Signs MoU with ICAR-CSSRI to improve crop productivity
NEW DELHI, 7 November, 2024: Continuing its focus on constructive collaborations for benefits of farmers, leading agri tech company Syngenta India recently, announced two critical MoUs it has signed with government institutions to help farmers enhancing crop productivity and promoting diversified sustainable agriculture practices, Syngenta India on Tuesday signed multiple Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs), aiming to benefit the farmers of Haryana.
Susheel Kumar, MD & Country Head, Syngenta India, signed two MoUs with ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI) and Choudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) respectively.
The MoU with CSSRI is focused on promoting sustainable agricultural practices and improving soil health and resilience in salt-affected areas, while the MoU with Choudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) aims to promote diversified sustainable farming systems for improving productivity and working towards promoting diversified sustainable agriculture practices and realizing the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Susheel Kumar, Country Head and MD, Syngenta India, said, “Both the MoUs mark a significant step towards strengthening our collaborations with experts in the agriculture domain. Innovations are at the core of our functioning to effectively meet the challenges of a changing world, from climate change, soil erosion and biodiversity loss to the demands of farmers and the wider society. Since our contribution is a combined effort, we believe in taking all stakeholders along to make agriculture in India a model of sustainability and prosperity of farmers.”
“It is a rare honour and a great opportunity to work with my alma mater in making our farmers and agriculture sector more resilient.” Kumar, who has done his Bachelor’s in Agriculture Operations and Related Sciences from CCSHAU, Hisar, asserted Syngenta’s continued commitment to make farming more profitable and sustainable in India.
After the exchange of MoU, Prof BR Kamboj, Vice Chancellor of CCSHAU, Hisar, said, “As a premier university dedicated to agriculture research and education, we are pleased to join hands with Syngenta India, one of the world’s leading agriculture companies, to promote diversified sustainable farming systems for improving productivity and working towards realizing the goal of Viksit Bharat by promoting diversified sustainable farming system.”
Kumar added, “The need of the hour is to adopt a multifaceted approach by engaging all stakeholders to meet the challenge of increasing farm productivity. “We believe in a partnership approach and we have been collaborating proactively with public institutions, growers as well as non-government organizations in India”. As per the MoU, CCSHAU and Syngenta India would work together to achieve the common aim to develop skills of stakeholders, promote the use of ICT-driven tools and technologies to enhance decision making through accurate, reliable and timely information for agricultural research and sharing the output with the farmers, he explained further.
They will also collaborate to implement projects related to capacity building of rural youth in agriculture and allied sciences, safe use of crop protection chemicals and adoption of new technologies, etc., through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Agriculture Diploma Technical Schools, Farmers Groups and other institutes of the university under Syngenta’s I RISE (Inculcating Rural India Skill Enhancement) initiative.
Dr RK Yadav, Director, ICAR-CSSRI, Karnal, while interacting with media persons on the occasion, said, “We in collaboration with Syngenta India will conduct joint research and development projects on soil salinity management and improving crop productivity, through sustainable agricultural practices.”
Kumar further explained that as per the terms and references of the MoU with ICAR-CSSRI, capacity building and training programs would also be conducted for farmers, researchers, and extension workers in the areas of soil salinity management, crop protection, and sustainable agriculture. Development of joint publications, presentations, and dissemination of research outcomes to the broader scientific community and stakeholders will also be done by us”.
Additionally, CSSRI will offer internship opportunities to interns sponsored by Syngenta, allowing them to work with eminent scientists and enhance their expertise in soil health and salinity management.