Union Agriculture Minister Visits IFS models at ICAR–RCER Patna: Calls for its upscaling

Hon’ble Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, along with Shri Vijay Kumar Sinha, Honourable Agriculture Minister, Bihar, visited the Integrated Farming System (IFS) models (1 and 2 acre) established at ICAR–RCER, Patna. During the visit, Dr. Anup Das, Director, ICAR–RCER, Patna, along with Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, PI (AICRP–IFS) and Head, Division of Crop Production, briefed the Hon’ble Minister on the various components of IFS models developed for small and marginal farmers of the Eastern Region. Dr. Das also informed that, to enhance the income of landless farmers, the institute has developed nano (125 sq. m) and micro (250 sq. m) homestead farming models integrating nutri-gardens, fruits, goatery, poultry, and mushrooms.

The Hon’ble Union Agriculture Minister appreciated the IFS models integrating components such as field crops, horticulture, dairy, composite fish culture, duck and poultry farming for efficient resource utilization and enhanced income. He also praised the use of pond dykes for cultivating fruit crops like mango, banana, lemon, and guava, along with innovations such as vertical cultivation over water bodies, azolla production, and vermicomposting, which collectively enhance sustainability and income generation. He called for scaling up these models at farmers’ fields to reduce farming risks and enhance income and livelihood security. The Hon’ble Minister also planted a mango sapling on the campus. Farmers practicing IFS interacted with the Hon’ble Minister, shared their success stories, and acknowledged ICAR–RCER for enabling a 3–5 fold increase in their farm income through IFS.

Earlier, the Minister held a meeting with the Directors of various ICAR institutes, where he was welcomed by Dr. Rajbir Singh, Honourable DDG (Extension). During the meeting, the Minister was apprised of the achievements, future strategies, and research collaborations. In this context, Dr. Anup Das highlighted the institute’s significant achievements, including Integrated Farming Systems (IFS), rice fallow management, and crop diversification.

The Minister emphasized that agricultural technologies developed through ICAR research must reach farmers more rapidly. He stressed the need for stronger coordination among research institutions, extension agencies, and farmers to accelerate technology dissemination and achieve greater impact at the grassroots level. Dr. Ranjay Kumar Singh, ADG (Extension), and Dr. Bikas Das, Director, NRC Litchi, were also present.