Hon'ble Governor of Maharashtra reviewed the NEP 2020 Implementation Status of VNMKV, Parbhani

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Indra Mani presents NEP 2020 Implementation Status & Achievements of VNMKV to Hon. Governor Shri. C.P.Radhakrishnan

 

Hon'ble Governor of Maharashtra, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, is conducting one-on-one direct interactions with Vice-Chancellors from universities across the state, including Agricultural Universities, to discuss the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. As part of this series, on September 11, 2024, Dr. Indra Mani, Vice-Chancellor of Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth (VNMKV), Parbhani delivered a detailed presentation on NEP 2020 implementation status, the strengths and challenges of the University before the Hon'ble Governor and Chancellor of the Universities, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai.

Hon’ble Governor reviewed key issues, including the adherence to the implementation of the National Education Policy, the Annual Academic Calendar, the internationalization of education, and the timely declaration of examination results.

Hon. Governor expressed satisfaction about the university’s work of land development, seed production, water management, seed to seed mechanization, climate smart crops varieties, tree / bamboo plantation and green energy initiatives. Prof. Indra Mani briefed the Hon'ble Governor on the steps being taken at VNMKV to ensure the effective implementation of NEP 2020 at the university. He presents a comprehensive report on the university's achievements in agricultural education, research, extension activities and various ongoing projects. 

Successful Brainstorming Session on Management of Non-Traditional & Key Horticultural Crops Held in Ch. Sambhajinagar

A significant brainstorming session on the "Management of Non-Traditional and Important Horticulture Crops" took place at the Fruit Research Station in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on August 31, 2024. The event, organized jointly by the Department of Horticulture, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth (VNMKV), Parbhani, and the State Department of Agriculture, Ch. Sambhajinagar, gathered key stakeholders to discuss the pressing challenges, opportunities, processing, and marketing strategies for horticultural crops in the Marathwada region.

In his presidential address, Dr. Indra Mani, Hon. Vice Chancellor of VNMKV, Parbhani, highlighted several critical challenges faced by horticulturists in the region, including water scarcity, soil degradation, and pest management. He emphasized the "Farmer First" mission as a core strategy of his tenure and outlined various developmental initiatives and reforms implemented under his leadership.

Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner, Government of India, New Delhi, who attended as the Chief Guest, discussed the latest policy developments being enforced from the farmers' perspective. He encouraged the cultivation of fruit crops with functional and therapeutic values, advising farmers to explore new opportunities in this field. Dr. Tukaram Mote, Joint Director of Agriculture, Ch. Sambhajinagar, underscored the need for enhanced infrastructure and technology to support advanced research, which in turn would improve crop yields and the quality of horticultural produce.

Horticulture Experts Dr. Prakash Patil explored the potential of high-density plantation in mango cultivation, while Dr. Dinesh Kumar advocated for diversifying crop varieties and improving market access through digital platforms. Shri Anant Jawale, former Horticulture Commissioner, Government of Maharashtra, now a farmer, shared his personal experience with date palm cultivation, emphasizing the importance of government policies in supporting horticultural development.

The session also highlighted the importance of establishing community or cluster processing units to reduce post-harvest losses and increase value-added products. Concepts like protected cultivation and vertical farming were discussed by Dr. Murtuza Hasa, while Dr. Nagpal Lohakare from APEDA, Mumbai, presented strategies for better marketing, including branding, direct-to-consumer sales, and farm registration for export through the Hortnet platform.

The conference concluded with actionable recommendations from experts like Dr. Madhukar Pordar, Dr. P.K. Singh, Dr. Prakash Tripathi, and Dr. D.M. Panchbhai, aimed at bolstering the horticultural sector in the Marathwada region, fostering sustainable practices, and improving the livelihoods of local farmers. Dr. Khizar Baig, Director of Research at VNMKV, Parbhani, delivered the preamble, while Dr. V.S. Khandare extended the vote of thanks. The event was well-attended by officers from the Department of Horticulture, College of Horticulture Parbhani, NARP, KVK, FRS, ARS Badnapur, Shri Prakash Deshmukh (SAO), students, and farmers.

