NMIMS School of Agricultural Science & Technology Students Publish Patent
August 2023: In an impressive feat, Mr. Pawan Rajput and Mr. Manoj Mali, final year B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture students at NMIMS School of Agricultural Science & Technology (SAST), have published a patent titled “Chemical-Free Storage-cum-Selling Device for Enhanced Shelf Life of Fruits and Vegetables.” This groundbreaking invention showcases the innovative capabilities and practical knowledge of the students, highlighting the success of the systematic program structure at SAST.
The program structure at SAST follows a comprehensive approach, focusing on fundamental education in the first year, applied aspects in the second year, technology aspects in the third year, and field training throughout the final year. During their third year, Mr. Pawan Rajput and Mr. Manoj Mali studied courses on post-harvest technology and food processing, where they identified the gaps in the storage, packaging, and processing of perishable fruits and vegetables.
Their realization of the challenges faced by resource-poor small and marginal farmers, including price fluctuations and post-harvest wastage, during their village attachment program in rural areas of Dhule and Jalgaon, became the driving force behind their innovative idea. After extensive research and analysis of current practices, storage structures, and packaging materials, they developed a vacuum storage device design equipped with accessories that regulate temperature, inhibit microbial growth, and absorb undesirable gases.
The design provides a controlled environment for stored produce, minimizing decay, bacterial growth, and wilting. It incorporates natural and plant-based ingredients in the anti-microbial unit to prevent food spoilage caused by microbial contaminants. The device also features wheels for easy mobility and can be controlled through a user device via a mobile-based app, enabling real-time monitoring of temperature, pressure, and other parameters.
This notable achievement by Mr. Pawan Rajput and Mr. Manoj Mali underscores the inspiring learning environment and curriculum at SAST, which emphasizes classroom and field-oriented learning systems. The school’s principles of “Earn while Learn” and “Materialize the ideas” encourage an environment that nurtures scientific, entrepreneurial, sporting, and cultural talents among its students.
Dr. Mallikarjun Dhotre, Assistant Professor (Horticulture) at SAST, played a crucial role in providing technical support and moral encouragement throughout the development of the design. His guidance and expertise have been instrumental in the success of this invention.
The patent publication by Mr. Pawan Rajput and Mr. Manoj Mali stands as a significant milestone for SAST, highlighting the school’s commitment towards promoting innovation and disruptive technologies for the benefit of the farming community. This accomplishment sets a benchmark for future graduates and further establishes SAST as a leading institution in agricultural education and research.
About SAST:
School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SAST), Shirpur is the first School of Agriculture under SVKM’s NMIMS to be started in 2019 to bring in prosperity to the small and marginal farm holders. The School focuses on teaching, research and outreach, the three arms of agricultural research and education to meet the stakeholders’ aspirations with more participatory devolutions. The School has air-conditioned class rooms with smart boards, 117 acres of farm, and fully-equipped laboratories. The integrated campus set-up provides an opportunity for the students to get exposed to engineering & pharmacy faculties and thus promote holistic development. The robust agricultural education curriculum in line with national agricultural education systems as recommended by the ICAR provides a platform where knowledge, resources and opportunities to address aspects of enhanced farm productivity, profitability and sustainable livelihoods. The skills of the students are honed in basic and applied aspects of agriculture and allied sectors; constant practical hand-holding; and assurance of learning to develop into future researchers or entrepreneurs. The students involve in experiential learning projects and agro-industrial attachments for beyond academic expertise. NMIMS’s SAST is focused to give an extra mile to knowledge and career of graduates because we help them thinking both critically and creatively, and to express with energy, precision, and dynamism.
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