31 Jul 2018|Noida | J-3 Block, Room No.114.
Amity signs an MoU with M/s Smur Agro Ventures
Scientists of Amity Universityinnovate ‘A Novel Endophyte’ for Plant Growth Promotion
To helpfarmers increase the production of crops organically , eminent scientists ofAmity -Dr. Ajit Varma, Distinguished Scientist & Professor of Eminence,Amity Institute of Microbial Technology; Dr. Amit C Kharkwal, Dy. Director andAssociate Professor, Amity Institute of Microbial Technology; Mr K. S. Bains,Advisor, Amity Institute of Training and Development and Mr Hemesh Joshi,Research Scientist, Amity Institute of Microbial Technology innovated ‘A NovelEndophyte for Plant Growth Promotion’.
Today, AmityUniversity Uttar Pradesh signed NDA-MTA agreement and a MoU for this innovationwith M/s Smur Agro Ventures at University Campus, sector 125 Noida.
The agreementwas signed by Mr. Udayan Arya, Founder Director of M/s Smur AgroVentures and Dr. B L Arya, Registrar, Amity University Uttar Pradesh in thepresence of Mr. Rakesh Sahni, Director at Smur Agro Ventures Pvt. Ltd; Mr.Ashish Shrivastav, Smur Agro Ventures Pvt. Ltd; Dr. Sunil Saran, Vice Chairman,Amity Science, Technology and Innovation Foundation; Dr. Lalit Bharadwaj,Director & Head ,Amity Institute of Nanotechnology and other seniorofficials of Amity
Briefing aboutthe innovation, Dr. Amit C. Kharkwal said that the innovation is basedon microbial strain, a novel Endophyte that was isolated and when treated withseeds, are able to promote the growth of plants. The process also helps inplant protection as it confers tolerance towards insects and pest attack.
Sharing hisviews, Mr. Udayan Arya said that the biggest challenge faced by organicfarming is the lack of awareness amongst people, who do not associate organicfarming with modern scientific farming. However, now with modern farmingtechniques, organic farming is compatible with chemical farming. He avers,“This innovation has huge potential to help farmers increase their productivityas well as income. Since the problem in crop commences at seed level, hence,seed yielding has to be done properly and provided with growth stimulus atplantation itself”. Mr. Arya remarked that India has the potential to be thebiggest producer base for organic farming and also, the biggest organic productuser. The country can be a major testing ground for new organic farmingtechniques due to the availability all kinds of climatic conditions.
Mr. Arya calledupon the educational institutions to put in efforts towards the promotion oforganic food and also contribute through research partnership with industry. Hesuggested to introduce new courses with curriculum formulated as per industryneeds.
M/s Smur AgroVentures is a leading promoter, producer and enabler of scientific organicfarming. They partner with latest organic innovators and enablers from aroundthe world and develop scientific organic products for crops and livestock.Their products are certified as 100% organic by IOCA under NPOP programme. SmurAgro is also an International Organics Associate of The InternationalFederation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM - Organics International)which is the worldwide umbrella organization for organic agriculture movement,which represents close to 800 affiliates in 117 countries.