SHRI SHIVAJI SCIENCE COLLEGE, AMRAVATI
DBT STAR COLLEGE PROJECT ACTIVITY
ACTIVITY REPORT
Distribution of Biofertilizers (Trichoderma & Mycorrhiza) to Farmers
Activity Dates: 26 Feb, 2026
Type of Activity: Outreach Activity
Organizing Department: Department of Botany & Bioinformatics
Program Coordinators: Dr. Prashant D Deshmukh
Head of the Department: Dr. Dinesh D. Khedkar
External Collaborator (if any): No
Objectives:
- • To support farmers with cost-effective and environmentally safe agricultural inputs.
- • To support farmers with cost-effective and environmentally safe agricultural inputs.
- • To provide practical exposure to students in community-based agricultural extension activities.
- • To reduce farmers’ dependency on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
- • To create awareness about the benefits of Trichoderma and Mycorrhiza in improving soil health and crop productivity.
No of Beneficieries: 40
Classes Involved: Farmers & Students
Venue of the Activity: Takharkheda Sambhu, Tal. Bhatkuli Dis. Amravati
Activity Report:
REPORT
DISTRIBUTION OF BIOFERTILIZERS (TRICHODERMA & MYCORRHIZA) TO FARMERS
Under Organic Input Project & NSS Scheme
Shri Shivaji Science College, Amravati
1. Introduction and Vision
The Organic Input Production Project, subtitled the "Soil Life Enrichment Initiative," stands as a flagship extension program of Shri Shivaji Science College, Amravati. Managed by the prestigious Shri Shivaji Shikshan Sanstha, the initiative is a collaborative effort led by the Department of Botany under the DBT STAR College Scheme, in synergy with the National Service Scheme (NSS) Unit.
The project is rooted in the philosophy of sustainable development, aiming to bridge the gap between academic research in biotechnology and practical field application for the rural farming community. In an era where chemical degradation of soil is a primary concern for food security, this project seeks to restore the biological vitality of the earth through the mass distribution and education of bio-inputs like Trichoderma and Mycorrhiza.
2. Detailed Program Overview
While the project maintains a presence throughout the academic session, a significant milestone was achieved on February 26, 2026.
• Timeline: The distribution and awareness drive were conducted during the evening hours from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, a time strategically chosen to ensure maximum farmer participation after their daily field activities.
• Geographic Reach: The primary extension activities were concentrated in the villages of Shirala, Pusada, and Gram Takharkheda Sambhu (Taluka: Bhatkuli, District: Amravati).
• Core Bio-inputs Distributed:
1. Trichoderma: A potent biocontrol agent used to combat soil-borne pathogens and enhance plant systemic resistance.
2. Mycorrhiza: A symbiotic fungus that improves nutrient uptake, particularly phosphorus, and enhances the plant's ability to withstand drought.
3. Comprehensive Program Objectives
The initiative was designed with a multi-layered objective framework to address both environmental and socio-economic challenges:
• Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture: To transition farmers from high-chemical dependency to integrated nutrient management systems.
• Soil Health Awareness: To educate the rural populace on the "living" nature of soil and the vital role of microbial life in long-term productivity.
• Economic Relief: To provide cost-effective agricultural inputs, thereby reducing the financial burden on small and marginal farmers who often fall into debt cycles due to expensive chemical fertilizers.
• Academic Integration: To offer Botany and Biotechnology students a "living laboratory" where they can apply theoretical knowledge of microbiology and plant pathology to solve real-world problems.
• Environmental Stewardship: To minimize the runoff of chemical pesticides and fertilizers into local water bodies, promoting an environmentally safe agricultural ecosystem.
4. Detailed Analysis of Outcomes
The impact of the project is measured through both tangible agricultural benefits and intangible educational growth.
A. Impact on the Farming Community
• Practical Knowledge Transfer: Farmers did not just receive products; they received training on the correct application methods, storage, and the science behind how these microbes interact with crop roots.
