On May 18, 2025, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan will chair a stakeholder consultation on Viksit Krishi in Nagpur, Maharashtra. He will also review Maharashtra's agricultural and rural development programs. Key initiatives to be launched include the National Soil Spectral Library (NSSL), a digital agriculture initiative enabling rapid soil analysis, and an AI-based Smart Trap for Pink Bollworm, targeting cotton crop pests. Progressive farmers will be recognized for their contributions. The NSSL, developed collaboratively by ICAR institutes, will offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional soil testing methods. The event will be attended by senior officials from ICAR, SAUs, and other dignitaries, including the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Agriculture Farmers Welfare: The Indian governmental ministry responsible for agriculture and farmers' welfare.
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan: The current Union Agriculture Minister of India.
Viksit Krishi: A program or initiative related to agricultural development in India.
Nagpur, Maharashtra: A city in the state of Maharashtra, India, where the stakeholder consultation is taking place.
Maharashtra: A state in India.
Agricultural and Rural Development Programmes: Schemes implemented in Maharashtra, India
National Soil Spectral Library: A digital agriculture initiative for soil analysis.
AIbased Smart Trap for Pink Bollworm: A technology developed for precision pest control targeting Pink Bollworm.
PIB Delhi: Press Information Bureau, Delhi (likely the source of the notification).
Shri Devendra Fadnavis: The Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
Indian Council of Agriculture Research: An organization involved in agricultural research in India.
ICARNational Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, Nagpur: A branch of the Indian Council of Agriculture Research located in Nagpur, focused on soil survey and land use planning.
Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal: An agricultural research institute located in Bhopal.
Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi: An agricultural research institute located in New Delhi.
Network Programme on Precision Agriculture: A program focused on precision agriculture.
Pink Bollworm: A major pest affecting cotton crops.
ICARCentral Institute of Cotton Research, Nagpur: A branch of the Indian Council of Agriculture Research located in Nagpur, focused on cotton research.
Secretary DARE: Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE)
Dr. Mangi Lal Jat: Director General, ICAR
State Agricultural Universities: Agricultural universities within the state of Maharashtra.
SAUs: Abbreviation of State Agricultural Universities
PSFKSRAR: An identifier. Possibly related to press release source
Release ID: 2129309: The unique identifier for the press release.
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.*******
PSF/KSR/AR
(Release ID: 2129309)