Annual Review Meeting of AICRP on Weed Management Commenced

The 32nd Annual Review Meeting of the All India Coordinated Research Project on Weed Management (AICRP-WM) commenced at RVSKVV, Gwalior on 21st May 2025. Altogether 70 participants, including scientists from AICRP-WM centres, RVSKVV and ICAR-DWR, delegates from industries, farmers other staff members attended the meeting. At the outset, Dr. R.P. Dubey, Principal Scientist and In-charge of AICRP-WM, welcomed the delegates. In his address, he outlined the objectives of the meeting and emphasized the pivotal role played by AICRP centres across the country in developing and disseminating effective, location-specific weed management technologies over the years, and presented the major achievements and key recommendations of the coordinated project for the year 2025-25.

Dr. S.K. Sharma, Director of Research Services, RVSKVV, highlighted the significance of effective weed management for sustainable agricultural production. Dr. S. Bhaskar, former ADG (Agronomy, Agroforestry & Climate Change), ICAR, and Guest of Honour, appreciated the efforts and contributions of the AICRP-Weed Management in the field to weed science. He emphasized the need to explore emerging research areas such as carbon credit system, carbon sequestration, and the role of weed management in sustainable agricultural practices like conservation agriculture.

The inaugural session was chaired by Dr. A.K. Shukla, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, RVSKVV, Gwalior. In his address, he underscored the challenges posed by invasive and noxious weeds and the need to intensify coordinated research efforts to develop sustainable weed management practices. He also told the scientist to work on machine innovation and explore the options of farm mechanization for weed management in Regenerative Agriculture, Natural Farming and Organic farming. He emphasised to conduct basic and strategic research to develop technologies. Fifteen publications were released on the occasion. The Best Centre Award for 2024 was conferred upon the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), Thrissur Centre.