First year B.Sc. students from the Govt. Science College (Autonomous), Jabalpur visited the ICAR-Directorate of Weed Research, Jabalpur as part of their community engagement internship programme. There were 71 students (38 boys and 33 girls) accompanied by three teachers (Dr. I.P. Kori, Dr. Aparna Awasthi, and Dr. Tabassum Ansari) in the team. They reported in the Directorate at 10:45 am and were subsequently guided by Dr. Dasari Sreekanth, Scientist and Mr. Jamaludheen A., Scientist, and two Senior Technical officers viz. Mr. S.K. Parey and Mr. J.N. Sen.

The visit began with the demonstration of the conservation agriculture field followed by agricultural engineering and workshop unit. The students were briefed about the importance of conservation agriculture and its role in minimizing residue burning and greenhouse gas emission (GHGs), especially CH4 and N2O emission from crop fields. They were also exposed to the Happy Seeder machine and its application in conservation agriculture, followed by various other weeding tools displayed in the agricultural engineering unit. Subsequently, the team visited Krishak Sabhagaar, experimental fields, composting unit, FACE facility, OTC chambers, containment facility, lysimeter unit, biological control experimental unit for aquatic weeds and weed cafeteria. Since the students belonged to the disciplines of botany, zoology, and chemistry, they were curious to know different activities undertaken in respective units and hence continuously interacted with the scientists who guided the team.

Further, the students visited the technology park of the Directorate wherein they were briefed about the objectives of the parkas well as various technologies demonstrated in the park. The students also visited the ‘Information Centre’ of the Directorate, where they were acquainted with Dr. P. K. Singh, Pr. Scientist about the major areas of research undertaken at Directorate, its history, and weed management practices, including different cultural mechanical, chemical and biological methods. At last, the visit was concluded with a very fruitful interactive session held at the conference hall of the Directorate. Students were keen to interact with the scientists and had discussions on a wide variety of subjects pertaining to weed science research in the current Indian agricultural scenario.