The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT) have partnered to advance Indian agriculture. On July 24, 2024, the two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish India’s first ‘Standardized Agriculture Demonstration Farm’ (SADF).
The MoU was formalized in a ceremony attended by Dr. M. S. Chauhan, Vice-Chancellor of GBPUAT, alongside senior university officials including Dr. Deepa Vinay, Registrar, Dr. Ajeet Kumar Nain, Director of Research, and various Deans from GBPUAT. The event also saw the participation of Dr. S. B. Singh, BIS Chair at GBPUAT. Representing BIS were Rajeev P, Deputy Director General (North), Saurabh Tiwari, Director & Head of BIS Dehradun, and other senior BIS officials.
This agreement is notable as it represents the initial partnership between BIS and an agricultural university aimed at establishing SADFs. These demonstration farms will function as experimental platforms for testing and applying new agricultural practices and technologies, aligned with Indian Standards.
Pramod Kumar Tiwari, Director General of BIS, highlighted the significance of the MoU, stating, “This partnership with GBPUAT is a major step forward. It will enhance agricultural practices by integrating Indian Standards, benefiting farmers and advancing agricultural innovation. We look forward to the positive impact this initiative will have on both the agricultural sector and the wider community.”
The core aim of the MoU is to launch these standardized farms at GBPUAT, facilitating rigorous testing and implementation of agricultural techniques. Dr. Chauhan has directed university officials to initiate the project without delay and to provide regular updates on progress, ensuring BIS stays informed throughout the process.
This collaboration underlines a crucial advancement in standardizing agricultural practices in India, promising to drive forward agricultural productivity and sustainability through innovative approaches.
