Latest news with #A.Pouchepparadjou
The Hindu
18-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
New farmers' training hall inaugurated at PAJANCOA & RI, Karaikal
A new Farmers' Training Hall was inaugurated at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture and Research Institute (PAJANCOA & RI), Karaikal, on Wednesday. The facility was constructed with support from the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) component of ICAR–Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR), Hyderabad. The training hall is expected to boost the institute's extension education efforts and strengthen ties with the farming community. Addressing faculty and final-year students during the inauguration, A. Pouchepparadjou, Dean of PAJANCOA & RI, thanked R.M. Sundaram, Director of ICAR-IIRR for his continued support in strengthening the institute's infrastructure and academic linkages. N. Swaminathan, Professor of Agricultural Economics, R. Mohan, Professor and in-charge of the Engineering Cell, urged students to make full use of the new facility.
The Hindu
15-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Karaikal agri institute plans to offer soil health testing to local farmers
The Puducherry Agricultural College and Research Institute (PAJANCOA & RI) in Karaikal plans to extend the use of its advanced Microwave Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometer (MP-AES) to local farmers, enabling them to make informed decisions based on accurate soil health analysis. The ₹43.5 lakh MP-AES machine, inaugurated in August 2023, is being used by students to assess nutrient levels in soil, food, crops, and fertilizers. The institution now plans to allow nearby farmers to access this facility and gain scientific insights into their soil conditions. 'We have the most advanced equipment of this kind in the Puducherry Union Territory. Even nearby districts such as Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur lack such infrastructure,' said Dean A. Pouchepparadjou. 'Our students benefit from it already, and we now plan to help local farmers analyse their soil for better crop outcomes.' K. Coumaravel, Associate Professor of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, said misuse or overuse of fertilisers has contributed to ongoing soil degradation. 'Most farmers rely on informal advice. Scientific testing is crucial,' he said. The MP-AES identifies key micronutrients such as zinc, copper, manganese, and iron. 'By detecting what is deficient or in excess, farmers can adopt targeted nutrient management practices,' Dr. Coumaravel added. He emphasised that routine soil testing before cultivation can improve yields and promote sustainable farming.
The Hindu
07-05-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Agriculture and research institute bags seven awards
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture and Research Institute (PAJANCOA & RI), Karaikal, has bagged seven awards, including Best Research Institute Award, of the Indian Institute of Rice Research (ICAR-IIRR), Hyderabad. Each year, the ICAR-IIRR national awards are given in recognition of excellence across various domains of rice research including methodology, scientific innovation, and impactful outcomes. PAJANCOA & RI, was selected for the Best Research Institute Award, and the award was presented to A. Pouchepparadjou, Dean of PAJANCOA & RI, by D. K. Yadav, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR, New Delhi, and R. M. Sundaram, Director of ICAR-IIRR, during the diamond jubilee Annual Rice Group Meeting held at Hyderabad recently. The institution also earned recognition for excellence in Agronomy, Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Plant Breeding and Genetics, Agricultural Entomology, and Crop Physiology. S. Thirumeni, Professor, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his exceptional contributions to the field of rice research, according to a press release from PAJANCOA & RI. Dr. Pouchepparadjou commended the hard work and dedication of the faculty, scientists, and students of the institution and their sustained commitment to impactful, farmer-centric agricultural research. He also highlighted the institute's collaborative efforts with ICAR-IIRR under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), through which extensive rice research and outreach programmes were being implemented. The initiatives offered technological support and vital inputs to farmers—particularly from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities. To date, over 1,000 farmers from Puducherry, Karaikal, Yanam, and Tamil Nadu had directly benefited from the programmes, he said. He urged farmers to make the best use of the institute's support to improve productivity and increase their farm income.
