2^nd SPIE Visiting Lecture Programme has organized by the Department of Physics on 19.12.2013.

Dr. Sarun Sumriddetchkajorn is a Principal Researcher/Director at National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), Thailand. As part of the SPIE visiting lecture program he delivered a lecture on ‘Photonics in Agriculture’ to students of Vidya Jyothi Institute of Technology (VJIT).

With increased economic activity, high population growth rate and environmental concerns, there is a great need to revive and revamp the agriculture sector in our country. Dr. Sarun introduced the audience to the term Precision Agriculture, which is about whole farm management with the goal of optimizing returns on inputs while preserving resources; and emphasized on the major problems confronting agriculture today including, but not limited to, population pressure, smaller holdings, depleted nutrient levels in soil, poor storage facilities, inefficient and lack of modern technology.

He stressed on how a multidisciplinary approach can be applied to agriculture and elaborated specifically on how photonics can be used to revolutionize the agriculture sector. He also cited various examples of studies, research and commercial scale implementation of various techniques that have been tried and successfully tested around the world.

The audience listened to his speech with rapt attention and appreciated every bit of insight they gained during  the session, which was evident in the rousing applause the speaker received at the end of his lecture.