SVKM's NMIMS School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SAST) hosted a Scientist-Farmer Interface in Balde village, Shirpur Taluka, Dhule district, Maharashtra, on December 23, 2022, in honour of National Farmers Day. Attendees included the former ZP member and Sarpanch Jitendra Kuwar, the current Deputy Sarpanch Nimba Dada Patil, the Chairman of the Cooperative Society, and the Police Patil, Vitthal Patil.

Participants included SAST faculty members Drs. Krishna Chaitanya, K.V. Patil, Mohammad Faisal, and Nitin Misal, as well as RAWE students from SAST and a number of farmers.

The importance of National Farmers' Day and the farming community's role in ensuring the nation's food and nutritional security as well as their economic contributions were discussed by Dr. K. V. Patil, (RAWE Co-ordinator). He also provided information about a rural agricultural work experience programme operating in the areas near Balde. He explained how the students were working as a link between the scientists and farmers to spread new ideas and methods.

In addition, plant pathologist Dr. Mohammed Faisal showed off a variety of mushroom species, spawn, and packaging. Aside from describing the myriad ways in which mushroom products can be processed and put to use in the Indian market, he also stressed the economic benefits that mushroom cultivation can have for the local community. Samples of mushrooms were given out to the locals. He declared that mushroom seeds and fruit were conveniently located at the Shirpur Campus of the NMIMS.

Dr. Nitin Misal, a soil scientist, discussed the significance of healthy soil and the harm done to healthy soil by careless use of fertilisers and mismanagement of irrigation water. He went on to extol the benefits of soil testing and recommended the village's farmers to have their fields tested at least once before planting.

In a later Q&A session led by Dr. K.V. Patil and RAWE students, the farmers elaborated on their concerns and outlined their goals. They talked about specific problems they were having with their crops and the pests and diseases that were affecting them.

Regarding SAST

On the Shirpur campus, the School of Agricultural Sciences & Technology (SAST) will officially open for the 2019–20 school year in July. SAST has developed a comprehensive and effective agricultural education programme in accordance with ICAR standards, taking into account all relevant factors. Its stated mission is to "produce socially responsible, self-motivated graduates in the field of agriculture" through its exceptional Agricultural Education, Research, and Extension programmes. The institution's mission is to cultivate agricultural leaders and innovators by employing an interdisciplinary approach to agricultural education.