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HomePosts Tagged "Ludhiana"
Agrotech, Farm Mechanisation, India, Machinery - Pre-harvesting, Machinery – Post-harvesting

Designed for small and marginal farmers, the developed technologies feature low vibration, easy maintenance, women-friendly ergonomics, and zero emissions, delivering long-term economic and environmental benefits.

In a significant stride towards promoting sustainable and energy-efficient solutions in agriculture, the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research – Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, Durgapur, West Bengal (CSIR-CMERI), unveiled its E-Tractor and E-Tiller technology at Ludhiana. This initiative marks a crucial milestone in India’s clean energy movement, focusing on transforming agriculture through innovation and sustainability.

Prof. Adarsh Pal Vij, Chairman, Punjab Pollution Control Board, graced the event as the Chief Guest, along with Dr Nachiket Kotwaliwale, Director, ICAR-CIPHET, Ludhiana, and Dr Manjeet Singh, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, as the Dr Naresh Chandra Murmu, Director, CSIR-CMERI, hosted the event.

Originally flagged off by Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Govt. of India, from Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, the Ludhiana stop via Jammu and Palampur marks a major highlight at the CSIR – CMERI Centre of Excellence for Farm Machinery (CSIR – CMERI CoEFM), reaffirming India’s commitment to green energy and sustainable agriculture.

Speaking during the event, Chief Guest Prof. Adarsh Pal Vij, Chairman, Punjab Pollution Control Board, said, “I am happy to be part of this agricultural revolution that is opening new avenues for farmers to connect with industry and adopt modern, sustainable practices. As we look to the future, embracing sustainability is essential, and electric vehicles mark a significant step in reducing air pollution and transforming agricultural operations. With technological advancements happening every day, it becomes our collective responsibility to ensure their optimum use. Unscientific disposal of batteries must be avoided, and proper knowledge is crucial for safe waste management. While our scientists are working on effective disposal methods, collaborative action from all stakeholders is equally important to ensure long-term environmental well-being.”

At the core of the event, are the E-Tractor, CSIR PRIMA ET11, and E-Tiller, cutting-edge electric farming solutions developed by CSIR-CMERI. Designed for small and marginal farmers, the developed technologies feature low vibration, easy maintenance, women-friendly ergonomics, and zero emissions, delivering long-term economic and environmental benefits.

These innovations are designed to revolutionise traditional agricultural practices by integrating eco-friendly, cost-effective, and high-performance electric vehicle (EV) technology. This aligns with the Government of India’s broader vision of achieving self-reliance in green technologies and advancing renewable energy goals.

Speaking at the Ludhiana event, Dr Naresh Chandra Murmu, Director, CSIR-CMERI, emphasised the transformative potential of these electric machines, presenting them as viable alternatives to traditional diesel-powered tractors. He said, “The E-Tractor and E-Tiller represent a significant leap towards sustainable agriculture and the broader electrification of conventional farm technologies. These electric machines are not only environmentally friendly but are also engineered to match the capabilities of traditional diesel-powered tractors. Our aim is not just to showcase innovation but to drive a shift toward cleaner, cost-effective, and high-performance solutions that support farmers and promote sustainable agricultural practices across the country.”

During his address, Dr Nachiket Kotwaliwale, Director, ICAR-CIPHET, Ludhiana, stated, “The technologies developed by CSIR-CMERI hold great promise for transforming Indian agriculture. We encourage feedback from farmers and industry to help our scientists develop innovations that are practical and impactful, as they are committed to supporting and working with you every step of the way.”

Speaking during the event, Dr. Manjeet Singh, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering, Punjab Agricultural Engineering, Ludhiana, said, “Innovations like electric farm machinery are reshaping the future of agriculture with cleaner, smarter solutions. It is essential that we pair these advancements with awareness and responsibility to ensure their long-term impact and sustainability.”

Designed for small and marginal farmers, the

Agro Universities, Agrotech, Finance, Funding, India

Technologies such as sensor-based irrigation, automated weather stations, drone applications, and machine learning-based decision support systems will be showcased on the new demo farm.

Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, has secured a grant of Rs 1.25 crore from Punjab & Sind Bank (PSB) under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of a ‘Digital Technology Park’ was signed in the presence of Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, PAU Vice-Chancellor, and Swarup Kumar Saha, MD and CEO of PSB. The initiative under the project titled “Futuristic Farming: Demonstrating Cutting-Edge Agri-Techniques for Resource Conservation,” is a major step forward in advancing agricultural practices through innovation.

Discussing PAU’s evolution, Dr S.S. Gosal emphasized the university’s regional impact. About the pact, he affirmed, “This initiative marks a significant step in our mission to boost agricultural productivity and sustainability. By integrating precision farming technologies, we aim to conserve essential resources and reduce environmental impacts. Our collaboration with Punjab & Sind Bank reflects the importance of public-private partnerships in advancing agriculture.” Technologies such as sensor-based irrigation, automated weather stations, drone applications, and machine learning-based decision support systems will be showcased on the new demo farm, he added.

S.K. Saha lauded Punjab Agricultural University for shaping the nation’s agricultural landscape and inspiring farmers to embrace technology-driven innovations. He expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, noting that it mirrors Punjab & Sind Bank’s commitment to sustainable agricultural development. Saha emphasized that the bank’s investment aims to enhance both farmers’ welfare and environmental conservation. He believed the innovative techniques being implemented would set a new standard for agriculture in India and beyond. Mr. Chaman Lal Shienhmar, PSB’s Field General Manager, Chandigarh, called the initiative a way of giving back to the region’s farmers.

Dr. S.S. Chahal and Dr. N.S. Malhi commended the innovative project, mentioning that it would align agricultural education with the National Education Policy (NEP 2020). They remarked that the project’s comprehensive approach and advanced technologies would create a paradigm shift in agricultural practices. Dr. M.I.S. Gill, PAU Registrar, observed that integrating cutting-edge technologies in farming goes beyond immediate benefits. He opined that the project would serve as a model for other regions facing similar challenges, demonstrating the potential of technology to transform agriculture sustainably.

Dr Ajmer Singh Brar, the PAU scientist who prepared the proposal, spotlighted the practical benefits of these technologies. A decision support system integrating machine learning algorithms will further enhance the project’s impact. The data and recommendations regarding sensor-based automated irrigation will be accessible to farmers through a cloud-based application, empowering them to make informed choices and improve productivity.

The collaboration between PAU and PSB signifies a shared vision of a sustainable and prosperous agricultural future. The event was coordinated by Dr Vishal Bector, Associate Director (Institution Relations), PAU.

Technologies such as sensor-based irrigation, automated weather

AgroPolicy, India, R&D

The agreement will pave the way for the training and dissertation of the university students, collaborative research projects

ICAR – Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology, Ludhiana, and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa entered into an agreement to collaborate in the area of Academics, Research, and Outreach.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Dr Nachiket Kotwaliwale, Director, ICAR – CIPHET, Ludhiana, and Dr Ambarish Kumar, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering in a ceremony held at RPCAU, Pusa.

The agreement will pave the way for the training and dissertation of the university students, collaborative research projects, and exchange of experts in various outreach programs conducted by both institutions in areas of food processing and other frontiers of mutual interest.

The function was chaired by Dr PS Pandey, Vice Chancellor, RPCAU, Pusa. All the Deans and Directors of the university along with some senior faculty were also present on this occasion.

The agreement will pave the way for

Agro Universities, Agrotech, India, R&D

An agreement to collaborate work on a contract research project entitled ‘Development of AI-enabled machine vision based grain analyser’

ICAR – Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology, Ludhiana and Osaw Industrial Products Pvt. Ltd. (INDOSAW), Ambala entered into an agreement to collaborate work on a contract research project entitled ‘Development of AI-enabled machine vision based grain analyser’.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Dr Nachiket Kotwaliwale, Director, ICAR – CIPHET, Ludhiana and Dr Ajay Sagar, Managing Director, INDOSAW, Ambala in a ceremony held at INDOSAW, Ambala.

