A brainstorming session on nano-fertilizers and their potential applications in sustainable agriculture was organised at ICAR–Directorate of Weed Research (ICAR-DWR), Jabalpur, in collaboration with the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO). The session focused on the role of nano-fertilizers in enhancing crop competitiveness, improving nutrient-use efficiency, reducing production costs, and exploring their compatibility with herbicides for effective weed management and higher crop productivity. Dr. J.S. Mishra emphasised the importance of nano-fertilizers in enhancing crop competitiveness and highlighted the need to investigate their compatibility with herbicides. He stressed that integrating nano-fertilizers with suitable herbicide applications could improve weed control, enhance crop productivity, and reduce cultivation costs.
Shri R.K.S. Rathaur, State Marketing Manager, IFFCO, Bhopal, highlighted IFFCO's journey since its inception and its continued efforts to serve Indian farmers through innovative agricultural inputs and an extensive outreach network. Dr Tarunendu Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer, IFFCO, New Delhi, delivered a detailed presentation on the advantages of nano-fertilizers and their potential to sustain agricultural productivity while reducing dependence on imported fertilizers and conserving foreign exchange. He presented research-based evidence on nutrient-use efficiency, productivity enhancement, and environmental sustainability. He also interacted with ICAR-DWR scientists to discuss strategies for the sustainable use of nano-fertilizers and explore opportunities for future research collaboration. Dr. V.K. Choudhary, Convenor of the programme, highlighted the growing importance of nano-fertilizers in sustainable crop production. He shared research findings on the compatibility of post-emergence herbicides with nano-fertilizers in direct-seeded rice, wheat, and greengram. He emphasised the need for systematic research to establish crop- and herbicide-specific compatibility, assess crop safety, and optimise the combined use of these inputs for effective weed management and improved productivity. He also reaffirmed the commitment to intensify research on herbicide–nano-fertilizer compatibility.
Scientists, research associates (RAs), senior research fellows (SRFs), and young professionals (YPs) of ICAR-DWR participated in the programme. Shri Santosh Raghuwanshi, Shri Vikash Chaurasia, and other IFFCO staff members were also present. The session provided a valuable platform for scientific interaction between ICAR-DWR and IFFCO, paving the way for collaborative research on the efficient and sustainable integration of nano-fertilizers and herbicides to promote productive, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable agriculture.