COIMBATORE, 19 July 2025: A team of scientists from the ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute (ICAR-SBI), Coimbatore, has been conferred the first Rashtriya Krishi Vigyan Puraskar under the category of ‘Innovation & Technology in Agriculture & Allied Sciences’ for their development of the Soil Moisture Indicator (SMI)—a low-cost tool designed to assist farmers in optimising irrigation and conserving water.
The award was presented by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan during the 97th Foundation Day of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The award-winning team includes Dr. K. Hari (lead scientist), Dr. D. Puthira Prathap, Dr. P. Murali, Dr. A. Rameshsundar, and Dr. B. Singaravelu.
Developed under the Farmers’ Participatory Action Research Project, funded by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and overseen by the Central Water Commission, the SMI enables real-time soil moisture monitoring based on soil electrical conductivity. Trials have shown that the device can help save up to 15% of irrigation water, while boosting sugarcane yields from 55.8 tonnes to 60.4 tonnes per acre annually, according to Dr. Hari.
“The SMI is a game-changer for water-stressed regions and is already in use across Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, and Maharashtra,” Dr. Puthira Prathap said.
The innovation, first of its kind to be registered by ICAR, is now featured in the National Occupational Standard for Sugarcane Cultivators. Demonstrations under the Mission for Developed Agriculture in Tamil Nadu have also generated strong farmer interest.
Director of ICAR-SBI, Dr. P. Govindaraj, noted that the SMI reflects ICAR’s commitment to sustainable agricultural innovation. “With water becoming an increasingly critical input, such technologies enhance both productivity and resilience,” he said.
A patent has been filed for the device, and 22 firms have been licensed to produce four SMI variants. A digital Android-compatible version is also under deployment, expanding its utility to a wider farming audience.
The SMI is proving equally effective in non-sugarcane crops such as brinjal, tomato, groundnut, chili, banana, and more.