Prof. Indra Mani honoured with the ‘Eminent Engineer Award’ by the Institution of Engineers (India)

Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) Indra Mani, has been honored with the "Eminent Engineer Award" by the Institution of Engineers (India) (IEI), the world’s largest multi-disciplinary professional engineering body. The award was presented by the Hon'ble Minister of Agriculture of Chhattisgarh, Shri Ramvichar Netam, during the inaugural ceremony of the 36th National Convention of Agricultural Engineers and the National Seminar on "Agricultural Engineering: A Pathway to Sustainable Development for Rural Economy," held at Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Chhattisgarh, on August 29-30, 2024.

The Institution of Engineers (India) is a prestigious national organization of engineers, established in 1920 in Kolkata, West Bengal, and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1935. With over one million members across 15 engineering disciplines, it is the world’s largest multi-disciplinary engineering professional body. The award recognizes Prof. (Dr.) Indra Mani’s outstanding contributions and achievements in the field of engineering.

Dr.Girish Chandel, Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor of Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya was chairman of the event; Dr. Sunil Kumar, Chairman of the Central Ground Water Board; Dr. Vinay Kumar Pandey, Dean of Swami Vivekanand College of Agricultural Engineering; among other prominent academics and industry leaders were grace the function. 

Brief about the contribution of Prof. Indra Mani

Prof. Indra Mani has been serving as the Vice-Chancellor of VNMKV, Parbhani (Maharashtra) since 25^th July 2022. Prior to this, Prof. Mani served as the Joint Director (Research), Coordinator of the School of Natural Resource Management, Incharge of the Centre for Protected Cultivation Technology (CPCT) and Head Division of Agricultural Engineering at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.  During an illustrious career spanning over 30 years, he made exemplary contributions in the area of machinery development for agro-residue management, dry-land agriculture, vegetable mechanization, small farm mechanization and equipment for enhancing fertilizer use efficiency. The technologies developed and upscaled by him have reached more than 19 states in the country. He is also credited to have established Design Innovation Centre in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur for developing innovative solutions. He has been coordinator of IARI’s NEH in northeastern states (all seven states), TSP (MP) and MGMG (UP, Haryana, Delhi) programme for improving the livelihood of farmers. As a faculty in agricultural engineering, he taught many courses and guided 30 Ph.D. and 12 M.Tech. students (both national & international), including CV Raman Post-Doc fellow and Netaji Subhash-ICAR International Fellow. He has published over 150 papers in peer-reviewed national and international journals. Under the guidance and leadership of Prof. Mani, the IARI Crop Residue Management team successfully conducted a record demonstration of the IARI developed Pusa decomposer over 10 lakh acres in the states of UP, Punjab and Haryana in collaboration with the industry. Prof. Mani has served in various capacities for different professional societies. He served as the President of the Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers (ISAE) (2018-21) and has contributed for the development of a strong partnership and networking with the global agricultural engineering fraternity and is instrumental in exchange of MoUs between ISAE and NSAE (Nigeria), NSAE (Nepal), MSAE (Malaysia). Currently, he is a president of the Asian Society for Agricultural Engineering (AAAE). The AAAE is a prominent organization in the agricultural engineering profession in Asia, specializing in sustainable solutions for food, water, energy, environmental, and climate systems. Prof. Mani has been at the forefront in advocating and developing different farmer centric mechanization strategies. He has been instrumental in the development of agricultural drone policy of India by serving as the convener and chairman of the committee for developing standard guidelines (SoP) for the use of drones in agriculture. Currently, he is the chairman of the drone committee responsible for developing SoP for drone-based applications of crop nutrient, including nano formulation. He was actively involved in mentoring of Incubates and Start-ups related farm technology under RKVY- RAFTAAR (MoA & FW, GoI) and ZTM&BPD (ICAR-IARI) and ARISE programme of ICAR-IARI. He was also actively involved in TIFAN (Technology Innovation Forum for Agricultural Nurturing), a platform to solve real mechanization challenges. The outstanding contributions of Prof. Mani have earned him many prestigious awards, to name the few are: ICAR - Bharat Ratna C Subramaniam Outstanding Teacher Award, ASABE Presidential Citation Award, ICFA Apollo Tyres Award, MoWR Ground Water Augmentation Award, ICAR-Jawahar Lal Nehru Award, IARI Best Teacher Award, Institution of Engineers Gold Medal, ASPEE Award, ISAE Team Award and ISAE Outstanding Book Award. Prof.Mani has been Fellow of the International Academy of Agricultural & Biosystem Engineering (iAABE), Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers (ISAE), and Institution of Engineers (India). Prof. Mani has a very wide international exposure and has been visiting faculty to different centers/institutes in USA, South East Asia, North America, Africa, Japan and Europe. He has made remarkable contributions in developing Industry - Institution – Farmers - Innovators linkage for effective delusion of technologies.

