Aligning Agricultural Research and Extension for Sustainable Development Goals in India: A Case of Farmer FIRST Programme

Agricultural development and farmers’ welfare occupy a central place in the goals of India. Various pathways which have evolved over years been implemented country to propel agricultural growth by shifting its focus from achieving food sufficiency sustainable income inclusive growth. The Farmer FIRST Programme (FFP), an innovative frontline extension program Indian Council Research (ICAR), was launched 2016 enhance reach effectiveness research with multi-stakeholder approach. This paper evaluates outcomes FFP ICAR institutions for upscaling those promising technologies, resulted significant impact on farming community. criteria chosen assessing are farm income, cropping intensity, use chemical fertilizers, pesticides, organic manure, nutritional security. data were collected 50 FFP-implementing period 2016–2021 grouped into six different zones. results revealed that there is increase security, saving pesticides through this program. measured using cereal equivalent quantity (CEQ), showed considerable average consumption all Overall, interventions significantly higher security farmholds compared control. recorded favorable scaling up institutionalizing approach at national level. study recommends participatory mode interdisciplinary effective scaling-up across landscape