New Delhi, July 16 (FN Bureau) In a significant move towards mitigating climate change effects, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Syngenta Foundation India (SFI), and Syngenta India Pvt. Ltd. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on ICAR’s Foundation Day. This collaboration aims to enhance training and capacity-building programs for farmers and rural youth, focusing on climate-resilient agriculture practices through ICAR’s extensive network of National Research Institutes, Regional Stations, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and Agricultural Universities. Dr Himanshu Pathak, Director General of ICAR, said, “This partnership is a major milestone in our efforts to equip farmers and rural youth with the necessary skills and knowledge for sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.
By leveraging the strengths of ICAR, Syngenta Foundation, and Syngenta India, we can reach the grassroots level and make a substantial impact.” Under this agreement, ICAR institutes and KVKs will participate in training programs organized by SFI and Syngenta India and vice versa. The KVKs will extend these learnings to a wider farmers’ base through their extensive network. The collaboration will focus on capacity building and extension activities, including the adoption of climate-resilient agriculture practices, safe and proper use of crop protection chemicals, and the use of precision agriculture tools such as drones, IT, IoT, and AI-based techniques. Susheel Kumar, Country Head and MD of Syngenta India Pvt. Ltd., highlighted the importance of this collaboration, saying, “Our quality R&D, climate-resilient practices, and many decades of experience of working with farmers enable us to contribute significantly to this collaboration.
Having worked with farmers and rural youth through a series of innovative programs, we consider this as yet another decisive step forward in enhancing the quality of life for smallholder farmers and rural youth and contribute to our efforts at mitigating the challenges of climate change.” Dr KC Ravi, Chief Sustainability Officer of Syngenta India Pvt. Ltd., highlighted how this MoU aligns with Syngenta’s I Rise (Inculcate Rural India Skill Enhancement) initiative. He said, “This initiative is designed to engage rural youth in agriculture, provide them with appropriate skills, and help them explore dignified and sustainable income-earning opportunities in the agriculture sector.” Rajendra Jog, Executive Director of Syngenta Foundation India, highlighted the collaboration’s potential, stating, “Over the years, we have developed a huge network of agri-entrepreneurs who are trained in modern agriculture practices and extend their knowledge and know-how to millions of farmers across the country. Our partnership with ICAR and KVKs will enable us to leverage our network of agri-entrepreneurs to extend comprehensive training to many more farmers and rural youth.”
The partnership also aims to promote efficient agronomic practices, support KVKs, agri-entrepreneurs, dealers, distributors, and farmers through awareness and education programs, and enhance mechanization solutions in selected clusters. The parties will explore the use of AI and ML techniques to provide expert advisory services to farmers, helping them optimize input usage and reduce costs. The staff of ICAR Research Institutions and KVKs will be encouraged to publish literature related to training programs and evaluate studies, with support from Syngenta Foundation and Syngenta India Pvt. Ltd. for printing and distribution. This partnership marks a significant step towards a more inclusive and resilient agricultural sector in India. The I Rise program aims to increase the participation of rural youth in agriculture by empowering them with knowledge and skills in agriculture. ICAR, SFI, and Syngenta India are committed to driving sustainable agricultural development and improving livelihoods across the country.