Awareness on climate change and distribution Programme’ under NICRA Project conducted on 13th March 2025 for the farmers of SC community of Gwari, Patan under SCSP head of NICRA project entitled, ‘Evaluation of Impact of Elevated CO2 and Temperature on Crop and Weed Interaction, Dynamics and Herbicide Bioefficacy’ at this directorate are attached for needful action. Approximately 30 framers from Gwari, Archha and Bhakaliya, Gadarpipariya along with associated scientists, technical, technical and supporting staff were participated in the program. Agricultural Protection kits were distributed during the programs.

Dr. Shobha Sondhia, Principal Scientist and Course Director of this program highlighted that ongoing research under the NICRA project is focused on studying the impact of climate change on crop-weed competition and weed management. She emphasized that weed management has become a significant challenge due to the development of tolerance to various widely used herbicides among weeds. To address these issues, she suggested that farmers adopt climate-resilient crop varieties. Additionally, she discussed the harmful effects of using paraquat on moong crops at the stage of crop maturity and advised avoiding such practices in their villages.

Agricultural safety kits, gumboots and umbrellas were distributed to the Scheduled caste farmers by the PI and CoPIs’ of the NICRA project to the Farmers of Gwari, Archa Bhakaliya, and Gadarpipariya of Patan locality. Ten female farmers were also participated in the program and received distribution kits by the PI of project. Dr Deepak Pawar, Scientist (Agriculture biotechnology) and Dr Dasari Sreekanth, Scientist (Agriculture biotechnology), coordinated the program.