Latest news with #Akola
Time of India
01-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
PDKV's 11 crop varieties, 9 agricultural tools, 69 crop production tech given nod
Nagpur: Scientists from Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV), Akola, maintained their dominance in the highly significant three-day 53rd joint agricultural research and development committee meeting held from May 29 to 31 at Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Agricultural University, Parbhani. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Through technical sessions, research presentations, and in-depth discussions, they secured final approval for improved and promising new crop varieties, time and labour-saving advanced tools and innovative machinery, and useful agricultural technology recommendations. These advancements are crucial for Maharashtra's agricultural sector and farmers, aimed at increasing crop yields, introducing improved varieties, and enhancing production through innovative technologies. In this important meeting, 25 crop varieties, 18 tools and machinery, and 225 useful crop production technology recommendations from all four agricultural universities in the state were approved. Of these, PDKV contributed 11 crop varieties, 9 tools and machinery, and 69 crop production technology recommendations. These research outcomes will be made available for implementation starting this season. Under the guidance of the PDKV VC Sharad Gadakh and the leadership of research director Vilas Kharche, the university's scientists worked tirelessly to contribute to sustainable agriculture and prosperous farmers. PDKV-Researched Crop Varieties Jowar: PDKV Shashwat (TKS-461) Characteristics * High average grain yield (31.8 q/ha), fodder yield (78.66 q/ha) * Excellent bhakri (flatbread) quality, colour, taste, and aroma * Resistant to major pests and diseases * Released for rainfed rabi areas of Maharashtra Nachni (finger millet): PDKV Adishree (BFM8-E) Characteristics * Yield: 2811 kg/ha * Early maturing (100-105 days) * Resistant to leaf blast and brown spot diseases * Released for kharif season cultivation in Maharashtra * Moong: PDKV Varsha (TKM-141) Kharif Characteristics * Yield: 11 q/ha * Pods at the top for easy picking * Resistant to yellow mosaic virus * Medium-sized, non-shattering pods * Released for kharif season cultivation in Maharashtra Moong: PDKV Falguni (TKM-140) Characteristics * Average yield: 9 q/ha * Bold seeds, matures uniformly * Resistant to yellow mosaic virus * Released for summer season cultivation in Maharashtra Chickpea: Kabuli (AKGK) 1801 Characteristics * High yield (20 q/ha) * Early maturing, suitable for mechanical harvesting * Resistant to wilt disease * Released for irrigated rabi season cultivation in Maharashtra Flax: PDKV-NL371 Characteristics * Yield: 10.19 q/ha * High oil content (37.5%) Tired of too many ads? go ad free now * Resistant to wilt disease and bud fly * Released for Maharashtra Khairni: MGK-31 PDKV-Adhar Characteristics * Average yield: 22.50 kg/tree * High germination capacity (87.17%) * Early germination (16.56 days) * Vigorous growth, suitable for grafting in sapota cultivation * Released as a rootstock for successful grafting Custard Apple: PDKV-Sangam (CA-12-03) Characteristics * High-yielding variety (19.89 kg/tree) * Large fruit size (11.91 to 12.79cm) * Average 62 fruits per tree, average fruit weight 616.71gm * High pulp content (63.11%), high soluble solids (24.98° Brix) * Released for cultivation Wheat: AKAW 5100 Characteristics * Yield: 42 to 49 q/ha * Resistant to rust disease * Excellent grain quality for bread and chapati * Tolerant to water stress and heat-insensitive * Released for timely sowing in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu at the national level Maize: Hybrid PDKV Arambh (BMH-18-2) Characteristics * High yield potential (111.1 q/ha) * Medium maturity period (95-102 days) * Plant height (207-214 cm) * Moderately resistant to turcicum leaf blight, stem borer, and fall armyworm damage * Released for kharif season in the peninsular region (Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana) and central-western region (Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh) Jowar: CSV 65 Yellow Characteristics * Biofortified kharif yellow jowar variety * Zinc content: 23.2 ppm, iron content: 30.8 ppm * Grain yield: 25-28 q/ha, fodder yield: 110-115 q/ha * Protein content: 10.4% * Maturity period: 110-112 days PDKV Researched Tools and Machinery PDKV-Developed Engine-Operated Soybean Harvester Characteristics * Suitable for harvesting two rows of soybean at a time, placing the crop in rows for easy collection * Average total loss during harvesting: 3.16% * Effective field capacity and efficiency: 0.174 ha/hour and 81.31% * Operating cost: Rs 950 per hectare, saving 35.38% compared to manual harvesting PDKV-Developed Electric-Powered Flax Thresher Characteristics * Threshing efficiency: 99.36% * Threshing capacity: 25.07 kg/hour * Grain cleaning efficiency: 96.86% * Total grain loss: 1.66% * Saves 37.70% compared to traditional hand threshing PDKV-Developed Bullock-Operated Zero-Till Paddy Seeder Characteristics * Suitable for direct paddy seed sowing * Seed rate: 35.88 to 53.76 kg/ha * Field efficiency: 0.8 ha/hour, capacity: 86.44% * Saves transplanting, puddling, and labour costs * Cost: Rs 115.7 per hour and Rs 656.94 per hectare PDKV-Developed Biomass Distillation System (For Lemongrass and Citronella Oil Extraction) Characteristics * Capacity: 200 litres * Efficiency: 85% * Extracts better-quality aromatic oil compared to traditional methods * Reduced biomass fuel consumption * Released for lemongrass and citronella oil extraction PDKV-Developed Combined Animal Repellent And Solar Pest Trap Characteristics * Fully solar-powered, suitable for 2 acres * Controls pests and wild animals simultaneously * Useful for integrated pest management * Battery charging via solar panel saves electricity PDKV-Developed Human-Operated Solar-Powered Vermicompost Spreader Characteristics * Field capacity and efficiency: 0.62 ha/hour and 71% * Disc speed: 300 RPM * Uniform fertiliser spreading * Saves 68% cost compared to traditional hand spreading * Operates continuously for 12 hours PDKV-Developed Mobile Grain Cleaner and Grader Characteristics * Useful for cleaning and grading soybean and other grains * Easily transportable between fields * Capacity: 100 kg/hour * Cleaning efficiency: 88-90%, grading efficiency: 87-89% PDKV-Developed Mini Besan Mill Characteristics * Useful for making besan from chickpea dal * Capacity: 50 kg/hour * Yield: 98% PDKV-Developed Tractor-Operated Rotary Soybean Dryer Characteristics * Useful for drying soybean and other grains * Capacity: 2 tonnes per batch * Requires 35 HP tractor * Temperature controllable
