Swuyievezo Dzudo wins ‘IARI Innovative Farmer Award 2025’

February 26, 2025 13 Views No Comment

NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 26(MExN): Swuyievezo Dzudo, a 26-year-old farmer from Porba village in Phek District, Nagaland, has been awarded the “IARI Innovative Farmer Award 2025” for his development of a low-cost solar dryer. The award was presented during the Pusa Agri Fair 2025 at the ICAR-Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi.

Dr Himanshu Pathak, Director General of ICAR and Secretary of DARE, presented the award to Dzudo. The ceremony was also attended by Dr D.K. Yadava, DDG (Crop Science) at ICAR, and Dr C.H. Srinivasa Rao, Director of ICAR-IARI, a press release issued by ICAR- KVK Phek stated.

Dzudo, a postgraduate in Botany, has been actively working on agricultural and horticultural innovations under the guidance of ICAR’s Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Phek. According to Dr Sanjeev Kumar Singh, Head of ICAR-KVK Phek, Dzudo is recognized for his creativity and innovative ideas in the field of agriculture.

The solar dryer, built using waste and recycled materials such as bamboo, wood, empty beer cans, UV sheets, and solar plates, offers an affordable solution for farmers, particularly in remote areas. The design features a solar accumulator made from beer cans, wood, and acrylic sheets to enhance heat retention, making the drying process more efficient.

This innovation addresses critical challenges in post-harvest management by reducing crop wastage, improving product quality, and increasing farmers’ incomes. The successful implementation of this technology in Phek District has demonstrated its potential for broader application in rural areas across India.

The award highlights the role of such innovations in supporting India’s goal of becoming a self-reliant and technologically advanced nation by 2047. Farmer-led initiatives like Dzudo’s contribute to the modernization of Indian agriculture by providing sustainable and eco-friendly solutions. These efforts also support rural communities by enhancing agricultural productivity and food security, ultimately improving farmers’ livelihoods, the press release underscored.