Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, in partnership with the S M Sehgal Foundation (SMSF), has launched a new project titled “Application of Advanced Technologies for Improved Productivity and Resource-use Efficiency in Regenerative Agriculture Production Systems.” Formally rolled out on September 15, 2025, the initiative focuses on automation-enabled sub-surface drip fertigation and other precision tools to make farming more sustainable and climate-resilient.
Delivering the address, Padma Bhushan Dr. R. S. Paroda, President of TAAS and former Director General of ICAR, emphasized the urgent need for India to move away from intensive farming practices. He pointed out that fertilizer efficiency, particularly of nitrogen and phosphorus, is declining, posing a threat to long-term agricultural sustainability. Stressing the need for a “next revolution” beyond the Green Revolution, he urged diversification from the rice–wheat system to more resource-efficient alternatives such as soybean–wheat or Arhar–wheat.
Jay Sehgal, Chairperson of SMSF, highlighted the challenges faced by smallholder farmers and called for automation to reduce labour drudgery and improve productivity. With water scarcity emerging as a major global concern, he stressed the importance of innovations in water management, the use of artificial intelligence for risk forecasting, and reducing post-harvest losses to strengthen food security.
Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director and Vice-Chancellor of IARI, described climate change and water scarcity as the most pressing threats to Indian agriculture. He underlined the importance of soil carbon management and microirrigation systems, particularly sub-surface drip fertigation, in improving yields, conserving water and fertilizer, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Other speakers, including Anjal Makhija, Trustee and CEO of SMSF, and Dr. S. S. Rathore, Head of Agronomy at IARI, emphasized empowering women farmers through technology and developing scalable, farmer-friendly solutions. Project leader Dr. Anchal Dass assured that the initiative would leverage precision input management and sensor-based tools to promote regenerative practices.
The project was officially launched at IARI’s Agronomy Division research farm, marking the beginning of a collaboration aimed at developing climate-resilient and resource-efficient agricultural systems for the future.
