Scientists from ICAR – Sugarcane Breeding Institute (SBI), Coimbatore – K. Hari, D. Puthira Prathap, P. Murali, A. Rameshsundar and B. Singaravelu – were awarded the first Rashtriya Krishi Vigyan Puraskar in the category “Innovation & Technology in Agriculture & Allied Sciences.” Awarded for the invention of the Soil Moisture Indicator (SMI), a device to measure soil moisture levels and conserve irrigation water. The award was presented during the 97th Foundation Day of ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research).
About Soil Moisture Indicator (SMI)
- Developed under: Farmers’ Participatory Action Research Project (FPARP).
- Funding: Ministry of Jal Shakti.
- Oversight: Central Water Commission (CWC).
- Working principle: Based on soil electrical conductivity, which reflects moisture content.
Key Benefits
- Saves around 15% of irrigation water.
- Boosted sugarcane harvest from 55.8 tonnes/acre → 60.4 tonnes/acre/year.
- Effective in multiple crops: tomato, brinjal, groundnut, banana, chili, etc.
- Demonstrated under Mission for Developed Agriculture in Tamil Nadu.
Adoption & Scale
- To be implemented in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Maharashtra.
- Patent filed; 22 companies licensed to manufacture four design variations (including first registered ICAR design).
- Digital Soil Moisture Sensor (Android-compatible version) has also been developed.
- Included in the National Occupational Standard (NOS) of a Sugarcane Cultivator.
Rashtriya Krishi Vigyan Puraskar (National Agriculture Science Award):
- Recognises technological innovation and impact in agriculture & allied sciences.
- Presented during the 97th ICAR Foundation Day (1929 – 2024 = 95 years completed, entering 96th year, but 97th celebration).
ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research):
- Established: 16 July 1929 as Imperial Council of Agricultural Research.
- Headquarters: New Delhi.
- Parent body: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, GoI.
- Functions: Coordinates agricultural education & research in India.
Sugarcane Breeding Institute (SBI), Coimbatore:
- Established: 1912 (as Sugarcane Breeding Station, later merged under ICAR).
- A premier institute for sugarcane genetics, crop improvement, and breeding.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
- Formed in 2019 by merging:
- Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation and
- Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation.
- Focus: Water conservation, irrigation efficiency, and sustainable water management.
Central Water Commission (CWC)
- A premier technical organisation in India in water resources.
- Functions under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Soil Moisture & Agriculture
- Soil moisture is a critical factor in irrigation planning.
- Technologies like SMI, tensiometers, neutron probes, time domain reflectometry (TDR) used globally.
- Efficient water use aligns with India’s PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) goal: “Har Khet Ko Pani”.