MeitY's R&D Institute Signs ToT Pact with 2 Private Entities for Sugar Content Measurement

Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering & Research (SAMEER), an R&D Institute of MeitY, Government of India, has signed a Transfer of Technology (ToT) pact for Microwave based in-situ BRIX measurement system with Toshniwal Hyvac Pvt. Ltd. and Sir Automation Industries to enable manufacturing of this system in large numbers.

The Technology Transfer took place in presence of Secretary, MeitY, S Krishnan, in Mumbai, according to an official release. This state-of-the-art technology of the Sugar COntent MeasuREment (SCORE) system is transferred to the two private industry partners to enable its manufacturing in large numbers.

The innovative Microwave-Based Brix Measurement System, designed and developed by SAMEER, offers a rapid, non-destructive, and accurate method for measuring in situ sugar concentration (Brix) in sugar mills during the  production of sugar. This cutting-edge technology eliminates the need for manual sampling and enables reducing production time.

This initiative is part of PM’s vision of Jai Jawan (Soldier), Jai Kisan (Farmer), Jai Vigyan (Science), Jai Anusandhan (Research) - “जय जवान, जय किसान, जय विज्ञान, जय अनुसंधान" -to build indigenous technologies to support sugarcane farmers (Ganna Kisan) and associated sugar production Industry in India.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary, MeitY said that the microwave-based Brix measurement technology built by SAMEER helps sugarcane farmers to produce sugar cane syrup more accurately and efficiently.  He further highlighted that the priority for MeitY is to develop indigenous technologies with own IP and in all sectors of ICT including agriculture.

Through R&D initiatives of the Ministry, the technologies/products developed by SAMEER will provide ease of living, safety, energy saving, reduce carbon footprint etc.  He congratulated SAMEER’s scientists for their efforts in building a Microwave-based compact cost-effective BRIX meter for the sugar industry.

These solutions are designed and developed keeping in view Indian-specific scenarios. The Secretary urged that R&D Institutes like SAMEER are providing an opportunity for use of retrofitting technology in traditional industries. Director General of SAMEER, Dr. P. Hanumantha Rao, said that it is a milestone achievement in the journey of SAMEER’s efforts in the application of microwaves for agricultural and Industrial food processing sector of India.

SAMEER has been pursuing R&D in the advanced Radio Frequency (RF) and microwave research programs funded by MeitY, Government of India, he said. The developed technology under "Make in India" initiative will help the sugarcane farmers with Enhanced Production Efficiency and high Accuracy on BRIX.

Technology Transfer of "Microwave Based Brix Measurement System" is a significant milestone in the project's journey. This event marks the successful transfer of cutting-edge technology from SAMEER research team to industry partners and stakeholders, for innovative applications and impact. This technology has the potential to revolutionise the sugar industry, he added.