International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Regional Director Anindya Chatterjee on Thursday suggested to explore some focus areas of nano-tech futuristics research to suit small and marginal farmers.

Inaugurating a two-day national seminar on Nano Agri 2017 Nanotechnology for Evergreen Revolution at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Chatterjee said that Canada and India has joint collaboration in many research projects.

“Considering the plight of small and marginal farmers, there should be some focus areas of nano-tech futuristic research to suit them,” he said, adding that collaboration with Nano Technology Department of the University is of great importance.

In his presidential address, University Vice-Chancellor Dr. K. Ramasamy, stressed the importance of Nanotechnology and spoke about incorporation of nanotechnology to increase the photo synthetic efficiency in plants, usage carbon nano particles for fertilizers, pesticides and other allied agriculture inputs Using of nano sensors will help for early detection of plant stress, pest and disease damage for efficient crop management, he pointed out.

Stating that Department of Nano Science and Technology was started six years ago, with the initial research funding of Rs. one crore, he said that now it was running with Rs.20 crores of funding.

The Seminar is jointly organised by Global Affairs Canada, IDRC, Delhi and Sun Agro Biotech Research Center, Chennai in order to take stock of what has been done in India and to develop strategies to improve the productivity of crops utilizing nanotechnology for agriculture.

“TNAU is one of the early birds in introducing nanotechnology in agricultural sciences with an intention to derive solutions to unresolved field problems in crop husbandry,” Ramasamy said.