Crop Production Division (फसल उत्पादन विभाग)

Forage crop production research in arable lands at the Institute was initiated in Division of Soil Science and Agronomy in the year 1964. The basic objective of the division was to develop and standardize the forage production techniques by efficient management of inputs under irrigated and rainfed situations. Later on in the year 1982, this division was divided into Division of Agronomy and Division of Soil Science. Further, in the year 1996, the Division of Agronomy and Soil Science were merged to form the Division of Crop Production. This was conceptualised to promote inter disciplinary approach in generation of agro-techniques through appropriate soil, water and nutrient management strategies. Since the inception, several need-based research projects were taken up on a mission mode and vast database was generated in Crop Production Division, which helped in unravelling the secrets of the production of fodder crops under specific management situations. Considerable emphasis was placed to track the SPAR (soil-plant-animal-relationship) to reveal the path of events taking place from the soil to animal via plants.

MANDATE

Development of suitable fodder production systems for irrigated and rainfed situations with an emphasis on efficient use of inputs, particularly nutrients and water
Development of forage based farming systems
Soil resource management and agro-meteorological studies relating to forage production systems

Thrust Area

Developing suitable production systems for optimizing forage productivity under irrigated and rainfed conditions.
Approaches for sustained system productivity and resource use efficiency of forage based sequences.
Soil health and amelioration needs in relation to forage crops.
Climatic variability, impacts and adaptation & mitigation strategies for optimizing forage productivity

Facilities

Central Analytical Laboratory (Soil)
Soil Microbiology Laboratory
Weather Observatory (B Type)
Physical laboratory
CP Farm Laboratory
IFS Research Block
Technology Park
Spineless Cactus Nursery

Technologies Developed

Technology- I: Round the year fodder production system (Irrigated situation)

Dimension: The system comprises of raising seasonal fodder crops, inter-planted with perennial grasses (hybrid napier / guinea grass). Hybrid Napier based cropping system (Hybrid Napier + (Cowpea - Berseem + Mustard) has green fodder production potential of 273 t/ha and dry fodder potential of 44.3 t/ha per year under assured water supply (Water requirement 1090 mm). Technology can supply round the year good quality fodder (Cereal: legume, 67:33) which can sustain 8-10 ACU per ha (1 ACU= 350 kg bodyweight).
Target area: The system is suitable for large scale dairy farmers in Peri-urban and Milkshed areas of whole India except tropical region.

Perennial based: BN hybrid + berseem + Mustard (rabi season)

After the inception of IGFRI, the division of Soil Science and Agronomy was established in the year 1964, for development and standardization of sustainable forage production technologies by efficient management of inputs under irrigated and rainfed situations. This division was bifurcated into Divisions of Agronomy and Soil Science in the year 1982. Further, in the year 1996, to promote the inter disciplinary approach in generation of agro- techniques for enhancement of nutritious forage production through appropriate soil, water and nutrient management strategies, the division of Agronomy and Soil Science were merged to form the Division of Crop Production.

MANDATE

Development of suitable fodder production systems for irrigated and rainfed situations with an emphasis on efficient use of inputs, particularly nutrients and water.

Development of forage based farming systems.

Soil resource management and agro-meteorological studies relating to forage production systems.

MISSION

Evaluation of different management practices for various fodder crops and combination of various forage systems to enhance forage productivity.

Judicious use of meteorological information and natural resource management to enhance forage production.

VISION

Efficient natural resource management.

THRUST AREA

Developing suitable perennial based production systems for optimizing forage productivity under irrigated and rainfed conditions.

Developing integrated nutrient supply system for enhanced nutrient and water use efficiency.

Soil health and amelioration needs in relation to forage crops.

Climatic variability and crops – weather modelling for optimizing forage productivity.