During his tenure of two years as a Vice-Chancellor of VNMKV, Parbhani, be keenly took interest in re-orientation of research programmes in all crops focusing in development of farmer’s friendly technologies and as per needs of processing industries. He has been able to attract Rs. 22.50 Cr CSR fund for the VNMKV, Parbhani. New four constituent colleges, and two research centres were recently sanctioned by the state government under VNMKV, Parbhani, owing to his continuous efforts. Under his dynamic leadership, the VNMKV bagged International Green University Award, three Best AICRP Research Centre Awards for Sunflower, Safflower and Pearl Millet and Jaivik India Awards to Organic Research & Training Centre. A total of 55 PG students and 25 faculty were trained abroad and more than 400 PG students in reputed institutes of India under NAHEP project during this period. Under his leadership, several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with various reputed national and international universities, research institutes, and private sector companies. His dynamic and innovative approach to develop “Public-Private Partnership (PPP)” policy in research, education, and extension. During this period, the university redeveloped over 2,000 acres of barren and denuded land, converting it into cultivable land, this transformation led to a doubling the breeder seed production of the university.

VNMKV & MAFSU sign MoU in the august presence of Hon'ble Union Minister Shri. Nitin Gadkari ji during inaugural function of National Conference at MAFSU, Nagpur

The national conference on "Dairying: A Tool for Livelihood, Health, and Nutrition" was held on the 17th and 18th of August at Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU), Nagpur. The conference was inaugurated by Hon'ble Shri Nitin Gadkari ji, Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Govt. of India as the Chief Guest. During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between MAFSU Nagpur and VNMKV, Parbhani in the august presence of Hon'ble Shri Nitin Gadkari. The MoU aims to strengthen collaboration in education, research, extension activities, skill development, human resource development, and fostering entrepreneurial opportunities. The MoU was signed by Dr. Indra Mani, Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor of VNMKV, Parbhani, and Dr. Nitin Patil, Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor of MAFSU, Nagpur.

Dr. Indra Mani, Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor also contributed as a panelist in the technical session of the conference.

भारत को विकसित बनाने में युवाओं की अहम भूमिका... कुलगुरू मा डॉ. इंद्र मणि

वनामकृवि मे  उत्‍साह के साथ मनाया 78 वाँ स्वतंत्रता दिवस

भारत को 2047 तक एक विकसित राष्ट्र बनाने का संकल्प लिया गया है, जिसमें युवाओं की भूमिका महत्वपूर्ण रहेगी। समृद्ध भारत, सशक्त भारत के लिए कार्य करना हम सभी की जिम्मेदारी है। भारत कई क्षेत्रों में वैश्विक स्तर पर अग्रणी है, वर्तमान युग प्रतिस्पर्धा का युग है और हमें अपने कार्य में सटीकता रखनी होगी। सभी को एकजुट होकर वसुधैव कुटुंबकम की भावना से कार्य करना आवश्यक है, ऐसा प्रतिपादन कुलगुरू माननीय डॉ. इंद्र मणि ने किया। वसंतराव नाईक मराठवाडा कृषि विश्वविद्यालय में 78वां स्वतंत्रता दिवस उत्साह के साथ मनाया गया। विश्वविद्यालय के मुख्य प्रांगण में माननीय कुलगुरू डॉ. इंद्र मणि द्वारा ध्वजारोहण किया गया। इस अवसर पर उपस्थित लोगों को संबोधित करते हुए वे बोले।

