The ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) is set to host the Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela (PKVM) 2025, aimed at showcasing the latest advancements in agriculture. This annual event will serve as a platform for farmers, scientists and industry professionals to engage, collaborate and share valuable knowledge. The Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela will be held from February 22 to 24 at IARI’s campus in New Delhi, under the theme “Unnat Krishi – Viksit Bharat.”
The event will feature live demonstrations of new crop varieties and technologies developed by IARI, exhibitions showcasing promising advancements in agriculture and technical sessions addressing crucial topics such as climate-resilient farming, crop diversification, digital agriculture and entrepreneurship development for youth and women. Additionally, discussions on agricultural marketing, farmers’ organizations and startups will be held to provide insights into emerging trends in the sector. Farmers attending the event will have access to on-spot agro-advisories and the opportunity to purchase Pusa Seeds of important crop varieties.
Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chauhan, will inaugurate the event as the Chief Guest. Ramnath Thakur, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, will be the Guest of Honour at the inaugural function, while Bhagirath Choudhary, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, will serve as the Chief Guest for the valedictory session on February 24. Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary of DARE and Director General of ICAR, will preside over both the inaugural and valedictory sessions.
Focus on Climate-Resilient and Nutrient-Rich Crop Varieties
Recognizing the increasing risks posed by climate change and the need for enhanced nutrition, IARI has developed climate-resilient and bio-fortified crop cultivars. In 2024, a total of 27 new crop cultivars were introduced across 10 different crops, including bread wheat, rice, maize, pearl millet, chickpea, pigeon pea, mung bean, lentil, mustard and soybean. These releases include 16 improved varieties and 11 hybrids designed to offer higher productivity and better disease resistance.
IARI’s high-yielding and disease-resistant varieties, including Pusa Basmati 1718, Pusa Basmati 1692 and Pusa Basmati 1509, accounted for nearly 90% of India’s Basmati rice exports in 2023-24, which amounted to 5.2 million tons, generating INR 48,389 crores. Between April and November 2024 alone, the country earned INR 31,488 crores from Basmati exports. Two newly released short-duration non-Basmati rice varieties, Pusa 1824 and Pusa 2090, are expected to benefit farmers by allowing sufficient time for post-harvest operations. Additionally, Pusa RH 60, a high-yielding aromatic rice hybrid, has been introduced for cultivation in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
To improve nutritional security, IARI has developed eight bio-fortified crop cultivars. Among them, bread wheat variety HI 1665 and durum wheat HI 8840 have been enriched with high iron and zinc content. A multi-nutrient maize hybrid, Pusa Biofortified Maize Hybrid 5, offers enhanced levels of provitamin A, lysine and tryptophan. The institute has also introduced Pusa Popcorn Hybrid-1 and Hybrid-2, which provide high popping percentages, and Pusa HM4 Male Sterile Baby Corn-2, suitable for multiple agro-climatic zones.
Two mustard varieties, Pusa Mustard 35 and Pusa Mustard 36, have been released with low erucic acid and glucosinolate content, making them healthier options for oil production. Additionally, pearl millet variety Pusa 1801 has been developed with high iron and zinc content, catering to both grain and fodder requirements. New chickpea varieties such as Pusa Chickpea Vijay 10217 and Pusa 3057 offer high yields and disease resistance, while Pusa Arhar Hybrid-5 has been introduced to provide increased productivity and improved resistance to various plant diseases.
Advancements in Agricultural Technology
IARI has made strides in developing technologies that benefit farmers by improving efficiency and sustainability. The ‘SpeedySeed Viability Kit’ has been created to distinguish between viable and non-viable seeds within 1 to 4 hours. The Pusa STFR Meter, a low-cost digital instrument, enables soil testing for 14 key soil parameters, including pH, organic carbon and nutrient levels.
To address agricultural waste management, the Pusa Decomposer has been developed as an eco-friendly microbial solution for residue management. Available in a ready-to-use powder form, it can be dissolved in water and applied with mechanical sprayers for effective decomposition of paddy straw. The Sun Fridge, an off-grid, battery-less solar cold storage facility, has also been introduced for storing perishable farm produce.
Two new kits, PUSA MeFly KIT and PUSA CueFly KIT, have been launched to help manage fruit fly infestations in fruits and cucurbit vegetables. Additionally, diagnostic kits have been developed for rapid detection of chilli leaf curl virus and mung bean yellow mosaic virus, while the Pusa Dhan Bakanae Parikshan Kit enables identification of pathogens causing bakanae disease in rice.
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IARI Promoting Crop Diversification and Sustainable Farming
IARI has taken initiatives to promote crop diversification through integrated farming systems (IFS). The institute has developed a one-hectare IFS model that combines crops, dairy, fishery, duckery, biogas production and agroforestry, capable of generating net returns of up to Rs. 3,79,000 per hectare per year while creating 628 employment days. A smaller 0.4-hectare model integrates polyhouse culture, mushroom cultivation and horticulture enterprises, with the potential to generate Rs. 1,75,650 per acre per year.
Horticulture-based diversification has gained popularity among farmers, leading to increased profitability. IARI has released 268 improved vegetable varieties across 48 crops, including 41 hybrids and 227 varieties. New nutritionally enriched vegetable varieties such as Pusa Prateek, Pusa Rudhira, and Pusa Asita in carrots, and Pusa Lal Bhindi-1 in okra, have been developed to address malnutrition. Disease-resistant okra varieties Pusa Bhindi-5 and DOH-1 aim to minimize pesticide use and cultivation costs. Additionally, improved brinjal, onion, cucumber, bitter gourd, muskmelon and Indian bean varieties have been introduced for better yield and market value.
In the fruit sector, two soft-seeded guava varieties, Pusa Aarushi (red pulp) and Pusa Pratiksha (white pulp), along with a semi-dwarf papaya variety, Pusa Peet, have been developed. The institute has also introduced new marigold and gladiolus varieties to enhance floriculture prospects.
With its extensive lineup of agricultural exhibits, technical discussions and interactive sessions, the Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela 2025 is expected to provide valuable insights and opportunities for farmers, researchers and industry stakeholders alike.