Deccan Herald
31-05-2025
- General
- Deccan Herald
Dabbling in dabu
Alka highlights that while Sanganeri prints were meant for royalty, Akola and Bagru designs were the everyday wear of local tribes
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Set up millet board at agri university: MLA Sawarkar
Nagpur: During Monday's organised by the Directorate of Extension Education at PDKV Akola, , University Executive Council member and farmers' issues expert, advocated for establishing a millet board in Maharashtra's agricultural universities, similar to Bihar's Makhana Board. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He additionally discussed the importance of balanced BT cotton seed usage and urged farmer producer companies to maintain integrity in agricultural trade operations. The establishment of a millet board in state agricultural universities is essential, MLA Savarkar said. MLA Savarkar, speaking as special guest, addressed the declining soybean cultivation and rising pigeon pea farming trends. He highlighted the successful implementation of PKV Amba and Suvarna Soya varieties, whilst advising adherence to university guidelines for home-grown seeds. He emphasised expanding coarse grain cultivation and suggested that purchasing 17 varieties of coarse grains at minimum support prices would enhance agricultural income. He stressed the universities' role in promoting sustainable agriculture. Sharad Gadakh, Vice-Chancellor of , noted favourable rainfall predictions and emphasised combining modern technology with traditional farming methods. He discussed rainfall patterns over five decades, suggesting intercropping with cotton and soybean to minimise weather-related losses. He advocated for integrated farming systems, proper crop rotation, and organic fertiliser usage. The event saw participation from numerous dignitaries including MLA Savarkar, Mahabeej General Manager Vivek Thakre, farmer representative Rishikesh Junghare, and various university directors. Farmers from Vidarbha, Marathwada, and parts of Madhya Pradesh attended in significant numbers. The programme commenced with honouring Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh's portrait. Technical sessions covered various agricultural topics, including weather forecasts, pest management, and cultivation techniques. The fair witnessed unprecedented participation, with approximately 1,400 farmers purchasing university-modified seeds. The event recorded sales of agricultural inputs worth 17 million rupees, including substantial quantities of certified seeds for various crops.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Startup develops drone to clean solar plant in 30 minutes
Nagpur: A startup incubated at Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV), Akola, developed a drone that can clean a 1-megawatt solar energy project in just 30 minutes using clean water, significantly improving efficiency. Developed under the guidance of Dr SR Kalbande, director of PDKV-RIF and dean of agricultural engineering, in collaboration with Indian Drone Research and Development Pvt Ltd, the drone offers a faster, automated, and eco-friendly alternative to traditional manual cleaning. PDKV's 600-KW solar project faces challenges in rooftop panel cleaning, which affects efficiency due to the accumulated dust on it. "This drone not only reduces cost and water usage but also increases energy production through clean panels," said Ashish Bhaskar Hande, managing director and CEO. "Our goal is to strengthen India's clean energy mission with the help of indigenous and sustainable technology." Dr Kalbande added, "By providing technical guidance to the startup and helping them every time, our objective is to create a startup ecosystem in our region." This idea promotes national campaigns such as Make in India, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and the spread of green technology. The project, supported by vice-chancellor Dr Sharad Gadakh, was successfully demonstrated at the College of Agricultural Engineering, in the presence of faculty and students.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Nagpur's Janhavi Wins 1500m Khelo India Youth Games Gold
Nagpur: City's prodigious middle and short-distance runners, Janhavi Hirudkar and Kashish Bhagat , made their mark in the 7th Khelo India Youth Games currently in progress at the Patliputra Sports Complex, Patna, on Tuesday. While Janhavi once again proved her mettle at the national level competition by winning a gold medal in the 1500m race, Kashish brought home a bronze medal in the 400m the wrestling competition at the Gyan Bhavan Cultural Hall in Patna, Akola's Smriti Srinath secured a bronze medal. The trio of Vidarbha sportspersons helped Maharashtra score a ton of medals, including 41 gold, in the Khelo India Youth the 1500m race for U-18 girls, 17-year-old Janhavi raced away to glory by finishing the race in 4 minutes, 35.69 seconds for a dominant performance. Delhi's Mahi finished behind Janhavi with a timing of 4:42.89 seconds, while Karnataka's Pranathi clocked 4:45.08 to win the girls' 400m race, Nagpur's Kashish Bhagat won a bronze medal for Maharashtra with a timing of 56.83 seconds. Tamil Nadu's Idevina Jason clocked 55.90 seconds to clinch the gold medal, and Haryana's Deepika (56.66s) secured trains under the guidance of Ashfaq Sheikh, while Kashish practises with Ram Vani. In the girls' 62 kg freestyle category in the wrestling competition, Smriti Srinath from Akola secured a bronze medal by defeating Rajasthan's Chanchal Mali Maharashtra athletes set seven competition record to maintain their lead in the medals tally.
