Dr M. L. Jat, Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR Visits ICAR-IISS, Bhopal to Review Core Research and Soil Health Initiatives

6 November 2026, Bhopal

Dr ML Jat, Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR, visited ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal, along with the team of high officials Dr AK Nayak, Deputy Director General (Natural Resource Management); Dr Rajbir Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension); Dr CR Mehta, Director, ICAR-CIAE, Bhopal to review different programs running in the institute on Green Ammonia project, Nano lab, Liquid Fermented Organic Manures (LFOM), GFR (General Fertiliser Recommendation) and other aspects of alternate fertilisers as well as new mandate of ICAR-IISS, Bhopal.

Dr Jat urged scientists to develop practical, science-driven technological interventions that maximize nutrient-use efficiency and preserve long-term soil health. Noting that 10% to 25% of chemical fertilizers can be safely replaced by enriched organic manures (with N, P, K, S) and indigenous materials without affecting crop yields, he recommended accelerating the development of alternative indigenous fertilizers and green ammonia technologies.

To optimize this shift, he emphasized advancing biofertilizers, particularly liquid formulations and mixed microbial consortia, which have proven capability of saving fertilizers while boosting overall crop yields. Furthermore, Dr Jat stressed refining general fertiliser recommendations and upscaling it to move away from rigid, blanket applications. He stressed that the institute is key to driving Atmanirbharta in nutrients and the rational use of fertilizers, aligning directly with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Earlier in the day, Dr AK Nayak, conducted a detailed review of ongoing research projects, offering strategic recommendations to enhance experimental outcomes and field-level adoption.

The meeting was attended by Heads of Divisions, Project Coordinators, and institute scientists and staff. The delegation also inspected specialized research facilities dedicated to balanced nutrient management, soil resilience, and sustainable agroecosystems.

(Source: ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal)