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भा.कृ.अनु.प.- भारतीय चरागाह एवं चारा अनुसंधान संस्थान, झाँसी

ICAR - Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi

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GRASSLAND AND SILVIPASTURE MANAGEMENT DIVISION

THRUST AREAS

  • Resource Inventory Monitoring through Traditional and Geospatial Technology (Artificial Intelligence–Machine Learning; Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing).
  • Grassland Management, Ecological Restoration of Degraded lands through Alternate Land Use System (ALUS) and estimation of ecosystem services.
  • Technology Development for the Sustainable Management and Utilization of different Land Use Systems (Silvipasture, Hortipasture System).

WORKING GROUPS

  • Resource Inventory Monitoring and Remote Sensing.
  • Grassland Management and Ecological Restoration of Degraded lands.
  • Silvipastoral and Hortipastoral Management.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION

The Grassland and Silvipasture Management Division was established with the aim to inventorize, characterize, and document India’s range resources, evaluate range species for diverse fodder and land-use systems, and develop technologies for establishing and improving grasslands, silvipastures, and hortipastures across agro-climatic zones of India. Since its establishment, the division has classified Indian grasslands into five major cover types; mapped and characterized grasslands through reconnaissance surveys and geospatial techniques; assessed range resources for multiple land-use systems; assessed the pan-India area under pasture land along with its productivity; generated a range of grassland and pasture development and improvement technologies; developed annual Moringa production technology for fodder security in Uttar Pradesh; developed an R package for spectral vegetation indices and soil functionality; designed drone-based seeding technology for degraded land restoration; and developed NUTRIGEL, a novel fertilizer to improve water and nutrient use efficiency on degraded landscapes.

Currentlydivision is focusing on quantifying ecosystem services in pasturelands, hortipasture and silvipasture system;restoring degraded lands through two-tier and three-tier silvipasture systems and hortipasture systems; evaluating fodder tree germplasm for yield and quality across various agro-climatic zones, particularly in semi-arid regions; developing improved pasture management technologies for sustaining soil-pasture-animal productivity;developing Natural Grassland Ecosystem Monitoring System for Peninsular and Trans Himalayan India to sustain pastoralcommunities.

ONGOING RESEARCH PROJECTS

Project Code Title Team
CRSCIGFRISIL20200303 Evaluation of Ailanthus excelsa and Morus species germplasm for growth performance, fodder yield and nutritional traits under various agro-climatic zones Kamini, A. K. Handa (ICAR-CAFRI), R. P. Nagar, Maneet Rana and Sheeraz S. Bhat
CRSCIGFRISIL20220301 Sustainable forage production from different densities of shrubs and trees through lopping management in three-tier silvopasture system S. N. Ram, Kamini, R. V. Kumar, M. M. Das, Avijit Ghosh
CRSCIGFRISIL20230303 Sustaining productivity in grown-up hortipastoral system for fruit and forage security with soil and tree management practices Sunil Kumar, Amit K. Singh, A. Ghosh, S. R. Kantwa, Srinivasan R. and A. K. Shukla
CRSCIGFRISIL20230304 Pruning management for optimizing forage and wood productivity from Hardwickia binata-based silvopasture systems S. N. Ram, Kamini, A. Ghosh and A. K. Shukla
CRSCIGFRISIL20230301 Solubilization of native soil P using natural silicon sources and P solubilizing microbes Avijit Ghosh, Amit Kumar Singh, Srinivasan R. and Mukesh Choudhary
CRSCIGFRISIL20230301 Improved pasture management for sustaining soil–pasture–animal productivity Avijit Ghosh, Amit K. Singh, Srinivasan R., Sultan Singh, S. N. Ram, R. V. Kumar and Sunil Kumar

EXTERNALLY FUNDED PROJECTS

Title Funding Agency Team
Natural grassland ecosystem monitoring system for Peninsular and Trans-Himalayan India to sustain pastoral communities National Agricultural Science Fund (NASF) Avijit Ghosh, Amit K. Singh, J. P. Singh, A. K. Shukla and Nagratna Biradar
Fly ash use in agriculture for sustainable crop production and environmental protection National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Avijit Ghosh, R. V. Kumar, Amit Kumar Singh, Sunil Kumar, Kamini
Use and conservation of agrobiodiversity for food and nutrition security, increased agricultural sustainability, and resilience to climate change in India (Subproject 4: Develop methods for restoring degraded grazing lands) CIAT–Bioversity International Amit Kumar Singh and A. Ghosh
Grassland restoration and rejuvenation for enhancing grazing resources using remote sensing and drone technologies National Livestock Mission, DAHD, GoI Amit Kumar Singh, Sunil Swami, A. Ghosh, A. K. Patil and R. V. Kumar
Agri Drone Project ICAR Amit Kumar Singh, Avijit Ghosh and Gaurendra Gupta

