Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will visit Nagpur on Sunday to chair a high-level stakeholder consultation on Viksit Krishi and review key agricultural and rural development schemes in Maharashtra.
The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, is also expected to be present at the event.
During his visit, the minister will inaugurate the National Soil Spectral Library (NSSL), a major step forward in India's digital agriculture efforts.
Developed jointly by the 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, the NSSL forms part of the Network Programme on Precision Agriculture.
The National Soil Spectral Library aims to enable fast, contactless and cost-effective soil testing, moving away from traditional wet chemistry methods. The spectral database, representing diverse agro-climatic zones across India, will be formally dedicated to the nation by Chouhan.
In addition, the minister will launch an AI-based Smart Trap designed to detect and manage pink bollworm, a common pest affecting cotton crops.
Developed by the ICAR–Central Institute of Cotton Research in Nagpur, the smart trap uses machine learning technology to improve precision pest control in farming.
Progressive farmers from the region will also be honoured during the programme for their contributions to innovative agricultural practices.
The minister will be joined by DARE Secretary and ICAR Director General Dr Mangi Lal Jat, ICAR Deputy Director Generals, Assistant Director General, heads of ICAR institutions based in Maharashtra, Vice-Chancellors of State Agricultural Universities, and other senior officials.
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