8 October 2026, New Delhi
Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasized the adoption of water-efficient agricultural practices, micro-irrigation, crop diversification and hydroponics to enhance water productivity and farm incomes. He was interacting with farmers from Vidisha, Raisen and Sehore districts of Madhya Pradesh during the valedictory session of a two-day farmers’ training programme on “Advanced Water Management Techniques with Special Emphasis on Micro-Irrigation for Higher Water Productivity” at ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, today. The programme was organised by the Water Technology Centre (WTC), ICAR-IARI, under the Krishi Road Map of Madhya Pradesh.
Dr Rajbir Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR; Dr Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director, ICAR-IARI; Dr R. R. Burman, Assistant Director General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR; Dr R. N. Padaria, Joint Director (Extension), ICAR-IARI; and Dr P. S. Brahmanand, Project Director, WTC, ICAR-IARI, along with scientists and staff of the Institute, attended the programme.
The training familiarised farmers with advanced water management techniques, including solar-powered automated basin irrigation, integrated drip irrigation with mulching, subsurface drip systems, automated drip fertigation for medicinal plants and dragon fruit, innovative irrigation scheduling, water management in flower crops under natural farming, rainwater conservation and water quality management. Participants also learned about water-efficient varieties and practices for rice, soybean, wheat, chickpea and vegetable crops.
The programme also included field visits to facilities showcasing hydroponics and aquaponics, vertical farming, polyhouse cultivation, integrated farming system models, agrivoltaics, automated irrigation systems, Amrit Sarovar, seed production and advanced farm implements.
The initiative aimed to strengthen farmers’ knowledge of advanced water management technologies and promote their adoption for improving water-use efficiency and agricultural productivity.
(Source: ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi)
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