The program was facilitated by Manisha Sagar, Dr Vinod Kalbande and Vijay from INDOSAW, Ambala and Dr Ranjeet Singh and Dr Dhritiman Saha from ICAR-CIPHET, Ludhiana.

An agreement to collaborate work on a

Agro Universities, Agrotech, India, R&D, Supply Chain, Warehousing

The lab will conduct research on strategies for pest management in storage of agricultural and allied commodities.

In recent past, insects’ infestation in stored food grains and processed products became more serious. Pests are affecting at various stages like production, processing, marketing and storage at farm, processor, export/ import level. During the occasion of 25th Research Advisory Committee meeting of ICAR-CIPHET, Ludhiana, a state-of-art facility was inaugurated in the institute as “Storage-Pests Management Laboratory”. The lab is equipped with scientific equipment for conducting research in storage entomology. This lab will conduct research on strategies for pest management in storage of agricultural and allied commodities. ICAR-CIPHET being a nodal institute working in the area of post-harvest mechanization, processing and value addition, the addition of this lab facilities will add to its charm.

 Dr D. C. Joshi, Vice-Chancellor, Agricultural University, Kota & Chairman of RAC inaugurated the lab. During the occasion other RAC members Dr R Viswanathan, Former Professor and Head, TNAU, Coimbatore & Dr Meenakshi Singh, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR, New Delhi were present. Dr Nachiket Kotwaliwale, Director, ICAR-CIPHET, Ludhiana appreciated the efforts of scientists Dr Manju Bala, Dr Guru P. N. and other staff for setting up this unique lab and taking the institute to the next level in post-harvest management research.

The lab will conduct research on strategies

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agrotech, Company News, Foodgrains, India, Sustainability

Activities to be also undertaken in the states of Andhra and Telangana

India’s leading Agri-drone manufacturer IoTechWorld Avigation and Agro-chemical major Syngenta India have jointly developed a sustainable DaaS business model and will launch the commercial spraying services across 4 major states – Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, and Haryana In the next season of Kharif & Rabi.

IoTechWorld & Syngenta have already conducted the drone Yatra in 13 states and demonstrated the benefits of agriculture drones to more than 1 lakh farmers in a 17,000 km yatra.

Already, a joint pilot activity using actual agrochemicals has been successfully conducted in Ludhiana, Punjab wherein farmers and agri-entrepreneurs were briefed about the benefits of using drone technology in spraying agrochemicals. 

Providing details about the plan, Co-Founders of IoTechWorld Deepak Bhardwaj & Anoop Upadhyay said, “We have joined hands with Syngenta India to facilitate drone spraying across India. We did a pilot in the state of Punjab and the response has been very encouraging. As a next step, both companies jointly plan to amplify the activities in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh & West Bengal. The idea is to highlight the benefits of spraying using drones to farmers and other stakeholders.”

“Our association is unique in many ways. While our product Agribot is India’s first DGCA-type certified company, Syngenta is the first private company to get approval from the Central Insecticides Board, Government of India to use drones for spraying its Crop Protection products in crops like Paddy, Wheat, Sugarcane, Potato, Hot pepper etc. It is thus natural for consumers including farmers and agri-entrepreneurs to have faith in our joint initiatives,” both co-founders added.  

Providing details on the business model, Saurabh Srivastava, General Manager – Sales of IoTechWorld Avigation, & Mahantesh Chulaki – Lead Operations, Syngenta India, said, the idea of this sustainable cluster-based DaaS business model is liked by many agritech & startups firms as it gives the surety of YOY spray demand from Syngenta which mitigate the risk of capital investment of drone service provider. Even financial institutions like SBI who are providing the capital loan up to 2Cr through the AIF scheme of GOI, are also very confident to disburse the loan as their risk is mitigated through assured business demand offered by Syngenta.

Activities to be also undertaken in the

Agrotech, Climate, Environment, India, R&D, Sustainability

The company’s Biochar Initiative continues to benefit local farmers while improving air and soil quality

PepsiCo India has extended its Biochar Initiative, a pilot crop residue management program, to the Fatehgarh Sahib and Ludhiana districts of Punjab as a potential solution to address the pressing issue of stubble burning in the northern states of India. This initiative will continue to work with more farmers in Punjab to better manage harvest residue by using furnaces known as retort kilns to produce biochar fertiliser through a process called pyrolysis.

