His Excellency the Governor and Chancellor of State Universities in Tamil Nadu Thiru R.N.Ravi during his recent visit (02.11.2023 Thursday) to Alagappa University saw the agriculture based products developed by the researchers here under the scheme of RUSA Phase 2.0 EIR. He asked the Dean Faculty of Science to display the products at the Agri Scientists, FPO and Agri Entrepreneurs Expo to be held on 04.11.2023, Saturday at the Raj Bhavan, Guindy, Chennai. Under the direction of Prof. G. Ravi, Vice-Chancellor, Alagappa University, Prof.J.Jeyakanthan, Dean, Faculty of Science, coordinated the research team for participating in the Expo. Principal Investigators Dr. K. Pandima Devi, Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Dr.T.Kavitha, Department of Microbiology and Dr.N.Suganthy, Department of Nanoscience and Technology and Research Scholars Mrs. Kiruthiga Chandramohan, Mr.V.Manivinoth, Mr.N.Prakashkumar displayed the agriculture related research products such as Biowaste derived Nano-fertilizer, Biochar based bio-inoculants, Eco-friendly herbal pesticides developed by them at the Agri Scientists, FPO and Agri Entrepreneurs Expo Stall at Bharathiar Mandapam at the Raj Bhavan, Chennai.

His Excellency the Governor, along with Agricultural Scientists and Agri Based Entrepreneurs visited the stall and motivated the research team to take the products from lab to land for the benefits of the farming community. Conventional synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides endanger human health and aquatic microorganisms by disrupting the soil microbiome and beneficial insects which are crucial for maintaining the eco-system. To address the above problems, researchers worldwide are focusing on alternative approaches for sustainable agriculture. In this regard, RUSA Phase 2.0/ EIR Hub, Alagappa University provided financial assistance to the research team for the development of eco-friendly, biodegradable, cost-effective, Bio-stimulants to improve the crop productivity, which were displayed in the Expo.

Entrepreneurs from various agriculture-based start-up companies visited the Alagappa University Stall and interacted with the research team and showed keen interest in commercialising the products developed by the team. The products developed by the Alagappa University Research team have significant potential for cost efficient and sustainable agriculture.