ICAR-CCARI Scientists Receive FAI Award for Excellence in Plant Nutrition 2025

    A team of scientists from ICAR–Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CCARI), Goa, has been conferred the prestigious FAI Award for Excellence in Plant Nutrition 2025 by The Fertiliser Association of India (FAI), New Delhi. The award was presented to Dr. Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR-CCARI, Dr. Gopal Ramdas Mahajan, and Dr. Paramesha V. for their outstanding scientific contributions to plant nutrition research and innovation in diverse agroecosystems.

    The award recognises the team’s pioneering work in developing best nutrient management practices for potato varieties suited to processing, precision nutrient management, STCR-based fertiliser recommendations, integrated and site-specific nutrient management, farming system research, remote-sensing-enabled nutrient monitoring and management frameworks, digital tools (mobile apps and webportals) for nutrient management tailored to coastal cropping and farming systems. Their research demonstrated significant gains in nutrient-use efficiency, crop productivity, and farmer profitability. This esteemed national recognition carries a cash prize of ₹2.0 lakh, a Gold Medal, and a Citation. The award was presented by Mr. Rajat Kumar Mishra, Secretary (Fertilizer), Government of India, in the presence of the Chairman and Director General, FAI, during the Inaugural Function of the FAI Seminar 2025 held on 10 December 2025 in New Delhi.

    The FAI lauded the team for generating robust scientific evidence on plant nutrition, nutrient management, scalable IFS models, and policy-relevant documentation across diverse agroecosystems, particularly coastal agriculture. Their work has enabled broader adoption of technology among farmers, contributing to improved livelihoods and environmental stewardship.

    ICAR-CCARI congratulates Dr. Parveen Kumar, Dr. Gopal Mahajan, and Dr. Paramesha V for bringing national recognition to the institute and for their impactful contributions to plant nutrition research.