TERI–IPL Foundation Initiative: Empowering Farmers through Green Skills and Sustainable Agricultural Practices

A Village-Level Farmers’ Awareness Programme was successfully conducted on 22 June 2026 at Alipur Khurd Village, Block Baghra, District Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. The programme was organized as part of a series of awareness initiatives planned over the next four months under the project supported by the Indian Potash Limited Foundation (IPLF). More than 75 farmers participated in the programme.

The primary objective of the programme was to promote Sustainable Livelihood Enhancement through Green Skills and Climate-Resilient Agriculture Practices among farmers. The programme was graced by Dr Hansraj Singh, Head & Professor, Swami Kalyan Dev Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Baghra, Muzaffarnagar, and Dr. Ambresh Kumar, Pesticide Unit, Indian Potash Limited, Titawi, Muzaffarnagar. The TERI team comprising Mr. V. V. S. Parihar, Mr Akif Farooqui, and Mr Lokendra Singh also addressed the participants.

The programme commenced with a welcome address and an overview of the project by Mr VVS Parihar, Associate Fellow, TERI-KRC, who highlighted the project objectives and planned interventions. During the technical session, Dr Hansraj Singh emphasized the importance of soil testing, integrated farming systems, and the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). He also demonstrated proper soil sampling techniques and assured support for soil testing through the KVK laboratory.

Subsequently, Mr Lokendra Singh, Agri-Expert, provided insights into the pre- and post-harvest management practices of selected MAP species and discussed their market potential. Dr Ambresh Kumar from IPL informed farmers about common crop diseases, their preventive measures, and encouraged them to initiate MAP cultivation on a small scale. Mr Akif Farooqui, Manager Projects, TERI-CRA, delivered a session on solar energy applications in agriculture and briefed farmers about various government schemes supporting solar technologies.

The programme concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which farmers actively participated and sought clarifications from the experts. The participants were informed about a proposed three-day intensive training programme to be organized in the coming months, aimed at providing detailed technical knowledge and practical exposure on climate-resilient agriculture, medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation, and sustainable farming practices.