NIT Jamshedpur Hosts 5-Day Tech Workshop for Smart Agriculture

The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Jamshedpur hosted a 5-day Advanced Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programme (A-ESDP) centered around IoT and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). The program is funded by Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India.

Exploring Tech Fundamentals for Agriculture

The A-ESDP aims to delve into the fundamentals of IoT, exploring its basic building blocks, applications in agriculture, and hands-on training. Additionally, the program places a spotlight on GNSS, GNSS positioning technology, applications, and the design of wireless sensors customised for agricultural use.

Nationwide Participation

Students from various institutions across the country, including Sikkim, Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, and Jharkhand, are actively participating in this comprehensive event. Distinguished guests from prestigious educational institutions such as IIT BHU, IIT Kharagpur, and Burdwan University, along with representatives from the Meteorological Department and multinational corporations, contribute their expertise.

Inauguration Highlights

The inauguration was held at the Diamond Jubilee Hall of the Institute which witnessed figures, including Prof Goutam Sutradhar (Director, NIT Jamshedpur), Prof Mrityunjay Kumar Sinha (Convenor, Dean, Research and Consultancy), Dr Dilip Kumar (Head of Department, ECE), and Program Coordinator Dr Surjit Kundu (Assistant Professor, ECE Department). Prof Sutradhar emphasised the benefits of IoT and GNSS in agriculture, highlighting the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises' pivotal role. Prof Mrityunjay Kumar Sinha urged attendees to leverage advanced technology for the national interest.

Program Overview

Dr. Surjeet Kundu expressed gratitude to all participants, providing insights into the program's coverage. Distinguished speakers, including Prof. Manchikanti Padmavati of IIT Kharagpur, Prof Rintu Banerjee, Dr Piyush Soni, and Dr Anindya Bose of Burdwan University, shared their expertise on the first day. Prof Manchikanti Padmavati emphasised Intellectual Property Rights and the importance of patenting new experiments. Prof Rintu Banerjee highlighted IIT Kharagpur's role in supporting new entrepreneurs in agriculture, while Dr Piyush Soni provided insights into information-based management systems for advanced agriculture.

Promoting Innovation in Agriculture

The event marks a stride towards fostering technological innovation and entrepreneurship in agriculture, aligning with the national agenda of leveraging technology for sustainable development. NIT Jamshedpur's A-ESDP is poised to equip the next generation with essential skills and knowledge to revolutionise the agricultural landscape in India.