Zuari Farmhub And ICRISAT Unites To Promote Sustainable Agricultural Practises

Zuari FarmHub (ZFHL) has announced a new research collaboration with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) to promote sustainable agricultural practices in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh.

The two-year project will prioritize carbon sequestration to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, thereby mitigating climate change's impact on the farming community. The project will use spatial data, modeling tools, big data analytics, and artificial intelligence to develop science-led technologies at ICRISAT's FAO-accredited soil laboratory.

Dr. Jacqueline Hughes, Director General of ICRISAT, and Madan Mohan Pandey, Managing Director of ZFHL, signed a memorandum of agreement on Thursday in Hyderabad, India, to formalize the agreement. Both parties expressed excitement at the prospect of collaborating to create innovative solutions that address the specific needs of farmers in India.

"It is a privilege to partner with ICRISAT, one of the best international agricultural research institutes, for customized modern solutions that meet farmers' needs. "Dwindling organic content in soils, indiscriminate fertilizer use, and a lack of information are critical issues in Indian agriculture that require immediate attention," Pandey said.

According to Dr. Hughes, the partnership will use the expertise of some of the world's best soil researchers and cutting-edge scientific techniques to promote sustainable agricultural practices and increase farmer incomes, but proof of concept is required.

"Believing is seeing. Before adopting new technologies, farmers must see the positive impact of improved soil on crop yields and income," said Dr. Hughes.

ICRISAT will provide proof of concept for its science-led technologies in the first year of the project to validate their effectiveness in improving soil for higher crop yields and income.

"Artificial intelligence will be used extensively for pest and disease detection, and soil nutrient recommendations will take farmers' budgets and yield estimates into account," said Dr. ML Jat, Resilient Farm and Food Systems Research Program Director at ICRISAT.

Dr. Arvind Kumar, Deputy Director General - Research at ICRISAT, praised the new collaboration, calling it critical in scientific research for the integration of diverse perspectives, expertise, and data, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of the complex and interconnected nature of soil systems.

Zuari Farmhub is a public limited company that manufactures, markets, and distributes fertilizers and other agricultural inputs. The company has a strong pan-India sales and distribution network and its agricultural development laboratories. It has emerged as an agritech company and operates modern agri-retail outlets across rural India as part of the Adventz Group. The company intends to provide farmers with access to technologies tailored to their agronomic needs.

- ICRISAT Media Release 

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