Udaipur : Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology (MPUAT) has signed a historic agreement with six seed companies on September 11, 2024, for the production of the hybrid maize variety, Pratap Sankara Makka-6. This is the first time in the university’s history that such an agreement has been signed with so many companies simultaneously.
The companies that have signed the agreement include Indo US Biotech (Gujarat), Chakra Seeds, Sampurna Seeds, Sri Lakshmi Venkteshwara Seeds, Murlidhar Seeds Corporation (Andhra Pradesh), and Mahankaleshwara AgriTech Private Limited (Telangana).
This agreement is related to providing parental seeds of Pratap Sankara Makka-6, a maize variety developed by the university. By signing agreements with six seed companies from different states, the university has demonstrated the high quality of this variety.
The Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Ajit Kumar Karnataka, stated that Pratap Sankara Makka-6 can yield between 62 and 65 quintals per hectare, and even more under favorable conditions. He added that this variety can be used both as grain and fodder. The university will provide the parental line seeds of Pratap Sankara Makka-6 to seed companies at a rate of Rs. 40,000 per quintal, and in return, the companies will pay the university Rs. 2.5 lakh along with a 4% royalty.
The Director of Research, Dr. Arvind Verma, informed that Pratap Sankara Makka-6 has been tested at 22 centers across the country and has proven to be superior. This variety has been approved for Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Gujarat.
Professor R.B. Dube, the senior breeder and Dean of the College of Agriculture, Udaipur, explained that Pratap Sankara Makka-6 is an early-maturing variety with yellow and bold grains. It is suitable for both irrigated and unirrigated areas and is resistant to diseases like stalk rot, nematodes, and stem borers.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
