ICAR-IIOR’s Revolutionary Invention Lauded by Experts
Hyderabad: The Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (IIOR), under the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), has achieved a remarkable milestone. On Thursday, Dr. T. R. Sharma, Deputy Director General (Crop Sciences) of ICAR, and Dr. S. K. Rao, former Vice-Chancellor of RVS Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Gwalior, praised the institute for its groundbreaking innovation.
The announcement was made during the signing of agreements (MoUs) with private companies. The scientists highlighted the development of a patented biopolymer technology, which is set to transform the agricultural sector. This technology enables the delivery of multiple seed inputs, including beneficial microbes, nutrients, and safer chemicals, in a highly efficient manner.
Dr. KSVP Chandrika, scientist, and Dr. R. D. Prasad, principal scientist, were congratulated for their pivotal roles in this innovation. The invention is expected to greatly benefit farmers by lowering input costs and improving economic outcomes. It introduces crop protection and nutrient-mobilizing microbes, which can enhance crop yields by up to 30%. Additionally, it provides resilience to crops under adverse climate conditions.
Dr. R. K. Mathur, Director of IIOR, shared more details about the institute’s achievements. “We have licensed the first indigenous Bt WP technology to 50 private firms, Beauveria bassiana SC formulation to three private firms, and T. harzianum Th4d SC formulation to six companies. The institute has also been granted four patents on microbial technologies,” he said.
With the Government of India emphasizing natural and organic farming, the eco-friendly research by IIOR is expected to play a vital role in mitigating crop-related stresses. The patented polymer composition, developed by ICAR-IIOR, is a key innovation. This biopolymer forms a uniform film coat on seeds, gradually releasing active ingredients like microbial bioagents, biofertilizers, or pesticides, ensuring efficient and sustained benefits.
This innovation is not only a major step forward in agricultural technology but also a testament to the contributions of Indian scientists in addressing the challenges faced by the farming community.
