Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, as the Chief Guest. Dr. Kirori Lal Meena, Cabinet Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture and Rural Development, Government of Rajasthan, attended as the Special Guest.

Guests of Honour included Dr. M.L. Jat, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR), and Dr. A.K. Nayak, Deputy Director General (NRM), ICAR.

The programme was presided over by Dr. Pushpendra Singh Chauhan, Vice Chancellor, Sri Karan Narendra Agricultural University, Jobner.

Shri Bhagirath Choudhary, in his inaugural address, highlighted the critical importance of the Integrated Farming System (IFS) for India’s largely agriculture-dependent population. He emphasised the need to strengthen and modernise the agricultural extension system to ensure effective transfer of technologies from laboratories to farmers’ fields.

Addressing challenges such as climate change, declining soil fertility, resource scarcity and rising dependence on external inputs, he described IFS as a powerful approach to enhance farmers’ income and urged scientists to develop farmer-centric, practical models.

Dr. Kirori Lal Meena expressed confidence that the meeting would yield meaningful and actionable outcomes. Referring to current challenges of food and nutritional security, limited employment opportunities, and indiscriminate use of natural resources and agrochemicals, he positioned integrated farming as an emerging and essential solution.

Sharing his personal experiences in farming, he underscored the traditional significance of mixed cropping and mixed farming systems. He called for reducing the imbalance in fertilizer and pesticide use and urged researchers to develop technology that provides practical solutions at the farm level. He also acknowledged the contribution of scientists, agriculture officers and farmers in making Rajasthan a leader in crops such as mustard, fenugreek, millet and henna.

Dr. M.L. Jat urged agricultural scientists to design farmer-friendly IFS models aligned with the geographical and climatic diversity of the country and to ensure their field-level adoption. He stressed that agricultural innovations are meaningful only when they benefit farmers, and any barriers to adoption must be addressed promptly.

Promoting the concept of “agriculture for health, not just food,” he called for strengthening local food systems and emphasised the need to prepare a Rajasthan Agricultural Development Vision 2047. He also announced a target for each IFS centre to operationalize similar farming system models on 100 farmers’ fields by next year.

Dr. A.K. Nayak, highlighted that integrated farming systems not only improve crop productivity and quality but also reduce vulnerability to weather extremes and climate change, ensuring profitability, sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Dr. Pushpendra Singh Chauhan, presented an overview of emerging IFS models. He stressed the incorporation of AI-based technologies, natural farming, intelligent water management, and conservation-oriented agriculture. He also emphasized value addition, conservation, and the promotion of solar-powered processing technologies, especially for crops like onion.

Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Assistant Director General; Dr. Vimala Dhukwal, Vice Chancellor, Agricultural University, Kota; Dr. Tribhuvan Sharma, Vice Chancellor, Veterinary University, Jobner; Dr. Sunil Kumar, Director, Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram; Dr. Tomar, Director, Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar; Dr. Raghunandan Sharma, Director, Extension Education; Dr. Narendra Kumar Gupta, Director, Planning and Monitoring; and Dr. L.N. Bairava, Dean, Horticulture, were also present on the occasion.

Dr. Ummed Singh, Director Research, SKNAU, Jobner, delivered the welcome address whereas Dr. Harphool Singh, Director, RARI, delivered the vote of thanks. Several technical folders and booklets were released during the event.

(Source: ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram, Meerut)