The Model Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Village Project in Wardha, Maharashtra, continued its focus on farmer capacity-building and scientific interventions in August 2025.
Exposure Visit of farmers to the KVK, Selsura
On 2nd August, farmers from NABARD’s CSA Village, along with the SFI team, participated in a PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Fund distribution program at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Selsura, Wardha. The event featured technical sessions on soybean crop management and a live drone spraying demonstration. The Syngenta Foundation India (SFI) team, along with farmers from NABARD’s Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Village, were invited to participate in the event.
During the program, CSA farmers actively shared their field experiences and the positive results achieved through the Broad Bed Furrow (BBF) technology, highlighting its effectiveness in improving crop performance. Adding to the occasion, one of our Agriculture Entrepreneur (AE), Ms. Manda Yesankhed, was felicitated with a Beekeeping Certificate, presented by Mr. Jivan Katore, Head of KVK. The event was graced by the presence of eminent dignitaries including Mr. Jivan Katore (Head, KVK), Dr. Vajire (Scientist, KVK), Mrs. Savita Pawar, and Mr. Rangkumar Avhad (Project Coordinator, Wardha), making it a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and farmer recognition.
Farmer Capacity Building on Pink Bollworm Management through Scientific Interventions
On 13th August, Syngenta Foundation India (SFI) participated a farmer training program organized by KVK Selsura, Wardha with CSAV farmers, focusing on Pink Bollworm awareness and effective control measures in cotton. The session aimed to strengthen farmers’ understanding of the pest’s biology, life cycle, and infestation patterns while promoting integrated pest management (IPM) strategies such as timely sowing, pheromone trap installation, regular crop monitoring, removal of infested fruiting bodies, and judicious use of bio-pesticides and chemical sprays.
The event was graced by eminent dignitaries including Dr. C.D. Mayi, President, Agro Vision Foundation, Nagpur; Dr. Dhanraj Undirwade, Director, Extension Institute, PDKV Akola; Dr. Bhagirath Choudhary, Director, South Asia Biotechnology Centre, Jodhpur; Dr. V.N. Waghmare, Central Cotton Research Institute, Nagpur; Dr. Jivan Katore, Head, KVK Selsura Wardha; Mrs. Pratikshya Mendhe, Agriculture Officer, Deoli; and Dr. Nilesh Vajire, Subject Specialist – Crop Protection, KVK Selsura.
A total of 36 farmers from our Climate Smart Agriculture Village (CSAV) project actively participated, gaining scientifically validated knowledge and practical skills to reduce crop losses, improve cotton productivity, and adopt environmentally sustainable practices. The training thus served as a critical platform for farmer–scientist interaction, ensuring that farmers are better equipped to make science-based decisions at the farm level for long-term pest management and resilience.
These initiatives are strengthening farmer confidence, promoting science-based decision-making, and paving the way for climate-smart, resilient agriculture in Wardha.
