The ICAR-Directorate of Weed Research, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh organized an online training programme on “Mechanized Weed management in different field crops” during 1-3, November, 2021.

In his inaugural address Dr. S. Bhaskar, Assistant Director General (Agronomy, Agroforestry &Climate Change), ICAR, New Delhi emphasized the importance of weed management in agriculture and aquatic bodies, and need for mechanization in weed management in organic agriculture, horticulture and plantation crops and aquatic system. Dr. J.S. Mishra, Director, ICAR-Directorate of Weed Research, Jabalpur briefed about the current issues with herbicide use, and recent advances made in mechanized weed management, including herbicide spraying techniques. Dr. P.K. Singh, Pr. Scientist explained about the human drudgeries involved in weeding operations and losses caused by the weeds. Dr. R.P. Dubey, Pr. Scientist made a presentation on weed management practices followed under different crops.

A total of 134 participants including scientists, technical officers, and research scholars working from ICAR Institutes, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), Krishi Vigyan Kendras, other Government organizations, and agri-based industries participated in training programme. Lectures on different aspects including integrated weed management, weed management in conservation agriculture, mechanical weed management, mechanized weed management in potato, weed mapping, electros static spraying for herbicide application, drone based herbicide application, sensor based weed management, effective application of herbicides and operational maintenance of sprayers and weeders, ergonomic consideration for weed management etc were delivered by the resource persons from different ICAR institutes, SAUs and machinery manufacturers. The E-certificates were given to all the participants. The programme was coordinated by Er. Chethan, C.R., scientist of the Directorate.