Summary
A contract has been inked between the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai and the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology in Kashmir to use radiation technology to improve agricultural productivity.
The pact was signed by the SKUAST-K group of scientists, chaired by Vice-Chancellor Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, during a recent tour to BARC Mumbai.
Radiation technology would be implemented in the agricultural sector to aid in the development of novel and diverse crop classes through mutation breeding. This technique will aid in the preservation of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as the development of novel crop management systems for organic agriculture.
During an interactive session, BARC Director Dr. AK Mohanty complimented both institutions for their joint accord.
He also stated that Jammu and Kashmir would receive his full support in building human capacity in the field of radioactive technology, particularly in the advancement of climate-smart improved varieties, such as Kala Zeera, Kashmir’s wild tulip, saffron, and other plantations with the least amount of variability.
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Sign Deal with BARC
Agriculture and Radiation Technology
Dr. AK Mohanty assisted the group of scientists in creating procedures for securely using radiation technology, improving the shelf life of commercially important fruits and vegetables, and delaying sprouting in shallots, potatoes, and onions to aid in their export from Jammu and Kashmir fields.
During the communication with the director of BARC and his colleagues, Prof. Ganai highlighted the formation of working groups of scientists at different sites of R&D at BARC and SKUAST-K and expressed his desire to organize a joint national workshop in July on the topic Radiation technology in agriculture.
About BARC
The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre is India’s premier nuclear research facility, headquartered in Trombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra. Founded by Homi Jehangir Bhabha Atomic Energy Establishment, Trombay in January 1954 as a multidisciplinary research program essential for India’s nuclear program
BARC is a multi-disciplinary research centre with extensive infrastructure for advanced research and development covering the entire spectrum of nuclear science, chemical engineering, material sciences and metallurgy, electronic instrumentation, biology and medicine, supercomputing, high-energy physics and plasma physics and associated research for Indian nuclear programme and related areas.
BARC’s core mandate is to sustain peaceful applications of nuclear energy. It manages all facets of nuclear power generation, from the theoretical design of reactors to, computer modeling and simulation, risk analysis, development and testing of new reactor fuel, materials, etc. It also researches spent fuel processing and safe disposal of nuclear waste. Its other research focus areas are applications for isotopes in industries, Radiation Technologies and their application to health, food and medicine, agriculture and environment, accelerator and Laser Technology, electronics, instrumentation and reactor control and Material Science, environment and radiation monitoring etc. BARC operates a number of research reactors across the country.