Research Projects

Sustainable intensification and crop diversification are crucial for global food security amidst climate change. Millets are being recommended as a viable option for crop diversification, improving food security and enhancing climate resilience in agriculture. The UN declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets, highlighting the need for research on millets and their cropping systems. The proposed project aims to improve millet production in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand by using digital technologies like unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and satellite remote sensing. The objectives include quantifying indicators of millet crop growth, generating millet yield maps, and identifying sources of yield variability. At least two farmers' fields will be identified in Tehri and Pauri Garhwal districts of Uttarakhand, where intensive ground-based measurements and UAV images will be captured during two growing seasons. The collected data will be used to develop statistical models to estimate millet developmental stages and quantify growth indicators. Different spectral and structural indices and weather data will be used to model yields and generate high-resolution yield maps. The sources of yield variability, such as water stress, heat stress, and nutrient stress, will be identified to recommend strategies for yield enhancement. The statistical models generated from the project will be used to develop tools for providing frequent information about crop growth using satellite data, helping farmers and policymakers make informed decisions. These models can be integrated into agrometeorological advisory services, crop insurance assessment, and agricultural trade planning.