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS

1. Classification of Indian Grassland into five major grass covers (by Dabadghao and Shankarnaryanan)
1. Sehima-Dichanthium
2. Dichanthium-Cenchrus-Lasiurus
3. Phragmites-Saccharum-Imperata
4. Themeda-Arundinella
5. Temperate Alpine
Classification of Indian Grasslands 		2. GIS Mapping of Indian Grasslands
(Bundelkhand area, Amrit Mahal Grasslands, Banni Grassland, Kangayam tract survey, Lower Sind catchment, Kachchh-Saurashtra region, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim)
GIS Mapping of Indian Grasslands
3. Developed Model GRASS: Grassland Restoration for Accelerated Soil and Fodder Security
• Reseeding of improved grasses and legumes
• Restricted grazing
• Improves carbon sequestration and ecosystem biodiversity
• Sustains fodder availability
• Mitigate greenhouse gas emissions
 Model GRASS - Benefits
Model GRASS Image 1 Model GRASS Image 2
4. Estimated Pan India Pasture Land and Productivity
Pan India Pasture Land and Productivity
5. Developed Drone Based Seeding Technology for Degraded Land Restoration and Grassland Development
Drone-based seeding 1 Drone-based seeding 2
6. Developed Ecological Restoration Efficiency: A Time Saving Tool to Measure Efficiency of Restoration Strategies
Ecological Restoration Efficiency Tool 		7. Developed Novel Fertilizer “NUTRIGEL” for Improving Water and Nutrient Use Efficiency in Degraded Lands
NUTRIGEL Fertilizer NUTRIGEL Performance
8. Developed Hardwickia binata, Ficus infectoria, Morus alba, Acacia nilotica and Leucaena leucocephala based Two Tier and Three Tier Silvopastures for restoration of Degraded Lands and Fodder Security
Adopted by – Various State Forest Departments, Soil Water Conservation NGOs, Gaushalas etc.
Silvopasture Models 		9. Developed Hortipastoral Models for Fruit and Forage Security – Bael, Aonla, Guava based Hortipastoral model
Adopted by – Farmers under NICRA, Adarsh Chara Gram, Joint Forest Management and Social Forestry Programmes, NGOs, Gaushalas etc.
Bael based hortipasture Aonla/Guava based hortipasture
Silvopasture field
Hortipasture view 1 Hortipasture view 2
10. Developed Annual Moringa Production Technology for Fodder Security in Uttar Pradesh
Annual Moringa Production 		11. Developed “Virtual Herbarium of IGFRI” Representing Indian Forage Diversity: 2500 Specimens of More Than 60 Families
Virtual Herbarium of IGFRI
12. Developed R Package for The Spectral Vegetation Indices and Soil Functionality
1. Ghosh A, Misra T, Singh AK, Shukla AK, and Singla S. 2025. R package for estimation of Soil functionality Click Here
2. Ghosh A, Misra T, Singh AK, Shukla AK, and Singla S. 2024. R package for estimation of soil biological activity indices Click Here
3. Ghosh A, Chaurasia RS, Misra T, Singh AK, Kumar S, Chakroborty A, Devanand, Singh JP and Shukla AK. 2025. VegSpecIndex: Vegetation and Spectral Indices for Environmental Assessment Click Here

ICAR TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATES

  1. 1. Morus-based silvipasture model for enhanced ecosystem services
  2. 2. Acacia-based silvipasture model for fodder supply and land restoration
  3. 3. Eco-Restoration Efficiency Index for semi-arid region
  4. 4. Fruit tree-based hortipasture model for enhancing productivity in semi-arid region
  5. 5. Cenchrus ciliaris, Heteropogon contortus, Sehima nervosum accelerate recarbonization of soil (RECSOIL): Evolution and proof of concept from carbon isotope (δ13C) signature
  6. 6. GRASS (Grassland Restoration for Accelerated Soil and Fodder Security) for degraded community pasturelands restoration in Bundelkhand region using Cenchrus ciliaris, Megathyrsus maximus and Stylosanthes seabrana
  7. 7.Nutrigel for improving nutrient and water use efficiency

VARIETIES OBTAINED / PROTOTYPE / MACHINE / PRODUCTS DEVELOPED

  1. Novel fertilizer “NUTRIGEL” for improving water and nutrient use efficiency in degraded lands
  2. R package for estimation of Soil Functionality ( SoilFunctionality )
  3. R package for estimation of soil biological activity indices ( biologicalActivityIndices )
  4. VegSpecIndex: Vegetation and Spectral Indices for Environmental Assessment ( VegSpecIndex )

PATENTS FILED / GRANTED

Sl. No. Patents filed / granted / registration obtained Date of filing / registration
1 Published: Ghosh A., Singh A. K. and Kumar R. V. 2024. A process for preparation of Nutrigel. Application No. 202411026275 March 29, 2024