कुलगुरू माननीय डॉ. इंद्र मणि ने आगे कहा कि देश के विकास के लिए माननीय प्रधानमंत्री द्वारा दिए गए जय जवान, जय किसान, जय विज्ञान और जय अनुसंधान के सिद्धांत पर कार्य करना होगा। भारत विभिन्न अन्न, दूध, अंडे, फल, सब्जियों आदि के उत्पादन में विश्व में प्रथम या द्वितीय स्थान पर है। कृषि क्षेत्र को बढ़ावा देने के लिए इस वर्ष के बजट में पर्याप्त प्रावधान किया गया है। कृषि में जलवायु परिवर्तन की बड़ी चुनौती है, जिसके कारण कई फसलों के उत्पादन में उतार-चढ़ाव हो रहा है, जिससे किसानों के जीवन स्तर पर असर पड़ रहा है। जलवायु परिवर्तन पर आधारित शोध को विश्वविद्यालय प्राथमिकता दे रहा है, विश्वविद्यालय अत्यधिक जोश के साथ कार्य कर रहा है और नवीन क्षेत्रों में अनुसंधान कर रहा है। शिक्षा में विद्यार्थी केंद्रित शिक्षा, किसान केंद्रित विस्तार कार्य, नवाचार केंद्रित शोध और कर्मचारी केंद्रित प्रशासन के सिद्धांत पर कार्य किया जा रहा है। ज्वार और बाजरा के जैवसमृद्ध किस्मों का राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर प्रसार हुआ है। तुअर की संकरित किस्म और कपास में बीटी में तीन सीधे किस्में विकसित करने वाला राज्य का पहला विश्वविद्यालय बना है। जलवायु अनुकूल सोयाबीन की कई किस्में विकसित की गई हैं और वे किसानों में लोकप्रिय हो रही हैं। विश्वविद्यालय ने देश और विदेश के अग्रणी विश्वविद्यालयों और संस्थानों के साथ सामंजस्य समझौते किए हैं, जिससे कुशल मानव संसाधन का निर्माण होगा। विश्वविद्यालय ने बीज उत्पादन में वृद्धि का लक्ष्य रखा है और इस वर्ष विश्वविद्यालय का बीज उत्पादन 7000 क्विंटल से बढ़कर 10200 क्विंटल हो गया है, और इस वर्ष का लक्ष्य 20000 क्विंटल का है। इससे विश्वविद्यालय के विकसित उच्च गुणवत्ता वाले बीज अधिक से अधिक किसानों तक पहुँचेंगे। किसानों की भलाई और कृषि विकास के लिए समर्पण भाव से कार्य करने का संकल्प लेने का आह्वान करते हुए उन्होंने 78वें स्वतंत्रता दिवस की शुभकामनाएं दीं। 

इस अवसर पर राष्ट्रीय छात्र सैनिकों ने छात्रसेना अधिकारी डॉ. जयकुमार देशमुख के नेतृत्व में माननीय कुलगुरू को सलामी दी। कार्यक्रम में कुलसचिव डॉ. संतोष वेणीकर, शिक्षण निदेशक डॉ. उदय खोडके, अनुसंधान निदेशक डॉ. के एस बेग, माननीय विशेष अतिथि श्रीमती जया मिश्रा, डॉ. डी एस मिश्रा, श्रीमती सरिता मिश्रा, श्री राजेंद्र कपूर, श्री बलदेव सिंह, श्री प्रमोद पुरी, डॉ. अनिलकुमार पाण्डेय, श्रीमती मधु कपूर, श्रीमती मंजित कौर, श्रीमती भारती पुरी, श्रीमती मालती पाण्डेय, साथ ही छात्र कल्याण अधिकारी डॉ. पी आर झंवर, विभिन्न महाविद्यालयों के प्राचार्य, विभाग प्रमुख, प्राध्यापक, वैज्ञानिक, अधिकारी, कर्मचारी और विद्यार्थी बड़ी संख्या में उपस्थित थे। कार्यक्रम का संचालन श्री उदय वाईकर ने किया।

Interaction of Hon'ble VC with Hon'ble CM & Hon'ble Agriculture Minister

 

