Agri 2.0: Top scientists brainstorm on way forward for Nano fertilizers

World’s largest Fertiliser Cooperative, IFFCO organized an innovative & interactive convention at IFFCO Sadan where Agriculture Scientists, Researchers, Directors and Vice Chancellors of premium agriculture research institutes and agriculture universities participated.

This meeting on Nano Fertilisers was organized to discuss the gaps, scope of R & D and a way forward in the direction of Agriculture 2.0 so that farmers of the country can get more benefit. The major institutes participated including TNAU, ICAR-CRIDA, INST Mohali; VNMKV, Parbhani, RVSKVV, Gwalior and ICAR-IARI, Pusa, New Delhi.

During the meeting, a technical presentation was discussed which elaborated upon structural, morphological and efficacy benefits of IFFCO Nano Urea Liquid and how the networking project will further update, upgrade and provide quality data of IFFCO Nanofertilizers as per crops and agro climatic zones.

Dr. U.S Awasthi, MD, IFFCO appreciated this new initiative of network meeting for Nano fertilisers. He said that indigenous technology has to evolve to address the current day challenges as resources are limited and climate change is a reality. He elaborated upon IFFCOs drone ecosystem development project that can cover more than 25 lakh acres of foliar spraying at lowest cost for the farmers.

Dr. V. Geethalakshmi, Vice, Chancellor, TNAU was confident that fertilizer consumption is leading to complications in soil health and nanofertilizer has the solution which has been documented by major departments of TNAU, Coimbatore. She added that the networking project would be beneficial in generating quality data of IFFCO Nano Fertilizers in crops being cultivated in different agro climatic regions.

Dr. V. K. Singh, Director, CRIDA provided insights about the utility of nanofertilizers like Nano Urea Liquid in rainfed and dryland crops based on multi- locations trials conducted by CRIDA. Nano Urea can be boon for millet crop productivity as it enhances photosynthetic activity. He emphasized that studies on nutrient mining and nutrient balance at multi – locations will further add value to propagate nanofertilizers.

Dr Indra Mani, Vice Chancellor, VNMKV, Parbhani emphasized on developing site specific SOPs for IFFCO nanoformulations for their wider adoption and marriage of drone technology with nanofertilizers. Dr. A K Shukla, Vice Chancellor, RVSKVV, Gwalior suggested that varietal screening for nanofertilizers suitability can create new dimensions to nanofertilizers adoption.

Dr Rajeev Shukla, GBPUAT, Pantnagar and Dr. Ashwini Kumar, ICAR- CSSRI, Karnal shared that through their validation trials they have found that it is possible to bring upto 50 % reduction in bulk Urea application. Proper understanding has to develop about the correct stage of application and crop foliage growth for deriving maximum response of Nano Urea. Nano DAP has also resulted in enhanced germination of seeds in their trials. IFFCO Kisan drone services were exhibited through digital and physical means.

Dr. S. Pazhanivelan of TNAU informed that Nano Urea spray through drones over 1800 ha in paddy has shown 7 % yield increase with reduction in GHG emissions.

Yogendra Kumar, Marketing Director, IFFCO summarized that Nano Urea Liquid has evolved the scientific landscape which will certainly be a boon not only for Indian agriculture but for world agriculture.

All the participants visited and appreciated the stationed IFFCO EV with drone facility for undertaking spray in farmers’ fields.