According to Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), stubble burning in Punjab released 6.8 million tonnes of greenhouse gases and particulate matter between September 15 and November 2, 2022. Biochar production and usage have the potential to reduce GHG emissions significantly compared to other forms of disposal such as heaping while improving soil health and water retention.

PepsiCo India’s Biochar Initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). Through these efforts, the company also aims to improve the per-hectare crop yields for small and marginal farmers while contributing to global efforts to mitigate climate change.

Speaking about the initiative, Anukool Joshi, Director – Agro at PepsiCo India said, “Enhancing soil function and health using biochar can increase agricultural output and reduce expenses related to nutrient and environmental effects. In comparison to other crop residue management options, our preliminary data has shown increased net benefit to the farmers through the adoption of biochar.”

Today, PepsiCo in India works directly and indirectly with over 27,000 farmers across 14 states, sourcing 100 per cent of the potatoes for its Lay’s brand in India from Indian farmers.

Naginder Singh, an owner of the farm where PepsiCo India commissioned the first retort kiln, highlights the benefits he sees from adopting biochar: “PepsiCo India helped us to set up furnaces to produce biochar. After the biochar is prepared, we spread it into the fields that are ready for cultivation. I would recommend biochar to all farmers. Using it helps our soil and saves our environment from further pollution while reducing the use of chemical fertilisers”.

The company’s Biochar Initiative continues to benefit

Agro Universities, Agrotech

The project is for duration of three years

The Department of Vegetable Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, has been awarded a project entitled ‘Molecular mapping and transfer of Jassid resistance in okra‘ by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. The three-year project will be undertaken in collaboration with the School of Agricultural Biotechnology, PAU, Ludhiana. Dr Mamta Pathak, Principal Olericulturist, Department of Vegetable Science and Dr Navraj Kaur, Principal Biotechnologist, School of Agricultural Biotechnology will lead the project along with Dr Parveen Chhuneja, Dr Deepak Singla and Dr Harpal Singh Bhullar. Dr Tarsem Singh Dhillon, Head, the Department of Vegetable Science and Dr Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director of Research, PAU, Ludhiana, congratulated the scientists for their achievement.

The project is for duration of three

Agro Universities, Agrotech, Seeds

The two firms are Dhanjal Agriculture Industries, Ludhiana and Punjab Engineering Works, Ferozepur, Punjab

A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on tractor operated PAU Smart Seeder was signed between Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and two firms namely Dhanjal Agriculture Industries (regd.) Ludhiana and Punjab Engineering Works (regd.), Ferozepur, Punjab.

Dr Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director of Research; Dr Ashok Kumar, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology and Director of Extension Education; Dr Gursahib Singh Manes, Additional Director of Research (Farm Mechanization and Bioenergy) congratulated Dr Rajesh Goyal, Scientist and Dr Manpreet Singh, Extension Scientist, for the commercialisation of the technology.

The Head of the Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, Dr Mahesh Kumar Narang said that this machine will help in managing paddy straw management as it has advantages of Super Seeder and Happy Seeder technology.

“PAU Smart Seeder manages the paddy residues by incorporation and surface mulching and thus, smartly retains the benefits of both Happy Seeder and Super Seeder in a single machine. PAU Smart Seeder places wheat seeds in a well-tilled narrow band of soil and covers the seed rows with soil, using furrow closing rollers. This machine can be operated with 45 to 50 hp tractor. The field capacity and fuel consumption of the machine is 0.4 ha/hour and 5.5 litre/acre, respectively,” he added.

In 2021, PAU in collaboration with its industry partners worked to stop paddy straw burning under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project initiatives and large-scale demonstrations/popularization of Smart Seeder were conducted on around 200 ha of area.

Dr Usha Nara, Plant Breeder, Technology Marketing and IPR cell, PAU informed that the university has signed 285 MoAs to date with different companies/firms/individuals. She also said that seven MoAs have been signed for this technology.

The two firms are Dhanjal Agriculture Industries,