Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting on 21st August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
On 21 August 2026, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Maharashtra-Goa Region organized a press tour for journalists from Maharashtra’s Aspirational Districts to the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI) in New Delhi. The tour aimed to educate media professionals on agricultural innovations, technological advancements, and location-specific research to address farming challenges. Key action items include the dissemination of scientific solutions to rural communities to improve productivity and sustainability.
Key Points / Main Content
Tour Objectives and Participation
The tour included three journalists each from the Gadchiroli, Washim, Dharashiv, and Nandurbar districts of Maharashtra.
The primary goal was to provide insights into how agricultural research and technological interventions are translated into practical solutions for farmers.
The initiative supports the vision of "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" through innovation and technology.
Agricultural Research and History
ICAR-IARI highlighted India’s transition from a food-deficit to a food-surplus nation via scientific interventions and the Green Revolution.
Emphasis was placed on the need for region-specific approaches that consider local climate, water availability, soil conditions, and cropping patterns.
Scientists discussed the regulatory framework and scientific rationale behind Genetically Modified (GM) food crop research and genome editing technologies.
Solutions for Regional Challenges
Soybean Productivity: To combat declining soybean yields caused by erratic water availability in Maharashtra, scientists recommended short-duration varieties and practices such as mulching, life-saving irrigation, and improved land configuration.
Information Dissemination: Journalists were encouraged to use agricultural research institutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, and State agriculture departments to spread awareness of suitable crop varieties.
Sustainable and Integrated Farming Models
Protected Cultivation: Introduction to greenhouse-based hydroponic farming for water-efficient, year-round cultivation.
Integrated Farming System: A model combining crops with dairy, poultry, fisheries, and beekeeping to generate year-round income and employment from a single hectare.
Natural Farming: Practices focused on improving soil health and reducing dependence on external inputs to promote sustainable production.
Impact Analysis
Journalists from Aspirational DistrictsImpact
Journalists gained direct access to scientific experts and first-hand knowledge of advanced agricultural technologies and sustainable farming models.
Action Required
They must take information regarding relevant agricultural innovations back to their respective regions to inform farmers and rural communities.
Farmers in MaharashtraImpact
Farmers stand to benefit from location-specific solutions tailored to their regional challenges, such as water scarcity and declining crop productivity.
Action Required
Farmers are encouraged to adopt recommended practices, such as short-duration soybean varieties and integrated farming models, to improve their livelihoods.
ICAR-IARI and Scientific InstitutionsImpact
The tour strengthens the communication pipeline between scientific research and the end-user (the farmer) by utilizing the media as a bridge.
Action Required
These institutions must continue to collaborate with state departments and media outlets to ensure technologies suited to local needs are widely disseminated.
Key Entities Referenced
ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI): The primary research institution visited by journalists to learn about agricultural innovations, genome editing technologies, and climate-resilient farming solutions.
Aspirational Districts (Gadchiroli, Washim, Dharashiv, and Nandurbar): Specific regions in Maharashtra targeted for the dissemination of location-specific agricultural technologies and improved farming practices.
Press Information Bureau (PIB): The nodal agency of the Government of India that organized the press tour to bridge the communication gap between scientific institutions and rural communities.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat: The national vision of self-reliance cited as the driving force behind the institute's contributions to agricultural research and technology.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
PIB Maharashtra-Goa Region Organises Press
Tour for Journalists from Maharashtra’s
Aspirational Districts to ICAR-IARI
प्रव तथ: 21 AUG 2026 6:29PM by PIB Mumbai
New Delhi/Mumbai, 21 August 2026:
The Press Information Bureau (PIB), Maharashtra-Goa Region, organised a Press
Tour to New Delhi for journalists from Maharashtra’s Aspirational Districts, with
three journalists each from Gadchiroli, Washim, Dharashiv and Nandurbar. As part
of the tour, the journalists visited the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute
(ICAR-IARI), New Delhi, to gain insights into agricultural research, technological
advancements and innovations aimed at addressing emerging challenges in Indian
agriculture.
The visit provided the journalists an opportunity to interact with scientists and
understand how agricultural research and technological interventions are being
translated into solutions for farmers.
Dr. R.N. Padaria, Joint Director (Extension), ICAR-IARI, welcomed the delegates and
provided an overview of India’s agricultural journey since Independence as well as
the genesis and growth of Indian Agricultural Research Institute. Recalling the food
shortages faced by the country in the early years, he highlighted the role of
agricultural research, scientific interventions and farmer-centric extension in
transforming India from a food-deficit nation into a food-surplus country.
Dr. Padaria also highlighted the contributions of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research
Institute and Dr. M.S. Swaminathan in ushering in the Green Revolution in India.
Emphasising the need for region-specific approaches, he highlighted that ICAR
institutes work with farmers, State departments and other stakeholders to develop
and disseminate technologies suited to local needs. He said that differences in
climate, water availability, soil conditions and cropping patterns make location-
specific solutions essential. In this context, he highlighted the important role of
journalists from Maharashtra’s Aspirational Districts in taking information on
relevant agricultural technologies and innovations to farmers and rural communities
in their respective regions.
Ms. Jaydevi Pujari Swami, Deputy Director (Media & Communication), Press
Information Bureau (PIB), Mumbai, appreciated the efforts of ICAR-IARI and
highlighted the Institute’s contribution to advancing the vision of Aatmanirbhar
Bharat through agricultural research, innovation and technology.The delegation was also shown a video film on ICAR-IARI, highlighting the
Institute’s journey, major research achievements and contribution to the
development of Indian agriculture.
A key discussion during the interaction centred on declining soybean productivity in
parts of Maharashtra, particularly due to inadequate and erratic water availability
during critical stages of crop growth. Scientists advised farmers in moisture-
stressed areas to consider short duration soybean varieties, along with
complementary practices such as life-saving irrigation, mulching and improved land
configuration. The journalists were also encouraged to disseminate information on
suitable varieties and technologies available through agricultural research
institutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and State agriculture departments.
The delegation also raised queries regarding genetically modified (GM) food crop
research in India. Scientists explained the regulatory framework governing such
research and the scientific rationale for undertaking studies aimed at improving crop
resilience and productivity with deployment of genome editing technologies.
Following the interaction, the delegation visited the Centre for Protected Cultivation,
Integrated Farming System and Natural Farming facilities at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi.
The delegates were apprised of greenhouse-based hydroponic farming for water-
efficient, year-round cultivation; an integrated farming model combining crops with
dairy, poultry, fisheries, fruit production, agroforestry, beekeeping and biogas to
generate year-round income and employment from a one-hectare farm unit; and
natural farming practices focused on improving soil health, reducing dependence on
external inputs and promoting sustainable agricultural production.
The press tour highlighted the importance of strengthening communication between
scientific institutions, the media and farming communities, particularly in
Aspirational Districts, to facilitate wider dissemination of location-specific
agricultural technologies and innovations for improved productivity, sustainability
and farmers’ livelihoods.(Source: ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi)
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Sriyanka Chattarjee/Parshuram Kor
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