The Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering & Research (SAMEER), an R&D institute under MeitY, Government of India, has entered into a Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreement with Toshniwal Hyvac Pvt. Ltd. and Sir Automation Industries. The agreement pertains to the Microwave-based in-situ BRIX measurement system, facilitating large-scale manufacturing of this technology. The official Technology Transfer ceremony took place in Mumbai, in the presence of S. Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY.
This advanced Sugar Content Measurement (SCORE) system, developed by SAMEER, has been handed over to these two private companies to ensure mass production. The Microwave-Based Brix Measurement System, a state-of-the-art innovation, offers a quick, non-destructive, and precise method for determining the sugar concentration (Brix) directly in sugar mills during production.
This initiative aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan” to promote indigenous technology development for the benefit of sugarcane farmers (Ganna Kisan) and the broader sugar production industry in India.
During the event, Secretary S. Krishnan emphasized that the Microwave-based Brix measurement technology developed by SAMEER is crucial in helping sugarcane farmers produce syrup more accurately and efficiently. He further highlighted that MeitY prioritizes the development of indigenous technologies across all ICT sectors, including agriculture.
The R&D efforts of the Ministry, particularly those by SAMEER, aim to enhance living standards, ensure safety, save energy, and reduce carbon footprints. He also praised the scientists at SAMEER for their dedication in creating a compact and cost-effective Microwave-based BRIX meter for the sugar industry, tailored to Indian-specific needs.
The Secretary encouraged R&D institutes like SAMEER to continue offering retrofitting technologies to traditional industries. Dr P. Hanumantha Rao, Director General of SAMEER, called the event a significant milestone in SAMEER’s ongoing efforts to apply microwave technology to the agricultural and industrial food processing sectors in India.
Dr Rao noted that SAMEER has been actively involved in advanced Radio Frequency (RF) and microwave research initiatives funded by MeitY, with the “Make in India” project aiming to assist sugarcane farmers by improving production efficiency and accuracy in BRIX measurement.
The successful Technology Transfer of the Microwave-Based Brix Measurement System marks a key achievement in this project, signifying the transition of cutting-edge research from SAMEER’s team to industry partners and stakeholders for innovative and impactful applications.
Dr Rao expressed confidence that this technology has the potential to revolutionize the sugar industry. The technology underwent testing and trials at Shri Sant Tukaram Sugar Factory in Pune and received validation from the Vasant Dada Sugar Institute in Pune.
Other notable attendees included Prof R. Prakash from Anna University, Chennai, who led the Project Review and Steering Group for this technology, Dr R. V. Dani, Technical Adviser and Head of the Sugar Technology Division at VSI, Smt. Sunita Verma, Group Coordinator for R&D at MeitY, as well as representatives from the two private manufacturing companies and senior scientists from SAMEER.
The Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research (SAMEER) is a leading research and development organization operating under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India. SAMEER focuses on advancing research, innovation, and commercialization in the fields of microwave electronics, electromagnetic technology, and related domains.
