SML Limited (formerly Sulphur Mills Limited) has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with two research institutes under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) - the ICAR-National Research Centre on Pomegranate (ICAR-NRCP), Solapur, and the ICAR–Central Citrus Research Institute (ICAR-CCRI), Nagpur - to undertake research on fruit crops productivity under Optimized fertilizer usages.
ICAR-National Research Centre on Pomegranate (ICAR-NRCP), Solapur will evaluate SML’s High NUE formulations and their effect on nutrient dynamics, microbial activity, crop productivity, and carbon sequestration in pomegranate cultivation. The research will examine soil and crop performance under different nutrient management practices.
Under the MoU with ICAR–Central Citrus Research Institute (ICAR-CCRI), Nagpur, SML Limited will evaluate the SML Sustainable Nutrition Program in citrus cultivation. The program will study balanced nutrition practices and their impact on soil health, groundwater safety, carbon sequestration, fruit quality, and crop productivity in citrus.
The initiative will include evaluation of SML Program benefits in Pomegranate and Citrus offering alternatives in place of traditional NPK fertilizers and provide Balanced Nutrition program with higher nutrient uptake, targeting biofortification, reduce the incidence of pest and disease, improve shelf life and quality of the final fruit.
During the visit to ICAR-NRCP, Komal Shah Bhukhanwala, Executive Director, SML Group; Ravish Singh, Head of Marketing - Crop Nutrition and Biologicals, SML Group; and Dr. Rajiv Rathod, Head of Global Product Development and Discovery, SML Group, met scientists and officials of the institute to discuss the scope of the research and areas of collaboration.
Commenting on the partnership, Komal Shah Bhukhanwala, Executive Director, SML Group, said the collaboration with ICAR institutes will support the development and evaluation of new crop nutrition practices through scientific research.
“Our collaboration with ICAR institutes focuses on developing next generation crop nutrition solutions supported by research and field evaluation. The objective is to improve productivity, soil health while contributing towards sustainability goals bringing more rewards for growers and the entire food value chain and end consumer” she added further.
