Scientists of Amity University innovate ‘A Novel Endophyte’ for Plant Growth Promotion
Noida: To help farmers increase the production of crops organically , eminent scientists of Amity -Dr. Ajit Varma, Distinguished Scientist & Professor of Eminence, Amity Institute of Microbial Technology; Dr. Amit C Kharkwal, Dy. Director and Associate 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 Novel Endophyte for Plant Growth Promotion’.
Today, Amity University Uttar Pradesh signed NDA-MTA agreement and a MoU for this innovation with M/s Smur Agro Ventures at University Campus, sector 125 Noida.
The agreement was signed by Mr. Udayan Arya, Founder Director of M/s Smur Agro Ventures and Dr. B L Arya, Registrar, Amity University Uttar Pradesh in the presence 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 senior officials of Amity
Briefing about the innovation, Dr. Amit C. Kharkwal said that the innovation is based on microbial strain, a novel Endophyte that was isolated and when treated with seeds, are able to promote the growth of plants. The process also helps in plant protection as it confers tolerance towards insects and pest attack.
Sharing his views, Mr. Udayan Arya said that the biggest challenge faced by organic farming is the lack of awareness amongst people, who do not associate organic farming with modern scientific farming. However, now with modern farming techniques, organic farming is compatible with chemical farming. He avers, “This innovation has huge potential to help farmers increase their productivity as 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 at plantation itself”. Mr. Arya remarked that India has the potential to be the biggest producer base for organic farming and also, the biggest organic product user. The country can be a major testing ground for new organic farming techniques due to the availability all kinds of climatic conditions.
Mr. Arya called upon the educational institutions to put in efforts towards the promotion of organic food and also contribute through research partnership with industry. He suggested to introduce new courses with curriculum formulated as per industry needs.
M/s Smur Agro Ventures is a leading promoter, producer and enabler of scientific organic farming. They partner with latest organic innovators and enablers from around the world and develop scientific organic products for crops and livestock. Their products are certified as 100% organic by IOCA under NPOP programme. Smur Agro is also an International Organics Associate of The International Federation 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.