National Oilseeds Kisan Mela 2026 Highlights Farmer-Centric Innovations

30 January 2026, Hyderabad

Around 350 of farmers from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and other states converged at the ICAR–Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research, Research Farm, Narkhoda, today for the National Oilseeds Kisan Mela-2026, a major outreach event aimed at showcasing proven and emerging technologies to enhance oilseed productivity and farm incomes.

The Chief Guest, Dr. B. Gopi, Director, Agriculture, Government of Telangana, urged greater adoption of improved varieties and scientific crop management to bridge yield gaps in oilseeds.

Addressing the gathering as Special Guest, Dr. I. J. Mathur, former Director, Extension, MPAUT, Rajasthan, stressed the importance of close scientist–farmer interaction for improving adoption of recommended practices.

Dr. Shaik N. Meera, Director, ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Zone-X, Hyderabad underlined the role of coordinated extension and capacity building in accelerating oilseed development across the region.

Dr. R. K. Mathur, Director, ICAR-IIOR, reiterated that farmer feedback gathered during such melas plays a crucial role in refining research priorities and tailoring technologies to field realities.

An interactive discussion session enabled farmers to directly raise crop-specific issues and receive expert advice from ICAR scientists. The programme concluded with extended field visits in the afternoon, allowing participants to closely examine technologies demonstrated at the institute’s research farm.

Various national research institutes engaged in research on crops such as rice, millets, maize, and allied sectors, along with several government and private organizations involved in crop mechanization, participated, and showcased their products through exhibition stalls.

The National Oilseeds Kisan Mela-2026 reaffirmed ICAR-IIOR’s role as a key knowledge hub for oilseed farmers and is expected to contribute significantly to improved awareness, adoption of technologies, and sustainable oilseed production in the region.

(Source: ICAR–Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad)