Newsletter Preview
On-Farm Experimentation Community Info No. 41
Oct 6, 2025
Co-editor of Oct. 2025
Thanks to my co-editor of the month, Dr Prabhu Govindasamy, Senior scientist (Agronomy) at the ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB), Tamil Nadu (India)
Upcoming event: International Farming Systems Association Symposium
The 16th International Farming Systems Association (IFSA) Symposium will take place in Montpellier, France, from June 29 - July 3 2026. With themes ranging from transformative change to capacity development and food system resilience, the symposium is a global hub for exchanging ideas on farmer–researcher collaboration. For the OFE community, it’s a key opportunity to share and learn how on-farm experimentation contributes to navigating crises, trade-offs, and sustainable transitions in agriculture. Abstract submission is open until Oct. 15th.
Farmer FIRST in India: From Fodder on Bunds to Wider OFE
Indian Council of Agricutural Research’s (ICAR) Farmer FIRST Programme (FFP) puts farmers at the center of research, partnering with scientists to test and adapt technologies on their own fields. One example is the “fodder on bunds” innovation, where farmers grow hybrid grass on unused field edges to secure livestock feed, improve soils, and shield crops from heatwaves. Across Telangana and beyond, FFP is institutionalizing this kind of farmer-led experimentation, showing how OFE can deliver practical, sustainable solutions. Read more here.
Banana Farmers Put Smart Irrigation to the Test
In India, banana growers are partnering with scientists to trial IoT-enabled soil moisture sensors. On-farm experiments show savings of up to 26% water and 50% fertilizer, with higher profits. By hosting trials and sharing feedback, farmers are shaping digital tools and demonstrating how OFE turns research into real-world solutions. Read more here.
On-Farm Research with Nano Urea in Linseed
At Raichur, scientists tested nitrogen levels and nano urea sprays in linseed, finding that combining the recommended dose with two sprays delivered the best yields and returns. Farmers are increasingly open to hosting such trials on their own fields, which creates an opportunity for two-way collaboration—scientists not only testing their ideas in real farm conditions, but also supporting farmers in designing and interpreting their own experiments. Read more here.
Farmer-Led Innovation: From Grassroots to Research Partnerships
Across India, farmers are driving innovation by testing low-cost, eco-friendly solutions tailored to their own conditions. These homegrown experiments often spread quickly among peers and strengthen local resilience. Scientists and extension workers play a supportive role—recognizing, validating, and helping scale farmer-led ideas. Through OFE, this collaboration ensures that grassroots creativity is backed by scientific support, making agricultural innovation both practical and widely adoptable. Read more here.
This letter was prepared by Louis Longchamps, co-chair of the ISPA OFE Community
Should you have something to share with the Community or the Community leaders, let us know here.