OUAT plans to set up centres of excellence for research in agriculture, allied sciences

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar, will establish three centres of excellence (CoEs) for research and development. These centres will generate knowledge and technologies in areas like genomics, bio-informatics in agriculture and allied areas, nanoscience, and regenerative farming practices.The centres will be set up at the OUAT main campus here. Odisha govt may fund the centres for research and development from 2025-26 to 2028-29. The total cost of the proposed project is Rs 127.2 crore, official sources said.The aim of the centres is generation of knowledge and technologies in areas of genomics and bio-informatics in agriculture and allied sciences. They will conduct fundamental research in nanoscience and develop protocols for novel nano-formulations.

The centres will also undertake research in regenerative agriculture practices, enhancing diversity, resilience, and sustainability of food systems with their greater outreach.During the research, the centres will undertake genome sequencing of important landraces of green gram and goat. Protocols will be developed for nano-formulation synthesis. They will test, validate, certify, and recommend nano products and develop web-based and mobile-based training modules.

The centres will help enhance the productivity of soil and water and increase resilience to biotic and abiotic stress. They will train students, farmers, scientists, and other stakeholders, apart from PG and PhD research on cutting-edge technology, said official sources.According to the plan, the centres will spend Rs 63 crore in 2025-26, Rs 44.96 crore in 2026-27, Rs 10.58 crore in 2027-28, and Rs 8.64 crore in 2028-29.

“The CoEs in emerging branches of agricultural science will try to solve anticipated problems in agriculture and the allied sector in an economy and ecology-friendly mode,” said official sources.Pravat Kumar Roul, OUAT vice-chancellor, said they submitted a proposal for the establishment of four CoEs in OUAT. “The govt has advised us to go for three CoEs. We were asked to give a presentation before the chief secretary regarding the centres. We will do that very soon,” he added.