A Three-Days Stakeholders Meeting on “Operationalizing the Action Plan and Preparing Location-Specific Action Plans” under the National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA)-Technology Demonstration Component (TDC)is inauguratedat ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad today. The meeting is being organized by ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), Hyderabad during 22-24September, 2026.

More than 100 delegates including Directors from ATARIs and ICAR institutes at Hyderabad, Nodal Scientists, ZMC Members, Scientists from ICAR institutes and KVKs, and other programme stakeholders and scientists from ICAR-CRIDA participated in the programme.

Dr. B. Venkateswarlu, Ex-Vice Chancellor, V N Marathwada Agricultural University, Parbhaniwas the Chief Guest of the inaugural session of the programme. The other dignitaries for the inaugural program are Dr. S.R.K. Singh, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Jabalpur, Dr.Shaik. N. Meera, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Hyderabad, Dr.M.Prabhakar,Director,ICAR-ATARI, Bengaluru.Dr. Ranjay Singh, ADG (Agril. Extension) New Delhi, joined online.The event was initiated by lighting the lamp by the dignitaries as a symbol of bestowing knowledge eternally.

The present stakeholders meeting aims to review the achievements and lessons of the past five years and translate the approved NICRA-TDC Action Plan into location-specific action plans for the next phase.

Dr V. K. Singh, Director ICAR-CRIDA welcomed the delegates and dignitaries and briefed about the objectives of the programme.In his opening remarks apprised the gathering about the importance NICRA-TDC and praised the KVK’s for their contribution during these 15 years.He also informed that many states of India utilizing the contingency planes prepared by CRIDA.He informed that the TDC-NICRA, implemented through 151 KVKs in climate vulnerable districts across 33 states, has significantly enhanced the adaptive capacity of farmers through location-specific interventions.

Dr.S.R.K. Singh, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Jabalpur in his address stressed the need of digital tools in the extension to reach farmers easily and urged to work in convergence mode. Dr. Shaik. N. Meera, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Hyderabad praised the growth of NICRA-TDC during these 15 years in building resilience.He also appreciated the contingency plans prepared by CRIDA and he informed thatcontingency planshave played a real, active role in handling El Niño's Impact on agriculture. He also stressed that digital agriculture, through mobile advisories, GeoAI,real-time field monitoring and wide-reach digital dissemination is important.

Dr. M. Prabhakar, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Bengalurutold that India experienced a country-wide El Niño-linked weather disturbance in 2026 and informed that contingency plans helped in handling El Niño's Impact on agriculture. Dr. Ranjay Singh, ADG (Agricultural Extension) who has participated virtually in the inaugural programme briefly explained about how handled the climate change effects likeEl Niño during this year.He argued to update the contingency plans with real experiences. He stressed to work with state deportments to effectively implement the contingency plans.

Dr. B. Venkateswarlu Ex-Vice Chancellor, V N Marathwada Agricultural University in his address stressed the need of discussing each other among the KVKs and share their experiences. He also expressed the technology driven (viz., precision agriculture, drip irrigation, fertigation, conservation agriculture, drones) satisfactory achievements in agriculture and allied sectors of last 15 years. He also described NICRA played a greater role in sensitizing about the climate change from farmers to policy makers. He stressed the need of use of AI/ML,IOT and other digital tools in coming years and argued to follow new approaches in coping with climate change.

During the inauguration program publications released Dr. Prathibha PI, NICRA - TDC, ICAR - CRIDA, Hyderabad proposed formal vote of thanks. The inaugural session will be followed by concurrent zone-wise review sessions on NICRA-TDC progress by different KVKs. Scientists from KVKs will present the progress and experiences of the past five years. There will be seven sessions including a dedicated session on "Operationalizing the Action Plans", focusing on translating the approved programme framework into practical, location-specific interventions.

The deliberations will focus on reviewing progress, identifying gaps, sharing successful experiences and operationalizing the approved Action Plan. The recommendations will guide the next phase of NICRA-TDC, with emphasis on location-specific farming-system interventions, institutional convergence, digital monitoring and sustainable climate resilience at the village level.