INFRASTRUCTURE AVAILABLE

  1. Farm area – 72.50 hectare
  2. Herbarium: Physical and virtual with 2500 herbarium physical specimens belonging to more than 60 families
  3. Live Museum: At GSM Research Farm with 40 species of grasses and legumes
  4. GIS–RS, Drone Lab – Grassland restoration and monitoring
  5. Grassland Ecology Lab – Grassland health assessment

FACILITIES AVAILABLE

  1. TOC Analyzer
  2. FTIR Spectrometer
  3. Spectrophotometer
  4. Microwave digestion unit
  5. Flame Photometer
  6. Penetrometer
  7. Plant canopy analyzer
  8. Seed spreader drone
  9. Fertilizer spraying drone
  10. Mapping drone
  11. Core sampler
  12. Automatic Nitrogen/Protein Analyzer
  13. Yoder apparatus
  14. Centrifuge
  15. Muffle furnace
  16. BOD incubator
  17. Water distillation unit
  18. Soil moisture meter
  19. pH meter
  20. EC meter
  21. Double ring infiltrometer
  22. Laminar flow equipment
  23. Work station
FTIR Spectrometer
FTIR Spectrometer
TOC Analyzer
TOC Analyzer
Flame Photometer
Flame Photometer
Automatic NitrogenAnalyzer
Automatic NitrogenAnalyzer
Micro Wave Digestion Unit
Micro Wave Digestion Unit
Remote Sensing and GIS Laboratory: Facilities- Digital Image Processing Software, GPS
Remote Sensing and GIS Laboratory: Facilities- Digital Image Processing Software, GPS

SALIENT ACHIEVEMENTS

  1. Ecological Restoration Efficiency...
  2. Standardization of pruning technique...
  3. Standardization of foliar micronutrient...
  4. Standardization of cutting schedule...
  5. Dominant fungal species characterized...
  6. Standardization of canopy architecture...
  7. Development of “Virtual Herbarium of IGFRI”…
  8. NUTRIGEL fertilizer developed...
  9. Developed R package for soil functionality...
  10. Developed R package – biological activity indices...
  11. Developed VegSpecIndex package...
  12. Morus-based silvipasture model...
  13. Acacia-based silvipasture model...
  14. Eco-Restoration Efficiency Index...
  15. Fruit tree-based hortipasture model...
  16. Developed GRASS Model...

Silvopasture Models Developed

S. No. Silvipasture Model Forage Yield (t DM/ha)
1 Silvipasture system for round-the-year fodder production 5–10
2 Ficus-based silvipasture system 11–12
3 Hardwickia-based silvipasture system 7–9
4 Morus-based silvipasture system 11–13
5 Acacia-based silvipasture system 9–11
6 Dichrostachys-based silvipasture system 2–4
7 Leucaena-based silvipasture system 3–4
8 Albizia lebbeck-based silvipasture system 2–3
9 Albizia procera-based silvipasture system 4–5
10 Acacia/Prosopis-based silvipasture system 3–4
11 Albizia–Leucaena-based silvipasture system 4–5
12 Bauhinia and Leucaena-based silvipasture system 5–6

Hortipasture Models Developed

S. No. Hortipasture Model Fruit Yield (t/ha) Forage Yield (t DM/ha)
1 Ber-based hortipastoral system 5–6 4–5
2 Kinnow-based hortipastoral system 6–8 5–6
3 Aonla-based hortipastoral system 10–13 5–7
4 Custard apple-based hortipastoral system 3–4 5–7
5 Guava-based hortipastoral system 10–11 5–6
6 Bael-based hortipastoral system 6–7 5–7
7 Tamarind-based hortipastoral system 7–8 5–6
8 Almond-based hortipastoral system 0.7–0.9 5–6
9 Apple-based hortipastoral system 20–25 8–10
10 Mango-based hortipastoral system 9–10 5–7
11 Coconut-based hortipastoral system 7–8 8–10

Community Pastureland Models Developed by IGFRI

Community pastureland models developed across the country using collected and conserved forage genetic resources.

