Overview:

Agriculture and allied programs at Centurion University focus on smart agricultural processes and Industry 4.0, where students gain competency on all the underlying aspects of ‘Farm to Fork’. The university has experiential learning units where students get a full exposure on AR/VR, Paddy Predict and Kalgudi app-based rice health monitoring and nutrient optimization. UAV-based soil and crop health monitoring and management, hyperspectral and multispectral image capturing and processing are some of the initiatives taken by the university for smart farming. Some other key areas are hydroponics, aeroponics and vertical farming, micropropagation of G9 banana and bamboo through plant tissue culture, bacterial, fungal and plant genome sequencing using Nanopore sequencer, production of bio-control agents like Trichoderma, Pseudomonas and Trichogramma, organic farming, growing of flowers via the IOT-based automated polyhouse, and production and marketing of hybrid seeds with the aim of building entrepreneurship. Unlike other institutes, students get hands-on practice and skill in designing (3D models of machine components and their simulation using Dassault tools like CATIA and SOLIDWORKS), operating farm machineries including tractor-mounted combine harvesters and food processing equipment (Microwave Assisted Extraction and IR dryer), drone piloting, and using soft tools like ArcGIS, SWAT and HEC-RAS in water management. In the food processing domain, students gain insight into hot air drying, freeze-drying, extraction of essential oils (SC-CO2 extraction), value-added food and wine preparation. Students also learn statistical analysis of hydrological data, R-programming and Geo-spatial application in watershed management using ArcGIS software and IoT based water management.

M S Swaminathan School of Agriculture is committed to Sustainable Development Goals focusing on No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health and well-being, Quality Education, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action, Life on Land and Partnership for Goals. The School provides training and conducts research in food production and technological advances leading to progress in agriculture. To this end the school commercially produces low glycemic index rice and hybrid maize seeds. Agriculture is the mainstay of rural populations and doubling farmers’ incomes through diversification and application of advanced technologies for the same is its motto. The School regularly conducts Krishi melas (Farmers Fairs) in different districts to generate awareness amongst farmers about smart agriculture practices, the use of drones in spraying fertilizers and pesticides which they have in turn adopted as it reduces the labour cost and drudgery. Further, it trains farmers in various skills such as organic farming, mushroom farming, vermi composting, dairy technology and supports them in the establishment of small enterprises to supplement farm income. The school collaborates with engineers to automate polyhouses and demonstrate the same for the propagation of exotic flowers and vegetables.