MoU Signed Between Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology and Shriram Bioseed Genetics, Hyderabad

Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology (MPUAT), Udaipur has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Shriram Bioseed Genetics, Hyderabad, a leading seed production company under DCM Shriram Limited, for the production of breeder seeds of Pratap Hybrid Maize-6. MPUAT will produce the breeder seeds of the hybrid maize variety developed by the university and supply them to Shriram Bioseed Genetics. In return, Shriram Bioseed Genetics will pay MPUAT an annual royalty of 4% on seed sales for three years, in addition to a registration fee of INR 2.5 lakh.

Under this agreement, the hybrid maize variety "Pratap Hybrid Maize-6" developed by MPUAT will be produced on a large scale by the company and made available to farmers. The university will provide the breeder seeds of this variety to the company.

The MoU was signed in the presence of the Honorable Vice Chancellor of MPUAT, Dr. Ajit Kumar Karnataka. The agreement was signed by the Director of Research, Dr. Arvind Verma, and the Executive Director and Business Head Representative of Shriram Bioseed Genetics, Mr. Shrikant Shinde.

On this occasion, Dr. Karnataka highlighted that the collaboration with a private company will help in reaching more farmers with the high-yielding and quality variety developed by the university, thereby benefiting the farmers. He also mentioned that both institutions will work together in the field of research, which will also increase the university's revenue.

Dr. Verma, the Director of Research, stated that Pratap Hybrid Maize-6 was developed in 2024 by the All India Coordinated Maize Improvement Project, MPUAT, and is suitable for Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Gujarat.

Mr. Shrikant Shinde of Shriram Bioseed Genetics explained that Rajasthan requires around 2.5 lakh quintals of quality maize seeds, with the seed replacement rate being only 50-55%. This agreement will provide farmers with high-quality seeds. Dr. R.B. Dubey, the co-director of research (seeds) and breeder of this maize variety, mentioned that Pratap Hybrid Maize-6 is a yellow-grain variety that matures early (84-85 days), is suitable for both irrigated and rainfed areas, and has a yield potential of 66.0 quintals per hectare. The plant remains green even after the crop matures, and the variety shows partial resistance to leaf blight, post-flowering stalk rot, and Rajasthan downy mildew.

Senior members of the university's officer council were also present during the signing of the MoU.