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Time of India
22-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
ISARC, CIP join hands to boost sustainable rice-potato systems
Varanasi: In a step toward transforming rice–potato cropping systems into more sustainable and climate-resilient models, the International Rice Research Institute – South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) and the International Potato Center (CIP) jointly convened a multi-stakeholder consultation in Varanasi recently. The consultation focused on advancing a prototype innovation designed to enable Potato Zero Tillage with Rice Straw Mulch (PZTM)—a conservation agriculture technique that uses rice straw as natural mulch for potato cultivation, eliminating the need for intensive tillage. At the heart of the discussion was a novel combine harvester prototype that integrates rice harvesting and zero-till potato planting in a single mechanised pass, addressing key bottlenecks in residue management and timely planting. The meeting brought together stakeholders from government bodies, CGIAR centres, private agri-tech firms, food processing companies, universities, and farmer groups. Uttar Pradesh, being India's largest potato-producing state and a major rice producer, was highlighted as a key geography for piloting the innovation. BL Meena, additional chief secretary, Horticulture, govt of Uttar Pradesh, expressed strong support for scaling up PZTM through convergence with existing horticulture and farm mechanisation schemes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Libas Purple Days Sale Libas Undo "This consultation is unique, with farmers directly participating in machinery review and development," said Sudhanshu Singh, Director, ISARC. "The prototype has the potential to revolutionise Eastern India's rice–potato systems by reducing turnaround time, conserving water, and improving soil health." Neeraj Sharma, Country Head of CIP, underscored the role of women farmers, regional disparities in mechanisation, and the urgent need to tackle crop residue burning. He stressed public–private partnerships and system-based innovations to scale sustainable potato production. Participants included representatives from PepsiCo, McCain, Yanmar, Khalsa, researchers from Punjab University, and farmers from rice–potato growing states. Discussions centred on prototype design, field feasibility, and pathways to validation and scaling.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Need to adopt cash crops over traditional farming for higher income: UP min
1 2 3 Varanasi: Around 800 progressive farmers from all 10 districts of Varanasi, Azamgarh, and Vindhyachal divisions along with entrepreneurs, FPOs, and exporters participated in the horticultural advancement seminar organised at Chowkaghat here on Wednesday to mark the golden jubilee of horticulture department. Inaugurating the seminar, minister of state (Independent Charge) Dinesh Pratap Singh urged farmers to take advantage of the horticulture department's farmer-beneficiary schemes and instructed organising village-level meetings to distribute pamphlets related to horticultural minister discussed the popularity of Indian mango varieties in Russia and emphasised the potential for horticultural crop production, noting that although horticultural crops cover only 10% of the state's total agricultural area, they contribute 33% to the GDP. He highlighted the need to adopt cash crops over traditional farming for higher income from less land and drew attention to various departmental subsidies. "Efforts are being made to ensure global market access for our products, and the opening of Jewar Airport will facilitate easier foreign access to our produce," he said. He also invited people to set up frozen units and said that with collective efforts, Uttar Pradesh can be transformed into an Uttam (excellent) state. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tukarkan Bitcoin dan Ethereum - Tanpa Dompet Diperlukan! IC Markets MULAI SEKARANG Undo The establishment of a potato research centre in Agra will significantly benefit many people. Information was shared about the department providing free four-line fencing up to 1000 metres for horticultural farming. BL Meena, additional chief secretary, horticulture and food processing, announced the establishment of centres of excellence for dates and oranges in Mirzapur district and encouraged farmers to promote sweet potato production and its foreign trade. Various institutions, firms, and govt departments set up stalls on the occasion. Scientists from BHU, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Varanasi, Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR) and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) discussed advancement of horticultural crops according to agro-climatic zones. DR Bhardwaj, Principal Scientist of the IIVR, gave a presentation on vegetable varieties for export and horticultural crop varieties for foreign trade. Prof Shriram Singh from BHU provided technical information on dragon fruit to the farmers. Amit Yadav, deputy director of agricultural marketing and agricultural foreign trade, spoke on export policy. Divisional Commissioner S Rajalingam highlighted the economic importance of horticultural crops.
