The Center for Agricultural Nanotechnology at TNAU, Coimbatore, is organizing a Global Conference on Nano Connect in September 2024. The event aims to discuss current inventions and applications of nanotechnology in agriculture and allied sectors.
Coimbatore: The Center for Agricultural Nanotechnology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, a torchbearer in the country is organizing a Global Conference on Nano Connect during September 5 - 6, 2024 with an intend to take a stock of current inventions, status of multi-faceted application of nanotechnology in agriculture and allied sectors besides biosafety and regulatory framework in the country to promote nano agriculture.
The event encompasses nano-agri inputs with improved use efficiency, nano-food systems, nano-diagnostics for early detection of pests, diseases and nutrient deficiencies, nano-remediation and safety of nano-products in agri-food systems. The event is designed to deliver, discuss and update on various theme areas to take advantage of nanoproducts to sustain farm productivity while ensuring environmental safety and self-reliance in the country.
Dr. V. Geethalakshmi, Vice Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, expressed her happiness of hosting a Global Event in Nanotechnology in Agriculture. She was proud to say that the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University is the first State Agricultural University in India to establish an exclusive Center for Agricultural Nanotechnology as early as 2010 with an intend to initiate research in the cross-cutting theme areas to address the challenges in Indian Farming such as shrinking arable lands, water, exodus of people from farming, low fertilizer response ratio and experiencing the fatigue of green revolution. Nanotechnology may address some of the issues leading to the development of processes and products that facilitate farm productivity and rural livelihood.
The Nanotechnology Center in TNAU was established in 2010 with an initial investment of Rs. 12.0 crores on the state-of-the-art infrastructure facility, sophisticated equipments and human resource building. The Center generated externally funded research projects worth over Rs. 30 Crores from Global Affairs Canada, IDRC, DST Nano mission, ICAR, SERB besides private industries like IFFCO and Coromandel. This helped us to develop more than 10 nano-enabled technologies, 2 patents awarded and more than 100 high impact factor publications. Besides the development of processes, products, patents, publications and promoting public perception in nanotechnology, TNAU played a pivotal role in policy decisions at the national level to orchestrate DBT regulatory guidelines for the use of nano-agri inputs and food products in the country in 2020 that facilitated the notification of Nano-fertilizers in the country.
Dr. S.K. Chaudhari, Deputy Director General (NRM) of ICAR, New Delhi, Chief Guest of the event congratulated the TNAU and Organizing Secretary for putting pieces of innovations in agricultural nanotechnology and made as a colourful global event. As a soil scientist, I am deeply honoured and delighted to offer the inaugural address. TNAU is known for initiating new areas of research one such niche area of excellence is “Agricultural Nanotechnology”. TNAU played a pivotal role in articulating educational programs in agricultural nanotechnology, developing more than ten technologies, scientifically validating commercial nano-products, facilitating the policy framework that helped to evaluate nano products. The first nano fertilizer was introduced in 2021 and in the past three years several nano-fertilizer products have been notified. Industries bestowed interest to august production and supply of nano-fertilizers. I am sure in the years to come, there will be tangible saving of fertilizers. Many herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, biostimulants and other products are being developed using nano systems that may substantially reduce the use of chemical pesticides while ensuring environmental safety.
Dr. Tamizh Vendan, Registrar, TNAU, Dr. K.S. Subramanian, Scientific Advisor to Coromandel International Limited, Hyderabad and Dr. A. Velmurugan, Asst. Director General (SWM), ICAR, New Delhi, offered felicitations. Dr. P. Balasubramaniam, Director (NRM) welcomed the gathering and Dr. V. Gomathi, Prof. & Head, Center for Agricultural Nanotechnology, proposed a formal vote of thanks. Lead speakers from USA, Canada, Australia and UK delivered their lectures online. The recommendations emanated from the knowledge sharing event will help to strengthen the agricultural nanotechnology research framework in the country. The Organizing Secretary thanked the fund providers to conduct the event in a fitting manner.