Maharashtra has been honored with the prestigious Best Agriculture State Award by the esteemed Agriculture Today group recognized the state's outstanding contributions to the field of agriculture. The award ceremony, held on July 10, 2024, in New Delhi. In a ceremony recognizing Maharashtra’s significant contribution to sustainable agriculture, Hon’ble CM Shri. Eknath Shinde accepted the prestigious award. The award was presented by Hon'ble Union Agriculture Minister Shri. Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The award committee chaired by Hon'ble Former Supreme Court Judge & Former Governor of Kerala Shri. P. Sathasivam, Hon'ble Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways Shri. Nitin Gadkari, President of Agriculture Today Group Dr. M.J. Khan, & State Agricultural Value Commission Chairman Pasha Patel were in dais.

After the award ceremony, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of VNMKV, Dr. Indra Mani got an opportunity to interact with Hon'ble Union Minister Shri. Nitinji Gadkari, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Eknath Shinde, Hon’ble Agriculture Minister, Shri Dhananjay Munde, and Chairman of the State MSP Committee, Shri Pasha Patel.

During the interaction, the Honorable Agriculture Minister, Shri Dhananjay Munde, praised the university's innovative initiatives, including its drone certificate course, developmental activities, and efforts in new technologies and achievements.

The Minister also briefed the Honorable Chief Minister, Shri Eknath Shinde, on the university's remarkable achievements, highlighting its commitment to excellence in agriculture. He expressed satisfaction with the university’s achievements and efforts.

Dr. Indra Mani, Vice Chancellor, also delivered a speech as a panelist during a technical session on academic-industry-government collaboration for sustainable agriculture. He emphasized that the AIG model is essential for achieving sustainable agriculture in the context of climate change. He highlighted the successful implementation of this triple helix model by VNMKV, Parbhani, noting its significance for growth.

छत्रपती संभाजीनगर येथे कृषी विज्ञान केंद्राच्‍या वतीने कृषी दिन व १०० वा शेतकरी शास्त्रज्ञ सुसंवाद कार्यक्रम संपन्‍न

दिनांक ०१ जुलै, २०२४ रोजी मा.डॉ.इंद्र मणि, कुलगुरू,वसंतराव नाईक मराठवाडा कृषी विद्यापीठ,परभणी, श्री.दिलीप स्वामी, जिल्हाधिकारी, छत्रपती संभाजीनगर, श्री.रावसाहेब भागडे, महासंचालक,एमसीएआर, पुणे, श्री.विकास मीना,सीईओ,जि.प.छत्रपती संभाजीनगर, श्री.ब्रिजेश मिश्रा,आयपीएस, डाॅ.तुकाराम मोटे, विकृससं,छत्रपती संभाजीनगर, श्री.पाथ्रीकर, माजी जि.प.अध्यक्ष, श्री.बालासाहेब तौर, प्रकल्प संचालक, आत्मा, शास्त्रज्ञ, डॉ.भगवानराव कापसे, डॉ.गिरधारी वाघमारे, डॉ.सूर्यकांत पवार, श्री प्रकाश देशमुख, जिअकृअ, श्री. प्रकाश पाटील,कृषी विकास अधिकारी, श्री.सुनील कुलकर्णी, इफको, छत्रपती संभाजीनगर आदी मान्यवरांच्या उपस्थितीत कार्यक्रम घेण्यात आला. यावेळी जिल्ह्यातील ११० शेतकरी (DFI) आणि १४ महाराष्ट्र शासनाकडुन कृषि पुरस्कार प्राप्त बंधू भगिनींचा सन्मान करण्यात आला. या वेळेस कृषि विज्ञान केंद्र, छत्रपती संभाजीनगर-१ निर्मित पौष्टिक भाजिपाला बियाणे किट आणि कृषि उद्योजक श्री व सौ लोलगे निर्मित नैसर्गिक किट (गाडुंळ खत, गाडुंळ पाणी व फुले भाजिपाला) किट विमोचन करण्यात आले. एकुण ३६२ शेतकरी बंधू भगिनी सहकुटुंब मोठ्या संख्येने उपस्थित होते.