The ICAR–Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CCARI) Goa, in collaboration with the Fertilizer Association of India (FAI) – Western Region, successfully organised the inauguration of the Management Development Programme (MDP) on 6th May 2025 at Old Goa.
The event was graced by the presence of Dr. S.K. Chaudhari, Director General, FAI, who inaugurated the programme and delivered the chief guest address.
In his remarks, Dr. Chaudhari provided a detailed perspective on the current fertilizer industry landscape and highlighted the need for strategic demarcation of land use for conventional versus natural and organic farming. He emphasised that such measures are essential to ensure the sustainable and efficient use of fertilizers in Indian agriculture. Dr. Parveen Kumar, Director of ICAR-CCARI, welcomed the chief guest and participants, and outlined the institute’s core research and extension activities. He also shared recent findings and initiatives undertaken by ICAR-CCARI in the field of nutrient management specific to coastal agricultural systems.
The technical sessions included expert talks by Dr. Gopal Mahajan on “Fertilizer Use under Climate Smart Agriculture” and Dr. Murtaza Hasan from IARI, New Delhi, on “Smart Urban Farming”. These sessions prompted engaging discussions on innovative approaches in fertilizer use and urban agriculture practices. As part of the programme, participants toured various demonstration units at ICAR-CCARI, including coconut-based natural farming systems, organic input recycling units, and the Livestock Waste Valorization System (LWVS).
A special focus was given to the institute’s development of PROM (Phosphourja), a phosphate-rich organic manure, where its effectiveness and commercialisation potential were showcased. The programme witnessed the participation of approximately 25 senior industry professionals.
The event was coordinated by Mr. S.P. Shete, Regional Executive, FAI-WR, in collaboration with Dr. Gopal Mahajan, Dr. Paramesha V, and Vinod Ubarhande from ICAR-CCARI.
