The National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela) has entered into a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Department of Space, Government of India, and Tea Board India (TBI), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, for collaborative research under the Advanced Research and Development project titled ‘चायांकन (CHAYANKAN): Comprehensive AI-based Geospatial Data Analytics for Tea Plantation Monitoring’.
The MoU was signed on 27 August 2026 at RRSC-East, NRSC, Kolkata. The three-year project, which commenced in April 2026, aims to develop advanced geospatial and artificial intelligence-based solutions for tea plantation mapping, yield estimation, and pest and disease forecasting.
The project will integrate multi-source remote sensing data from satellite and UAV platforms with ground-based observations, employing state-of-the-art machine learning techniques and modelling approaches. The initiative is expected to strengthen data-driven monitoring and management of tea plantations and support effective governance and decision-making in the sector.
The MoU signing ceremony was graced by Dr. Prakash Chauhan, Director, NRSC, who joined virtually; Shri S. Soundararajan, Director (Tea Development), Tea Board India; and Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao, Director, NIT Rourkela, who also participated virtually. Dr. Arindam Guha, Dy. General Manager, RRSC-East, NRSC, welcomed the dignitaries and participants.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Sushil Kumar Srivastav, Associate Director & Chief General Manager (Regional Centres), NRSC, ISRO; Dr. Amrita Chakraborty, Secretary, Tea Board India; and Prof. Saurav Chatterjee, Dean (SRICCE), NIT Rourkela, who signed virtually on behalf of the Institute.
The programme was attended by senior officials and scientists from all three organisations, including Dr. N. Aparna, Dy. Director (DD), Management System Area, NRSC; Dr. K. Chandrasekar, DD, Aerial Services & Data Management Area and Group Director, Programme Planning & Evaluation Group (PPEG), NRSC; Dr. Tanumi Kumar, Head, Applications, RRSC-East, NRSC; Dr. P. Satyanarayana, Head, Project Management Division, PPEG; Dr. Mahipal Singh, Director (Research), Tea Board India; Shri B. Paglavan, DD, Tea Board India; Shri Rakesh Kumar, DD, Tea Board India; and Prof. Rohan Dhiman, Registrar, NIT Rourkela.
A brief overview of the CHAYANKAN project was presented by Dr. Arati Paul, Principal Investigator of the project from RRSC-East, NRSC, along with the Co-PIs Dr. Anima Biswal and Ms. J. Nalini from NRSC, and Dr. Anup Nandy from NIT Rourkela.
The dignitaries highlighted the importance of the project in enabling technology-driven governance and scientific management of tea plantations through the application of geospatial technologies, remote sensing and artificial intelligence. The collaboration is expected to contribute to improved assessment of plantation health and productivity and facilitate timely forecasting of pest and disease risks.
The initiative marks a significant step towards strengthening inter-institutional research and technology collaboration among NIT Rourkela, ISRO and Tea Board India, while applying advanced digital technologies to address emerging challenges in the tea sector.