ICAR-IARI launches three Agri innovation labs for digital learning, climate resilience

INDIA – The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has expanded its infrastructure by launching three specialized innovation laboratories focused on modernizing the nation’s farming sector through advanced digital tools, food processing technologies, and climate-resilient research.

The newly inaugurated facilities include the Next Generation Agricultural Extension Learning Centre (NAEL Centre) at the Division of Agricultural Extension, the Processing Laboratory at the Division of Food Science and Postharvest Technology, and the Climate Resilient Green Agriculture (CARIGAR) Lab at the Division of Environmental Sciences.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Jat emphasized the importance of technology-driven solutions in agriculture and highlighted the role of digital learning platforms, advanced processing technologies, and climate-resilient innovations in achieving the vision for Viksit Bharat 2047.

The NAEL Centre represents a significant step towards digital transformation in agricultural education and extension. The project has developed 25 bilingual e-learning modules and 9 immersive Virtual Reality (VR) modules covering agricultural extension, climate-smart agriculture, integrated pest management, post-harvest management, communication skills, data analytics, entrepreneurship, and experiential learning.

These resources are designed to provide interactive learning experiences for farmers, students, extension personnel, and agricultural educators. Furthermore, the ICAR-IARI Campus Walkthrough (360-Degree Virtual Tour) was launched, showcasing research infrastructure through an immersive virtual platform.

The Processing Laboratory, with financial support of ₹1.13 crore (US$135,000) from the ICICI Foundation, has been equipped with modern food processing technologies for training, demonstration, and product development.

Consequently, the laboratory is expected to promote Agri-entrepreneurship, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance farmers’ income through value-added agricultural products.

Furthermore, the CARIGAR Lab, funded by the ICICI Foundation for Inclusive Growth under its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, has been established to strengthen research in climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural technologies.

The laboratory will support advanced research on climate adaptation strategies, resource conservation, carbon management, and environmentally sustainable practices. This contributes to resilient farming systems and long-term agricultural sustainability.

These three newly inaugurated facilities are expected to serve as national centres of excellence, fostering innovation, skills development, climate resilience, and technology-enabled agricultural transformation.

Therefore, by combining technological development with hands-on training, these centres aim to foster a more profitable and ecologically sound future for India’s agricultural community.

Lastly, the initiative highlights a national commitment to achieving long-term agricultural transformation through science and corporate partnerships.

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