Report on

Guest Lecture: “Microbes-Based Agriculture: A Way Forward for Healthy and Sustainable Growth”

Date of Event: 20^th September 2025

Organised by: Maharishi School of Agriculture in association with IQAC

Objective: The Maharishi School of Agriculture at MUIT, Lucknow Campus, in association with IQAC, conducted a guest lecture on “Microbes-Based Agriculture: A Way Forward for Healthy and Sustainable Growth” on 20th September 2025. The primary objective of the lecture was to provide B. Sc. (Hons) Agriculture and M.Sc. Agriculture students with a comprehensive understanding of the role of beneficial microbes in promoting sustainable farming practices. The session aimed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and field-level application, encouraging students to adopt innovative, eco-friendly agricultural methods essential for achieving long-term soil health, crop productivity, and environmental sustainability in today’s evolving agri-sector.

Participating Students: B.Sc. (Hons) Agriculture and  M.Sc.  Agriculture  students.

Event Details: The lecture was delivered by the esteemed Dr. Sanjay Kumar Goswami, Principal Scientist at the Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research (IISR), Lucknow, and a recognized expert in microbial and sustainable agricultural practices. The event began with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, followed by welcome address by Dr. Neeraj Jain, Dean Academics, MUIT Lucknow Campus, followed by felicitation of Dr. Goswami.

During the session, Dr. Goswami explained how beneficial microbes improve soil fertility and support natural crop growth. He highlighted the use of biofertilizers and biopesticides as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical inputs and shared practical examples of microbial applications in modern farming.

He also spoke about the future potential of microbe-based agriculture in ensuring global food security and encouraged students to explore sustainable solutions in the agri-sector. The session was highly interactive, with enthusiastic student participation and one-on-one discussions, making it a truly enriching learning experience. The session concluded with vote of thanks by Mrs. Pragya Tiwari.

Students’ feedback: The feedback from the students was overwhelmingly positive. Many expressed that Dr. Goswami’s lecture was both informative and inspiring, providing them with practical knowledge that extended beyond textbook learning. The emphasis on real-life applications of microbial technology in agriculture was especially appreciated. Students found the interactive Q&A session highly engaging, and the opportunity for one-on-one interaction with Dr. Goswami was particularly valued.

Acknowledgements: We extend our sincere gratitude to Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Bhanu Pratap Singh, Registrar Dr. Girish Chhimwal, Dean Academics Dr. Neeraj Jain, Deputy Dean Academics Dr. Kalyan Acharjya, Dean MSOA Dr. Dheeraj Yadav, Deputy Dean MSOA Mrs. Pragya Tiwari, Convener Dr. Bhupesh Kumar Mishra, all the faculty members of MSOA, Sr. AO Dr. Rajesh Singh, and the IT team for their valuable support and encouragement in organizing this event.