Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan to Chair Stakeholder Consultation on Viksit Krishi in Nagpur, Maharashtra tomorrow
Shri Chouhan will also review Maharashtra’s Agricultural and Rural Development Programmes
Union Minister will inaugurate the National Soil Spectral Library
An AI-based Smart Trap for Pink Bollworm will also be launched by Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Posted On:
17 MAY 2025 3:14PM by PIB Delhi
The Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, will visit Nagpur tomorrow to chair a high-level stakeholder consultation on Viksit Krishi and to review key agricultural and rural development schemes in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis will also grace the occasion.
During the visit, the Union Minister will inaugurate the National Soil Spectral Library (NSSL) – a pioneering initiative in digital agriculture, developed collaboratively by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR)-National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, Nagpur; the Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal; and the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. This initiative is part of the Network Programme on Precision Agriculture.
The Minister will also launch an AI-based Smart Trap for Pink Bollworm, a major pest affecting cotton crops. This technology, developed by the ICAR-Central Institute of Cotton Research, Nagpur, leverages advanced machine learning algorithms for precision pest control.
Progressive farmers from the region will also be felicitated during the event in recognition of their innovative contributions to agriculture.
The establishment of the National Soil Spectral Library marks a significant milestone in India's journey towards digital agriculture. The library will facilitate a contactless, rapid, and cost-effective method of soil analysis, replacing the conventional wet chemistry-based testing. The soil spectral data, representing diverse agro-climatic zones of India, will be formally dedicated to the nation by the Union Minister.
Shri Chouhan will be accompanied by Secretary (DARE) and Director General, ICAR, Dr. Mangi Lal Jat; Deputy Director Generals; Assistant Director General; Directors of Maharashtra-based ICAR institutes; Vice Chancellors of State Agricultural Universities (SAUs); and other senior dignitaries.
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PSF/KSR/AR
(Release ID: 2129309)
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