ICAR, SFI and Syngenta India ally to boost sustainable agriculture training across India

New Delhi: In an initiative aimed at advancing sustainable agriculture practices in India, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Syngenta Foundation India (SFI), and Syngenta India Pvt. Ltd. have formalized a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the occasion of ICAR’s Foundation Day. This partnership marks a significant step towards enhancing training and capacity-building programs tailored for farmers and rural youth across the country.

Under the terms of the MoU, ICAR’s extensive network of National Research Institutes, Regional Stations, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and Agricultural Universities will collaborate closely with SFI and Syngenta India to deliver comprehensive training initiatives. The focus will be on promoting sustainable agricultural practices that can withstand climate challenges, ensuring the safe and effective use of agricultural inputs and crop protection chemicals, and integrating advanced technologies such as drones, IT, IoT, and AI into farming practices.

The collaboration also aims to promote efficient agronomic practices, support KVKs and agri-entrepreneurs, and drive mechanization solutions in targeted agricultural clusters. Leveraging AI and ML technologies, the partnership plans to offer expert advisory services to farmers, optimizing input usage and enhancing agricultural productivity sustainably.

Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director General of ICAR, underscored, “This partnership is a major milestone in our efforts to equip farmers and rural youth with the necessary skills and knowledge for sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture. By leveraging the strengths of ICAR, Syngenta Foundation, and Syngenta India, we can reach the grassroots level and make a substantial impact.”

Aligned with Syngenta’s corporate sustainability goals, which emphasize enhancing agricultural productivity while safeguarding natural resources and promoting rural prosperity, this collaboration reflects a collective effort towards achieving sustainable development goals. Syngenta India, renowned for its pioneering research and extensive experience in sustainable farming practices, views this partnership as a catalyst for fostering resilience and improving livelihoods in rural communities.

Susheel Kumar, Country Head and Managing Director of Syngenta India Pvt. Ltd., stated, “Our quality R&D, climate-resilient practices and many decades of experience of working with farmers enable us to contribute significantly to this collaboration. Having worked with farmers and rural youth through a series of innovative programs, we consider this as yet another decisive step forward in enhancing the quality of life for smallholder farmers and rural youth and contribute to our efforts at mitigating the challenges of climate change.”

Dr. K C Ravi, Chief Sustainability Officer at Syngenta India Pvt. Ltd., highlighted the alignment of this MoU with Syngenta’s “I Rise” initiative, designed to empower rural youth with agricultural skills and sustainable income opportunities. Launched with a pilot project in 2023, the initiative focuses on training 1000 rural youth using the 3Es approach: educating them in agriculture through training and mentorship, engaging them in the agricultural sector through employment, entrepreneurship, or leadership as farmers, thereby fostering economic empowerment in rural India.

Rajendra Jog, Executive Director of Syngenta Foundation India, emphasized, “Over the years, we have developed a huge network of agri-entrepreneurs (AEs) who are trained in modern agriculture practices and extend their knowledge and knowhow to millions of farmers across the country. Our partnership with ICAR and KVKs will enable us to leverage our network of AEs to extend comprehensive training to many more farmers and rural youth.”