Marking the 113th Foundation Day of the Karnataka State Department of Agriculture, a high-level technical workshop on “Next Generation Nano Fertilizer: A New Era in Sustainable Farming” was organised in Bengaluru, bringing together senior policymakers, scientists and district-level agriculture leaders from across the state.
The workshop assumed special significance as it was attended by top officials including Principal Secretary (Agriculture) Selvakumar, Commissioner of Agriculture Y.S. Patil, Director of Agriculture Dr. G.T. Putra, along with all Joint and Deputy Directors representing districts across Karnataka. Their presence underscored the state’s commitment to exploring advanced technologies aimed at improving farm productivity while ensuring environmental sustainability.
Dr. Lakshmanan delivered a comprehensive scientific presentation explaining the technology behind nano fertilisers, highlighting their higher nutrient use efficiency and precision delivery mechanisms. He elaborated on how nano formulations can reduce excessive chemical usage, minimise nutrient losses, and lower input costs for farmers, while simultaneously reducing soil and water pollution.
The highlight of the event was the address by Yogendra Kumar, who emphasised that nano fertilisers represent a transformative shift in Indian agriculture. He underlined the urgent need to adopt innovative and climate-resilient solutions to address rising input costs, soil degradation, and the growing challenges posed by climate change. According to him, nano fertilisers not only enhance productivity but also make farming more cost-effective and environmentally responsible.
He noted that the future of Indian agriculture lies in science-driven, farmer-centric technologies that balance productivity with sustainability. Stressing the importance of policy backing and administrative support, he urged state officials to play a proactive role in accelerating awareness and adoption among farmers.
The participation of district-level Joint and Deputy Directors added further weight to the deliberations, as these officers serve as the crucial link between the government and farmers at the grassroots level. Their endorsement and technical understanding are expected to play a pivotal role in scaling up the popularisation and field-level implementation of nano fertilisers across Karnataka.
The workshop was organised under the leadership of SMM Karnataka, C. Narayanswamy, who envisioned the initiative as a decisive step toward innovation-driven agricultural transformation in the state. With policymakers and extension leaders aligning on the need for next-generation inputs, the event marked a significant push toward sustainable, climate-smart, and technology-enabled farming in Karnataka.
