Prime Minister Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) and Pulses Mission
ICAR–IIMR, Hyderabad organize Farmer–Scientist Interface during PMDDKY Launch Program
Hyderabad, October 11, 2025:
The ICAR–Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad, organized a combined event featuring the launch of the Prime Minister Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) and Pulses Mission, alongside a Farmer–Scientist Interface and Input Distribution Program for Scheduled Caste farmers under the SCSP component of the Global Centre of Excellence (GCoE). The event aimed to raise awareness about these national missions, promote millet-based technologies, and encourage inclusive development by facilitating direct interactions between farmers and scientists.
The program commenced with a welcome and introductory remarks by Dr. C. Tara Satyavathi, Director, ICAR–IIMR, highlighting the importance of linking scientific innovations with field-level practices to boost sustainable agriculture and farmer livelihoods. Hon'ble MP Shri Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, as chief guest of the Program, emphasized the government's commitment to farmer empowerment and rural development through these initiatives.
The event featured a live telecast of the PM’s launch of PMDDKY and the Pulses Mission, connecting farmers with national agricultural goals focused on productivity, sustainability, and nutrition security. Technical demonstrations and presentations on natural farming, soil health, and agronomic practices for oilseed crops provided farmers practical knowledge of eco-friendly methods, including soil testing and bio-input use.
Scientists from ICAR–IIMR facilitated a series of interactive and knowledge-sharing sessions covering key aspects of millet cultivation and crop management. The discussions centred on the adoption of climate-resilient millet varieties, effective strategies for integrated pest and disease control, and the application of post-harvest processing and value-addition technologies to enhance crop quality and market potential.
In addition, a focused session on entrepreneurship and business avenues for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) showcased the benefits of collective marketing, value chain integration, and enterprise development as means to increase farmers’ profitability and promote the growth of a robust millet-based agri-business ecosystem.
A live drone technology demonstration showcased precision agriculture tools to optimize crop management. The program concluded with a field visit to ICAR–IIMR’s research farms, where over 400 farmers from Medak, Mahabubnagar and Warangal districts Telangana and neighboring states observed improved cultivation and processing techniques first-hand information on sustainable agriculture.
This integrated event successfully combined policy dissemination, scientific innovation, and farmer participation, reinforcing ICAR–IIMR’s commitment to advancing millet cultivation and promoting sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture in India. Scientists, Technical, Administration, Finance and all employees of IIMR Participated in the program.
