A 35-member delegation from 10 African countries visited IARI on 4th April 2025. The delegates were participants of the International Training Programme “Livelihood Promotion through Self Employment at the Grassroots Level” being organized by National Institute of Labor Economics Research and Development (An autonomous institute of NITI AAYOG). The delegation was received by Dr RN Padaria, Joint Director (Extension).
Dr Padaria appraised about the contribution of IARI in bringing green revolution by way of development of varietal technologies. The Institute is using cutting edge technologies to develop climate resilient and biofortified crop varieties. The institute has developed a number of innovative extension approaches to refine and disseminate the technologies to farmers.
Dr Anupama Sarkar, Deputy Director, NILERD recounted that the participants are district level functionaries and are interested in knowing the government programmes and policies enabling rural development and in this perspective visit to renowned institute like IARI was important.
The interaction session revealed a number of interesting observations and queries like how IARI is able to take the technologies to farmers field? What is IARI doing to mitigate climate change? How the country is able to retain educated farmers to farming? How we are addressing the challenges of post harvest management? How IARI is testing the soil so as to minimize cost and maximize production? They also expressed their worry as to why in hybrid maize crop the farmers need to use new seed year after year and not home grown seed.
Dr Padaria and School Coordinators addressed the inquisitive queries of the participants. Dr Padaria informed the delegates that IARI can arrange for customized capacity building programme for the benefit of African nationals. The benefit of IARI developed technologies can reach African farmers by taking the license by the firms working in relevant field. Collaboration between the African countries and India is possible by entering into MoU, which will facilitate exchange of scientific experts, students and policy makers.
The delegates also visited the Integrated farming system model of IARI and Hydroponic and Aquaponic research work at Center for Protected Cultivation Technology, IARI. The delegates were very impressed with the concept and technologies demonstrated to them and were convinced about the strength of the technologies. They were enthusiastic to get the same implemented in their countries by advocating and impressing upon their Ministry and policy makers.
https://www.iari.res.in/files/Latest-News/African_delegation_18082025.pdf
