On their way to commercialise the Anand Agriculture University (AAU)'s indigenously developed bio-fertilizer, the varsity and state-run Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals (GSFC) Limited, Vadodara have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
As part of the MoU, the agriculture university has licensed its liquid bio-fertilizer technology to GSFC for mass production. So far, AAU used to sell its indigenously developed bio-fertilizer under 'Anubhav' brand to farmers in the region. Now, GSFC will go for mass production of this liquid bio-fertilizer which it will market under the brand name of 'Sardar'.
AAU microbiologists had developed the liquid bio-fertiliser technology and bio-fertilizers were being sold to local farmers from University Department counter for the past many years on a no-profit-no-loss basis. The product is in high demand among Gujarat farmers especially for drip irrigation.
As per the MoU, AAU will offer the cultures developed by its microbiology scientists to GSFC followed by hands on training to GSFC microbiologists. GSFC will then mass produce and market the liquid bio-fertilizers for the ultimate benefit of the farmers. GSFC will be able to start commercial production within six months.
The MoU was signed at AAU campus in Anand in the presence of AAU's vice-chancellor A M Sheikh, Registrar P R Vaishnav, Director of Research K B Kathiria, Head of BPD Unit, R. V.Vyas, Manager of BPD unit Baljeet Singh along with GSFC's P M Sutaria, Senior Manager-Agro Development and Agro Services, Atul Dave-Head Biofertilizers, GSFC and P P Donga, Senior Manager AG&AD.