Nanotech to transform farm sector: OUAT Vice-Chancellor

Tirupati: Pawan Kumar Agarwal, the Vice-Chancellor of the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), said nanotechnology will bring revolutionary change in the agriculture sector.

As a chief guest, the OUAT V-C inaugurated two-day national seminar on 'Nano challenges-opportunities' in agriculture at Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) here on Thursday.

Agarwal stated use of nanotechnology in farm field is in research stage and will be implemented soon. Agarwal explained the benefits of using nanoparticles in pesticides and chemical fertilisers. He opined that farmers will get more crop yield with less expenditure by using nanotechnology methods. Later, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University Vice-Chancellor (V-C) Y Haribabu has mentioned that use of nanotechnology in cattle treatment is in preliminary stage. He hoped nanotechnology will play a crucial role in animal biotechnology, dairy technology and farm sectors.

ANGRAU Director (Research) Prof NV Naidu called upon the scientists to use the nanotechnology extensively in agricultural research for better results. He informed the gathering spraying of chemical fertilisers and pesticides in farm fields is very easy by using nanotechnology.

On the occasion, he explained the nanotechnology research in groundnut crop through PowerPoint presentation. He said scientists can make bioethanol easily by using nanotechnology. NABARD chief scientist Prasanth Babu, RARS Associate Director Rajasekhar, Prof Ramakrishna Rao and others have participated.