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
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
22 minutes ago
- CBS News
Pilot killed in Beverly plane crash identified by his family as Geoffrey Andrews
The pilot killed in a small plane crash in Beverly, Massachusetts on Thursday has been identified by his family. Geoffrey Andrews was piloting the plane when it crashed shortly after takeoff Thursday on Sam Fonzo Drive in an industrial park near Beverly Regional Airport. A second man in the plane was injured. He has not been identified. Police said it appears Andrews was attempting to take off when the plane crashed. The FAA said the plane had just left Beverly and was heading to Ticonderoga Municipal Airport, which is about 100 miles north of Albany, New York. "We thank the investigators who we trust will conduct a thorough investigation into what caused this catastrophic loss of life. We also pray for his passenger in the plane and are sending his loved ones strength through this difficult time," said Andrews' family in a statement. His family said Andrews was a staff scientist at MIT Lincoln Laboratory and graduated from Lehigh University and got his doctorate from Purdue University. They said he loved to fly and was working to become a certified flight instructor. Andrews is survived by his wife, Gentry, who is expecting their first child in October. "Beyond his love for flight, Geoffrey was a charismatic, beautiful soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and always had a kind word for others. He was so excited about the upcoming birth of their baby," said his family in a statement.
Daily News Egypt
23 minutes ago
- Daily News Egypt
MSMEDA injects EGP 17.4bn into 900k women-led enterprises over past decade: CEO
Bassel Rahmy, CEO of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA), announced that the agency has allocated EGP 17.4bn over the past 10 years to support women-led micro and small enterprises across Egypt. This funding has empowered around 900,000 projects and contributed to the creation of approximately 1.2 million job opportunities. Rahmy highlighted that 54% of the total funding—equivalent to EGP 9.4 billion—was channelled into projects located in Upper Egypt, border governorates, and other underserved areas most in need of development. He emphasised the agency's determination to double this financing in the coming period, in line with government efforts to enhance women's economic participation and unlock their potential as drivers of national growth. The announcement was made during the 'Women in SMEs' Conference, organised by the Women Entrepreneurs Club under the patronage of MSMEDA. The event gathered representatives from leading financial institutions, entrepreneurship support organisations, ambassadors, and distinguished female leaders from across various economic sectors. In his remarks, Rahmy reiterated MSMEDA's commitment to working in close coordination with government bodies, civil society organisations, and development partners to further empower women economically. He stressed the importance of supporting women not only in launching new enterprises, but also in expanding and developing existing ones across industrial and service-based sectors. This approach, he noted, aims to cultivate a new generation of pioneering women entrepreneurs who can contribute meaningfully to Egypt's economic transformation. Rahmy also underlined the significance of the agency's participation in such conferences, as they serve as platforms to exchange expertise, share successful models, and align with international best practices—particularly in relation to the SME sector and women's empowerment. These efforts, he said, are central to Egypt's development agenda and are fully aligned with Egypt Vision 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. During the event, Rahmy presented the full range of services MSMEDA offers to support entrepreneurs, including both financial and non-financial assistance. He noted the agency's ongoing efforts to expand the accessibility of its services across the country, especially for women and young people, by leveraging digital transformation tools and platforms. Mona Mourad, Founder and CEO of the Women Entrepreneurs Club, affirmed the Club's commitment to enhancing the capabilities of Egyptian women and enabling them to take the lead in medium and large-scale enterprises. She pointed to the conference's collaboration with the American University in Cairo's Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Alcatel-Lucent as a prime example of how public-private-academic partnerships can accelerate women's leadership in digital transformation and institutional growth. Mourad commended MSMEDA for its pivotal role in building the capacities of women across various economic activities, particularly by supporting productive, sustainable projects. She added that the agency's presence at the event reflects the growing synergy between state institutions and development actors, both local and international, in creating a thriving ecosystem for female entrepreneurship. In recognition of their success, Rahmy honoured several women who have built notable businesses with MSMEDA's support. Among them was Yasmin El-Sweifi, who owns a thriving restaurant chain in Cairo; Mona Sami, who founded a business producing educational and interactive toys; and Sherine Saleh, who established a manufacturing project for medical and cosmetic supplies. Their achievements, Rahmy said, are a testament to the transformative impact of targeted support and inclusive development policies.
Daily News Egypt
23 minutes ago
- Daily News Egypt
The Role of Crisis Management Committees in Responding to Global Shocks: A Central Pillar for National Stability
As geopolitical tensions intensify and the world grapples with overlapping crises, the need for robust and agile crisis management frameworks has never been greater. These crises—whether political, economic, environmental, or military—often have profound repercussions that reverberate far beyond their points of origin, threatening national security, economic resilience, and social cohesion. Crisis management committees serve as a frontline defence, coordinating resources, streamlining decision-making, and ensuring institutional coherence in times of uncertainty. Their importance becomes especially pronounced during periods of regional or global escalation, when swift, informed action can mean the difference between containment and chaos. Forming such committees has become an essential component of statecraft, aimed at assessing risk, preparing for contingencies, and executing rapid-response strategies. These bodies are typically empowered with wide-ranging authority, allowing them to act without bureaucratic delay. While some are convened for specific emergencies and disbanded once the threat subsides, others operate permanently—continuously monitoring risk landscapes, developing response protocols, and running stress tests to gauge national readiness. Models of Crisis Committees: Proactive vs. Reactive Countries typically adopt a hybrid model, combining two core approaches: Proactive Committees: These focus on foresight, risk mapping, and preventive planning, aiming to avert crises before they emerge. Reactive Committees: These are mobilised to deal with fast-unfolding events, executing decisive actions to limit damage and restore stability. Global Best Practices Several international experiences underscore the value of institutionalised crisis management: Japan: The National Emergency Committee is globally respected for its meticulous disaster preparedness, particularly for natural events like earthquakes and tsunamis. During the 2011 earthquake, its rapid coordination and pre-existing plans helped contain the disaster's impact. United States: FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) is one of the most powerful emergency response institutions in the world. With wide-ranging authority, it leads national efforts to respond to hurricanes, pandemics, and other large-scale emergencies. India: The National Disaster Management Authority, created in 2005, is a comprehensive body that manages both natural and man-made disasters. It focuses on long-term planning, stakeholder coordination, and swift response to protect vulnerable populations. Egypt's Experience: Pre-Emptive Strategy in Action Egypt has taken notable steps to institutionalise crisis response mechanisms, particularly in response to mounting regional instability. In a forward-looking move, the government recently established a Supreme Crisis Management Committee to monitor the potential fallout from the escalating Iran-Israel conflict. Significantly, this committee has a proactive mandate, aiming to assess possible economic consequences before they materialise. Government officials have stressed that Egypt currently faces no direct threat to its domestic market or national security. Nonetheless, the committee—chaired by the Prime Minister—will meet regularly to evaluate developments, safeguard macroeconomic stability, and shield the country's ongoing reform programme from external shocks. It will also work in close coordination with advisory councils, sovereign entities, economic experts, and national security institutions, including the armed forces and police. By integrating both public and private sector input, the committee represents a whole-of-government approach to risk management. Egypt's Crisis Management Committee is poised to become a cornerstone of the country's national resilience architecture. In an increasingly unpredictable world, the ability to respond swiftly, strategically, and collectively is no longer optional—it is foundational. With foresight and coordinated action, such committees can transform crises from existential threats into manageable challenges. Mohamed Abdel Aal – Banking expert
