MPUAT Hosts Two-Day Regional Research and Extension Advisory Committee Meeting for Kharif 2026 (Division IV-A)

Udaipur: The two-day meeting of the Regional Research and Extension Advisory Committee for Division IV-A was held on April 9–10, 2026, at the Directorate of Research auditorium, Agricultural Research Centre, Udaipur. The meeting was conducted under the chairmanship of the Director of Research, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology (MPUAT), Udaipur.

Addressing the gathering online, Vice Chancellor Dr. Pratap Singh stated that MPUAT has secured 54 patents in recent years across various technologies. He highlighted that this year the university developed several improved crop varieties, including Chetak (opium), PHM-6 (maize), Pratap Asalia-1, Pratap Isabgol-1, Pratap Ashwagandha-1, and Pratap Groundnut-4. He also informed that two fodder maize varieties, PMC-14 and PMC-16, have been submitted for national-level approval.

Director of Research Dr. Arvind Verma discussed various technologies developed under different research projects of the university. During the meeting, Mr. N. S. Rathore, Additional Director (Extension), Bhilwara and Udaipur, emphasized the need for focused research on key areas for the holistic development of farmers. He reviewed scientific presentations and provided valuable, farmer-oriented suggestions. He urged scientists to focus on areas such as artificial intelligence, small-scale farm mechanization, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), GI tagging, and oilseed crops. He also appreciated the university’s outstanding research initiatives.

Mr. Rathore presented detailed information on rainfall distribution during the previous Kharif season, crop area coverage, and productivity. He also highlighted the challenges faced in various crops during Kharif 2025 and requested scientists to suggest appropriate solutions.

Regional Research Director Dr. S. S. Lakhawat welcomed the guests and shared insights into ongoing projects at the university. He also elaborated on the agro-climatic conditions of Division IV-A and emerging research technologies, and presented reports addressing crop-related issues in the region.

During the meeting, Dr. R. L. Soni (Director, Extension Education), Dr. Sunil Joshi (Dean, College of Engineering and Technology), and Dr. Dhriti Solanki (Dean, College of Community and Applied Sciences, Udaipur) expressed their views in the interest of farmers.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Vinod Kumar Jain (Joint Director, Agriculture, Bhilwara), Mr. Mahesh Chejara (Joint Director, Horticulture, Bhilwara), Mr. O. P. Sharma (In-charge, Adaptive Research and Training Centre, Chittorgarh), Dr. Shankar Singh Rathore (Project Director, ATMA, Bhilwara), along with other officials from the Agriculture Department and university scientists.

The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Ravikant Sharma, Associate Director, Directorate of Research, Udaipur.