NRM and sustainable agriculture: Students and researchers learnt natural resource management from ICAR-IISWC
NRM and Sustainable Agriculture: Empowering Future Leaders Through Experiential Learning
Dehradun, June 27, 2025: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation (ICAR-IISWC), Dehradun, hosted a group of around 50 students and research scholars on June 27, 2025, as part of the “National Governance Tour.”
The group comprised participants from diverse academic backgrounds such as Agriculture, Law, Computer Engineering, Electronics, and Social Sciences, and included students from prestigious institutions like IIT Chennai, SRM Institute of Science and Technology (Kattankulathur, Chennai), and Lovely Professional University (Jalandhar, Punjab).
Understanding Soil Erosion and Conservation
Addressing the visiting group, Dr. M. Madhu, Director of the Institute, provided a detailed explanation of soil erosion processes and the five key principles of controlling soil erosion. He elaborated on how the kinetic energy of raindrops can disintegrate soil particles and how erosion can be prevented through conservation techniques. He emphasized the DTD process – Detachment, Transport, and Deposition – and the importance of managing these through effective soil conservation practices.
Also Read: ICAR-IISWC Fodder Management VKSA 2025: Kharif Season Awareness on Grassland and Fodder Management
Focus on NRM and Climate-Resilient Agriculture
Dr. M. Muruganandam, Principal Scientist and Head of PME & KM Units and coordinator of the visit, explained how region-specific Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) techniques are developed at ICAR-IISWC. He highlighted the importance of understanding variables such as soil quality, rainfall patterns, land slope, land cover, and cropping systems in developing sustainable agricultural practices.
He also addressed the impacts of climate change on agriculture, riverine ecosystems, and overall productivity, stressing the need to adopt climate-resilient agricultural strategies.
Awareness on NRM and ICAR’s Role
During the visit, participants were introduced to the significance of Natural Resource Management (NRM) and sustainable agriculture techniques. They were briefed on the ICAR network, its research institutions, and the specific role of ICAR-IISWC and its regional centers. The students showed great enthusiasm and asked insightful questions on soil-water conservation, soil health, advanced farming techniques, and future career prospects in this field.
This educational visit was part of the “Students’ Parliament” initiative by Zero Hour Foundation, Gujarat. The group is currently in Dehradun exploring the operations of various political, administrative, scientific, and public institutions as part of their educational tour.
