As the golden jubilee celebrations of Agricultural College and Research Institute (ACRI) here come to a close this year, the institute is poised to undertake cutting edge research through its Centre of Excellence for Innovations (CEI).
Being the first of its kind in south Tamil Nadu, the CEI will undertake advanced research in focus areas of southern agro climatic ecosystems and explore the process of value addition in small millets for better nutrition and healthcare.
According to the Dean, K. Velayudham, funding for the centre will be both from the State government and National Agriculture Development Programme.
An estimate for Rs.6.34 crore for 2015-16 has already been submitted to the government and a sum of Rs.6.5 crore is sanctioned for procurement of laboratory equipment and instruments and Rs.50 lakh for construction of a building. This will be one among the six CEIs in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU).
The CEI will conduct research to speed up the process of evolving superior genotypes of small millets and major horticultural crops and work towards formulating novel bio-control agents and bio-inoculants.
The centre would have inter-institutional collaborations to survey socio-economic factors associated with sustainable and successful crop production in the southern districts, said N. Senthil, Director, CEI.
Post-doctoral fellows would utilise the centre to undertake inter-disciplinary research. One of its objectives is to establish a viable innovation system, which can remain as the base for sustainability of education, research, innovation and entrepreneurship.
During the golden jubilee year of the ACRI, which was inaugurated on August 19, 1965, the State government has sanctioned Rs 2.5 crore for an integrated modern kitchen-cum- dining and students’ amenities centre. Efforts are also on to release a postal stamp during the valedictory function to be held soon.
Source : The Hindu
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