CENTRE FOR AGRICULTURAL NANOTECHNOLOGY
Nanotechnology is one of the most fascinating fields of science in the 21st century capable of revolutionizing a wide spectrum of disciplines including agriculture. The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University is one of the early birds in initiating extraordinary efforts to set up an exclusive facility for Nanotechnology to evolve processes and products that enable smart delivery of inputs to promote agricultural productivity without affecting the environment.
The Centre for Agricultural Nanotechnology was established with an initial investment of Rs. 12 Crores (2 million USD) under the ICAR special Grants provided to celebrate the Centenary year by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in 2009. The Nano Center has state-of-the-art infrastructure facility, sophisticated equipments, and trained manpower besides technical support. Currently, the Centre for Agricultural Nanotechnology is working on three different theme areas namely Agricultural Nanotechnology, Environmental Nanotechnology, and Nanotoxicity. Nanofertilizers, Nano biosensors, Nano biopesticides, Nano bioherbicides, Nano fiber, Nanoremediation, nZVI for ground water remediation, Carbon dots for waste water treatment, Nanotoxicity and Biosafety are the few worth mentioning research domain of this centre. Enhanced Freshness Formulation, Nano sticker, Nano pellets for extending the shelf life of mango (Nano SLERBIO), Nano digest for odour control during composting, Copra guard for protecting coconut, and Rhizo Boost for promoting crop growth are the few products developed by this centre. The Nanotechnology Centre is fostering multi-faceted research collaborations with national and international organizations.
This centre intends to provide advanced education and research opportunities to young graduates for taking the inventions from the laboratory to the farm gate. The Centre for Agricultural Nanotechnology undertake analytical services on cost-basis to meet the requirement of scientists, students, scholars of TNAU, ICAR Institutes, SAUs, other academic and industrial organizations across the country.
