Amity University and ICAR Renew MoU to Propel Agricultural Education, Research and Innovation

Date: 12/12/2024

Marking a pivotal milestone, Amity University and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for another five years, reaffirming their shared commitment to advancing agricultural research, innovation, and education in India. The MoU, initially signed in 2014 has been instrumental in driving impactful initiatives and fostering meaningful collaborations over the past decade.

The signing ceremony was held at Krishi Anusandhan Bhawan-II, Pusa, New Delhi, with Dr. W. Selvamurthy, President of the Amity Science, Technology, and Innovation Foundation (ASTIF), and Dr. R. C Aggarwal, Deputy Director General (Education), ICAR, serving as the signatories. The event was graced by dignitaries from ICAR and the Ministry of Agriculture, along with senior faculty and researchers from Amity University.

Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Ashok K. Chauhan, Founder President of Amity Education Group, this MoU renewal signals a strengthened partnership that will focus on leveraging research and technology to address critical challenges in the agricultural sector and contribute to national priorities like Aatmanirbhar Bharat and food security.

Over the past decade, the collaboration between Amity University and ICAR has achieved remarkable milestones, including enrolling ICAR scholars in Ph.D. programs, publishing high-impact research papers in agricultural biotechnology and sustainable farming, executing collaborative projects on crop resilience and soil health, and filing joint patents for innovative agricultural solutions. Additionally, over 600 training programs and field demonstrations have directly benefited farmers, rural youth, and women, promoting sustainable practices.

Over the past decade, this collaboration has facilitated the enrolment of 200+ ICAR scholars into Ph.D. programs at Amity University. It has also led to the publication of 400+ joint research papers in leading scientific journals and the execution of 13+ collaborative research projects, many of which focus on agricultural sustainability and innovation. Additionally, patents have been filed in agricultural technology and solutions, and over 600 training and field demonstration programs have been organized, directly benefiting farmers, rural youth, and women. The partnership has also hosted prestigious events such as the Asian Regional Conference on Goats and workshops on vertical farming and biofortification.

At the signing ceremony, Dr. W. Selvamurthy, President ASTIF, remarked, “This partnership between Amity University and ICAR exemplifies our commitment to driving innovation and excellence in agricultural research. Together, we are working to address the challenges of the sector, ensuring sustainable growth, and contributing to the livelihoods of millions of farmers.”

Dr. R. C Aggarwal, Deputy Director General (Education), ICAR, emphasized, “Over the years, our collaboration with Amity University has delivered impactful results. The renewal of this MoU marks a new chapter in our journey to foster cutting-edge research and field applications that will shape the future of Indian agriculture.”

This renewed collaboration aligns with the Government of India’s vision for a sustainable, self-reliant agricultural economy. It will act as a catalyst for driving innovation, enhancing productivity, and addressing global challenges such as food security and climate change.

Together, Amity University and ICAR are poised to set new benchmarks in agricultural research and education, paving the way for a brighter and more sustainable future.

Under the visionary leadership of Founder President of Amity Education Group, Dr. Ashok K. Chauhan, Amity University has formulated Agri Vision Document that outlines a strategic roadmap to revolutionize agricultural research, education, and innovation and also aims to enhance sustainable farming practices, integrate cutting-edge technologies, and address global food security challenges. Aligned with the objectives of ICAR and the national vision for a self-reliant agricultural economy, this vision positions Amity as a leader in agricultural excellence and contributes significantly to India’s agricultural development.

Amity University signs MoU with Indian Council of Agricultural Research to conduct research activities alongwith work on technology transfer in the area of agriculture

Date: 3/31/2014

Today is a historical day for Amity University when a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) was signed to promote Scientific Education and Research for the benefit of agriculture. The MoU was signed by Mr. Arvind Kumar, Deputy Director General (Education), ICAR and Dr. B.L. Arya, Registrar – Amity University Uttar Pradesh in the august presence of Dr. S. Ayyappan, Director General – ICAR & Secretary – DARE; Mr. Arvind Kaushal, Secretary – ICAR; Mr. P.K. Pujari – Addl Secretary – ICAR, Dr. B Meenakumar- DDG – Fisheries, Dr. Ashok K Chauhan, Founder President – Amity Group, Mr. Atul Chauhan, Chancellor – Amity University at ICAR – Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi.

Mr. Arvind Kumar, Deputy Director General (Edn), ICAR while signing the MoU with Amity University commented that this MoU is unique in many ways. With this MoU a new era in Public Private Partnership initiative has started. ICAR and Amity has agreed to collaborate in the broad areas of Education, Research, Technology demonstration and transfer.

The MoU listed the following areas of co-operation between Amity University and ICAR amongst others:

1. Both ICAR and Amity will recognize the faculty of partner institutions for teaching purposes.

2. Science and technical staff of ICAR will be able to register for PhD program with Amity University

3. Post Graduate Students of Amity University will be able to carry out their research work at Institutes / centres of ICAR.

4. Students and faculty of Amity can use laboratories and other facilities of ICAR.

5. Scientists of ICAR may deliver lecture at Amity University as Visiting Faculty

6. ICAR and Amity will work on collaborative research programs in the areas of national interest related to improvement of agriculture.

7. ICAR will assist Amity University in technology demonstration and transfer involving famers, farms and rural enterprises and rural non-governmental organization and self help societies.

8. Amity University will help ICAR in technology demonstration and transfer to industrial clients other than the rural enterprises.

Dr. S. Ayyappan, Director General – ICAR & Secretary – DARE said that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research is an apex organization in the country spearheading agricultural research, education and extension activities for productivity enhancement and diversification of Indian agriculture. The comprehensive initiatives taken by the Council have led to notable accomplishments in natural resource management, input use efficiency, climate resilience, secondary agriculture and economic transformation of farmers though technological interventions.

Dr. Ashok K Chauhan, Founder President – Amity Group said that this collaboration will result in research activities in different fields of agriculture which will result in food security and agriculture development of our country. Dr. Chauhan said that Public Private Partnership is the demand of the time since it generates a synergy between best brains and best infrastructure. Remarking on the contributions of ICAR, Dr Chauhan said that ICAR has transformed India from begging bowl to basket of grains and has done lot of work towards food security.

Mr. Atul Chauhan, Chancellor – Amity University said that agricultural research is very important for the development of any nation and Amity has always given lots of focus in scientific research activities in agriculture through its Universities and institutions spread all over the country. Amity has strong focus on Nanotechnology, biotechnology, post harvest technology & cold chain management, organic agriculture etc. Mr. Chauhan added that at Amity University, currently 103 government approved research projects are operational, 541 patents have been filed, over 600 books authored, 3032 research papers published in leading journals.

Swami Atma Priyananda, Vice Chancellor – Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University, Dr. W. Selvamurthy, President – Amity Science Technology & Innovation Foundation, Dr. Sunil Saran, Vice President - Amity Science Technology & Innovation Foundation, Prof. Ajit Varma, Advisor – Amity Institute of Microbial Sciences were also present during the MoU signing ceremony.

Senior Officials from Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity Institute of Microbial Technology and Amity Institute of Applied Sciences were present during the session.

Delegation from Amity University led by Dr Ashok K Chauhan, Founder President - Amity Group during MoU signing ceremony

Exchange of MoU files between Amity and ICAR