Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University (SOA) on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal, for undertaking academic, research and outreach collaborations including in the area of climate resilient farming.

As per the agreement, SOA and CAU will promote cooperation in exchange of students, researchers and faculty members, exchange of methodology and technology of mutual interest, exchange of scientific literature and information and share laboratory facilities as available and required in common interest.

The two universities will also carry out collaborative research and outreach activities related to climate resilient agriculture.

It will include technological interventions to adapt to the climate change and variability scenario, development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) based Decision Support Systems (DSS) for optimum use of resources like land, water and energy for maximization of crop production, farmers’ income and minimization of Green House Gas (GHG) emission.

SOA and CAU will also conduct outreach programs to create awareness among farmers on the adverse effect of climate change and variability on agriculture and allied sectors as well as climate resilient farming system and other adaptation strategies.

The MoU was signed by Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda, SOA’s Vice-Chancellor, and Prof. Anupam Mishra, Vice-Chancellor of CAU.

Prof. Indira Sarangthem, Director (Instruction) of CAU, Prof. Manas Kumar Mallick, Director, Institute of Technical Education and Research (ITER), Prof. Santosh Kumar Rout, Dean, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, SOA’s faculty of agricultural sciences, Prof. Bijay Kumar Sahu, Advisor, IAS, Prof. S.K.Panda, Professor, IAS and Mr. Pramod Kumar Panda, SOA’s Chief Administrative Officer were present.