On 16th January, 2025 Division of Agronomy, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi organized the field day on Sub-surface drip Fertigation system (SSDF). A group of farmers from Orrisa attended the program and showed intense curiosity to learn about the system. During the program,
Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director, ICAR-IARI emphasized that to save irrigation water and to enhance crop productivity along with increased nutrient use efficiency there is a dire need to bring more area under micro irrigation including the sub-surface drip fertigation. He also urged to the farmers to adopt the micro irrigation in larger area by availing the benefits of Government support in the form of subsidy for micro irrigation. Furthermore, he highlighted that there is a need of wider adoption of this innovative technology, and he desired that students should learn the technology in greater depth.
Dr Sanjay Singh Rathore, Head of Division of Agronomy formally welcomed the dignitaries and briefed them about the importance of SSDF. He stated that the India has only 4% water resources but to support >17% global population necessitates for promotion of micro irrigation in the country.
The automation for precise water and nutrient application in micro irrigation will further help in reducing the cost of water and nutrient application, he stated. Scientists briefed that the SSDF can save irrigation water and enhance nutrient use efficiency up to 50% and 70%, respectively. The cost of cultivation also reduces in due course due to the lesser involvement of the workforce.
Dr Anchal Dass, Principal Scientist spoke about automation and relevance of the technologies for cereal-based system to save irrigation water and to increase nutrient use efficiency. The scientists from different Divisions, the students, Heads of Divisions, and Professors of ICARIARI, New Delhi also participated in the field day and learned all the technical details about micro irrigation, especially for sub-surface drip fertigation. The program ended with thanks to all the participants.
https://www.iari.res.in/files/Latest-News/Orissa_Farmers_and_IARI_Farm_18082025.pdf