Year Location Clientele
2017 Palinda, Bachawali Bujurg, Jhansi (U.P.) Dept. of Animal Husbandry, Uttar Pradesh
2018 Kalyanpura Gaushala, Lalitpur District (U.P.) Dept. of Animal Husbandry, Uttar Pradesh
2018 Sheopur (Madhya Pradesh) Madhya Pradesh State Rural Livelihoods Mission (MPSRLM)
2019 Basundhara (Odisha) Mahanadi Coalfield Ltd.
2019 Sheopur (Madhya Pradesh) MPSRLM (Consultancy Project)
2020 Jalaun, Hamirpur, Banda and Chitrakoot (U.P.) State Forest Department, Uttar Pradesh
2023 Mundra Region, Gujarat Adani Ports and SEZ Limited (Consultancy Project)
2024 Manesar, Haryana Maruti Suzuki India Limited (Consultancy Project)
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STAFF POSITION

Scientific Staff

No. Photo Scientist Designation Subject
1 Dr. A. K. Shukla Head and Principal Scientist Horticulture
2 Dr. S. N. Ram Principal Scientist Agronomy
3 Dr. Sunil Kumar Principal Scientist Horticulture
4 Dr. Amit Kumar Singh Senior Scientist Soil Science
5 Dr. Kamini Scientist Agroforestry
6 Dr. Avijit Ghosh Scientist Soil Science

Technical Staff

S. No. Photo Name Designation
1 Sh. Ram Asre Assistant Chief Technical Officer
2 Sh. Dhiraj Dhingra Senior Technical Officer
3 Sh. Sudhir Tikawadu Ramteke Technical Assistant (T-3)
4 Sh. Anand Raj Technician (T-1)

Multitasking Staff

S. No. Photo Name Designation
1 Smt. Ramvati Multi Tasking Staff
2 Sh. Gautam Multi Tasking Staff

Glimpses of Research Activities

Restoration of Degraded Lands Through Hardwickia binata, Ficus infectoria, Morus alba, Acacia nilotica and Leucaena leucocephala based Two Tier and Three Tier Silvopastures
Restoration of Degraded Lands Through Hardwickia binata, Ficus infectoria, Morus alba, Acacia nilotica and Leucaena leucocephala based Two Tier and Three Tier Silvopastures
Restoration of Degraded Lands Through Hardwickia binata, Ficus infectoria, Morus alba, Acacia nilotica and Leucaena leucocephala based Two Tier and Three Tier Silvopastures
Restoration of Degraded Lands Through Hardwickia binata, Ficus infectoria, Morus alba, Acacia nilotica and Leucaena leucocephala based Two Tier and Three Tier Silvopastures
Fruit and Forage Security Through Hortipastoral Models: Bael, Aonla, Guava based Hortipastoral model Adopted by - Farmers under NICRA, Adarsh Chara Gram, Joint Forest Management and Social Forestry Programmes, NGOs, Gaushalas etc
Fruit and Forage Security Through Hortipastoral Models: Bael, Aonla, Guava based Hortipastoral model Adopted by - Farmers under NICRA, Adarsh Chara Gram, Joint Forest Management and Social Forestry Programmes, NGOs, Gaushalas etc
Fruit and Forage Security Through Hortipastoral Models: Bael, Aonla, Guava based Hortipastoral model Adopted by - Farmers under NICRA, Adarsh Chara Gram, Joint Forest Management and Social Forestry Programmes, NGOs, Gaushalas etc
Fruit and Forage Security Through Hortipastoral Models: Bael, Aonla, Guava based Hortipastoral model Adopted by - Farmers under NICRA, Adarsh Chara Gram, Joint Forest Management and Social Forestry Programmes, NGOs, Gaushalas etc
Fruit and Forage Security Through Hortipastoral Models: Bael, Aonla, Guava based Hortipastoral model Adopted by - Farmers under NICRA, Adarsh Chara Gram, Joint Forest Management and Social Forestry Programmes, NGOs, Gaushalas etc
Fruit and Forage Security Through Hortipastoral Models: Bael, Aonla, Guava based Hortipastoral model Adopted by - Farmers under NICRA, Adarsh Chara Gram, Joint Forest Management and Social Forestry Programmes, NGOs, Gaushalas etc
Novel Fertilizer “NUTRIGEL” for Improving Water and Nutrient Use Efficiency in Degraded Lands
Novel Fertilizer “NUTRIGEL” for Improving Water and Nutrient Use Efficiency in Degraded Lands
Novel Fertilizer “NUTRIGEL” for Improving Water and Nutrient Use Efficiency in Degraded Lands
Novel Fertilizer “NUTRIGEL” for Improving Water and Nutrient Use Efficiency in Degraded Lands
Drone Based Seeding Technology for Degraded Land Restoration and Grassland Development
Drone Based Seeding Technology for Degraded Land Restoration and Grassland Development
Drone Based Seeding Technology for Degraded Land Restoration and Grassland Development
Drone Based Seeding Technology for Degraded Land Restoration and Grassland Development
Evaluation of Morus species germplasm for fodder traits
Evaluation of Morus species germplasm for fodder traits
Development and Standardization of Annual Moringa Production Technology for Fodder Security in Uttar Pradesh
Development and Standardization of Annual Moringa Production Technology for Fodder Security in Uttar Pradesh
All India Estimates of Pasture Land and Productivity
All India Estimates of Pasture Land and Productivity
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