• Cost Efficiency: By substituting a portion of chemical inputs with college-produced or distributed bio-inputs, farmers reported a noticeable reduction in their initial investment per acre.
• Ecological Restoration: The targeted villages have seen a shift toward "Soil Life Enrichment," with participating farmers noting better root development and improved crop resilience against common soil diseases.
B. Impact on Student Development
• Extension Skills: Students learned the art of communication, translating complex scientific concepts into local dialects to effectively reach the farming community.
• Social Responsibility: The program instilled a sense of civic duty, aligning with the NSS motto of "Not Me, But You," as students worked directly for rural empowerment.
• Scientific Proficiency: Direct interaction with field pathogens and crop varieties enhanced the students' understanding of applied botany far beyond the confines of a traditional classroom.
5. Future Roadmap and Strategic Expansion
To ensure the sustainability of this initiative, the college has outlined an ambitious future scope:
• Infrastructure Development: A key goal is the establishment of a permanent local production unit for biofertilizers within the college campus. This would allow for year-round supply and potentially serve as a source of revenue for further research.
• Geographic and Collaborative Scaling: The college plans to expand its reach to more villages and formalize partnerships with NGOs, Government Agricultural Departments, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).
• Research and Entrepreneurship: There is a focus on encouraging students to launch agri-startups centered on organic inputs, fostering an entrepreneurial spirit within the science faculty.
• Demonstration Models: The development of Model Demonstration Farms will serve as living proof of the project's success, where skeptical farmers can observe the yield differences firsthand.
• Long-term Monitoring: The Department of Botany intends to document the long-term changes in soil carbon content and microbial diversity in the adopted villages over the next five years.
6. Conclusion
The distribution of Trichoderma and Mycorrhiza under the Organic Input Production Project is more than a simple giveaway; it is a catalyst for agricultural reform in the Amravati district. By harmonizing the resources of the DBT STAR College Scheme and the energy of the NSS, Shri Shivaji Science College has created a replicable model for rural empowerment. This initiative successfully aligns higher education with the pressing needs of the nation—ensuring that as science advances, the farmer at the grass-roots level is not left behind. The distribution of Trichoderma and Mycorrhiza under the Organic Input Production Project is more than a simple giveaway; it is a catalyst for agricultural reform in the Amravati district. By harmonizing the resources of the DBT STAR College Scheme and the energy of the NSS, Shri Shivaji Science College has created a replicable model for rural empowerment. This initiative successfully aligns higher education with the pressing needs of the nation—ensuring that as science advances, the farmer at the grass-roots level is not left behind. The distribution of Trichoderma and Mycorrhiza under the Organic Input Production Project is more than a simple giveaway; it is a catalyst for agricultural reform in the Amravati district. By harmonizing the resources of the DBT STAR College Scheme and the energy of the NSS, Shri Shivaji Science College has created a replicable model for rural empowerment. This initiative successfully aligns higher education with the pressing needs of the nation—ensuring that as science advances, the farmer at the grass-roots level is not left behind.
Outcomes:
- Practical Knowledge Transfer and Cost Efficiency
- Ecological Restoration:
- Impact on Student Development and
- Social Responsibility
- Scientific Proficiency:
Photos:
 Distribution of Trichoderma, Mycorrhiza, Organic Waste Decomposer, NPK to College Garden Plant |  Distribution of Trichoderma, Mycorrhiza, Organic Waste Decomposer, NPK to Farmer Visited |
 Distribution of Trichoderma, Mycorrhiza, Organic Waste Decomposer, NPK to Collage Flora and Maintanance |  Distribution of Trichoderma, Mycorrhiza, Organic Waste Decomposer, NPK to Collage Flora |
 Distribution of Trichoderma, Mycorrhiza, Organic Waste Decomposer, NPK to Shirala Farmer Visited |  Distribution of Trichoderma, Mycorrhiza, Organic Waste Decomposer, NPK to Shirala Farmer Visited |
Attendance Sheet:
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