MIT ADT University signed MoU with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Government of India

Pune, 09 February 2021: MIT Art, Design and Technology University’s MIT School of engineering has signed MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) for the joint research project with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Government of India, and ICAR-National Research Center for Grapes Pune India. Prof. Dr. Mangesh Karad, Executive President & vice Chanllencor, MIT-ADT University, Dr. R. G. Somkuwar, Director of ICAR-NRCG, Dr. Deependra Yadav- Senior Scientist has signed on this MoU.

Dr. Kishore Ravande, Principal MIT SoE, Dr. Rajneeshkaur Sachdeo-Dean of Engineering and Head of CSE, Dr. Rekha Sugandhi, Head of IT, Dr. Virendra Shete, Vice Principal, Dr. Sambhaji Sarode, Associate Professor, faculty members, and students of MITADT University were present for the ceremony.

MIT ADT University will act as a technology partner for the development of “Automated monitoring and advisory system for intelligent viticulture”. The duration of the project shall be four years. The objective of the project is to bring automation for identifying the diseases at the preliminary stages to take precautionary measurements and improvise the quality and productivity of grape crop by approximately 30% to 40 % higher. After completion, this product will be launched by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, the Government of India to Indian grape growers across India and will also be marketed outside India. The joint research project will cost approximately 75 lakhs, which will be equally invested by both parties.

The project principal investigators are Dr. Deependra Yadav and Dr. Sambhaji Sarode. The co-investigators of the project are Dr. Ajay Kumar Upadhyay, Dr. Sujoy Saha, Dr. R. G. Somkuwar, Dr. Rajneeshkaur Sachdeo, Dr. Rekha Sugandhi, Dr. Jyoti Malhotra, Prof. Suresh Kapare, and Prof. Sumitra Pundalik.

Dr. Rajneeshkaur Sachdeo welcomed all the guests and briefed them about the University. Dr. Rekha Sugandhi highlighted the project journey with ICAR-NRCG. Dr. Sambhaji Sarode briefed about project scope, responsibilities of team members, schedule, and market viability. Dr. Deependra Yadav talked about the roadmap and project deliverables. Dr. R. G. Somkuwar addressed the impact of this proposed project on Indian grape growers. Dr. Kishore Rawande expressed his views on the project association. Dr. Mangesh Karad sir appreciated the joint research collaboration initiative and given assurance of support, and offered best wishes to accomplish the joint innovative research project to Senior scientist of ICAR-NRCG, MIT ADT university faculty members, and students. Dr. Jyoti Malhotra proposed a vote of thanks towards the end of the program.