About the Department
- Established in the year 2014 with the intent of raising qualified Agricultural Engineers and Researchers who can make substantial contribution to the field of Agricultural Engineering.
- Twenty five percentage of faculty members having Ph.D., qualification
- The department offers four major specializations in Agricultural Engineering viz. Farm machinery and Power Engineering, Soil and Water Conservation Engineering and Post harvest process and food Engineering. Each has its unique and wide scope for research work.
- Publication in NAAS index / Scopus indexed Journals
- Consultancy work and social interactions
- Farm machinery and power , Post harvest Engineering Laboratory, Dairy Processing and Food Engineering Laboratory, Bio energy Laboratory and Irrigation laboratory facilities available
- Specially designed skill development programmes with support of industrial experts
- National and international conferences and courses
- Placement in core companies (Jain irrigation, Captain tractors, Escorts tractor )
- Various technical clubs such as Agricultural mechanization, Food processing club, and water harvesting and management club have been actively functioning to impart specialized knowledge and skills to the students in diverse domains.
- The nomenclature of B.E. Agriculture Engineering has been changed to B.Tech. Agricultural Engineering from the academic year 2022-2023 onwards.
- Most of the faculty members are members in various professional bodies like ISTE, IE(I), etc., and are actively participating in the activities of those professional bodies.
Programmes offered
- B.E. - Agriculture Engineering- 4 years
Vision & Mission
Vision
- To provide competent agricultural engineers and entrepreneurs to the industry and society through quality education
Mission
- To impart technical education through effective teaching-learning process
- To enhance students employability through mentoring various skill based activities
- To promote research activities with a focus on excellence and innovation to meet the global challenges
- To imbibe ethical and enterprising characters to become socially responsible citizens
PEO, PO and PSO
Program Educational Objectives (PEOs)
The graduates of will be able to
- PEO1: To provide a sound theoretical knowledge in engineering principles applied to agriculture.
- PEO2: To train and educate students with general knowledge and skills in agricultural water management, farm machinery and management, processing and energy management in agriculture.
- PEO3: To develop innovative capacity of students for increasing agricultural production with scarce water resources available.
- PEO4: To pursue higher education, research and entrepreneurship in agricultural and related fields.
- PEO5: To understand ethical issues and responsibility of serving the society and the environment at large.
Program Outcomes (POs)
Engineering Graduates will be able to:
- Engineering knowledge: Apply the knowledge of mathematics, science, engineering fundamentals, and an engineering specialization to the solution of complex engineering problems.
- Problem analysis: Identify, formulate, review research literature, and analyze complex engineering problems reaching substantiated conclusions using first principles of mathematics, natural sciences, and engineering sciences.
- Design/development of solutions: Design solutions for complex engineering problems and design system components or processes that meet the specified needs with appropriate consideration for the public health and safety, and the cultural, societal, and environmental considerations.
- Conduct investigations of complex problems: Use research-based knowledge and research methods including design of experiments, analysis and interpretation of data, and synthesis of the information to provide valid conclusions.
- Modern tool usage: Create, select, and apply appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering and IT tools including prediction and modeling to complex engineering activities with an understanding of the limitations.
- The Engineer and society: Apply reasoning informed by the contextual knowledge to assess societal, health, safety, legal and cultural issues and the consequent responsibilities relevant to the professional engineering practice.
- Environment and sustainability: Understand the impact of the professional engineering solutions in societal and environmental contexts, and demonstrate the knowledge of, and need for sustainable development.
- Ethics: Apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics and responsibilities and norms of the engineering practice.
- Individual and team work: Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader in diverse teams, and in multidisciplinary settings.
- Communication: Communicate effectively on complex engineering activities with the engineering community and with society at large, such as, being able to comprehend and write effective reports and design documentation, make effective presentations, and give and receive clear instructions.
- Project management and finance: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the engineering and management principles and apply these to one’s own work, as a member and leader in a team, to manage projects and in multidisciplinary environments.
- Life-long learning: Recognize the need for, and have the preparation and ability to engage in independent and life-long learning in the broadest context of technological change.
Programme Specific Outcomes (PSOs)
The students will demonstrate the abilities
- PSO1: To design, develop agricultural implements for effective and efficient agricultural production.
- PSO2: To engage in lifelong learning, commitment to quality and continuous improvement in agricultural production system.
- PSO3: Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.
- PSO4: Effectively use the technology in Farm mechanization.
Advisory Committee
Department Program Advisory Committee (DPAC)
| S.No | Member | Designation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr.P.Venkatachalam | Professor & Dean, Department of Agriculture Engineering |
| 2 | Mr.Paul Raj | Head, ETDC, Bangalore |
| 3 | Mr.P.Sellamuthu | Director General, IIEM |
| 4 | Dr.V.Shanmugam., | Dean,SMS |
| 5 | Dr. T. Jesudas, | Professor, Dept of Mechatronics |
| 6 | Dr. R. Thanigaivelan, | Professor, Dept of Mechanical Engg |
| 7 | Dr. K. Vidhya,. | Professor, Dept of Civil Engg |
| 8 | Dr. S. Umamaheswari, | Professor, Dept of EEE |
Board of Studies
Members of the Board of Studies
| S.No | Name of the BoS Member | Address | BoS Designation |
| 1. | Dr.KR. Kalphana Associate Professor and Head |
Department of Agriculture Engineering Mahendra Engineering College Mallasamudram, Namakkal-637503. hodagri@mahendra.info |
Board Chairperson |
| 2. | Dr. M. Krishnaveni Director & Professor |
Institute for Ocean Management Anna University Guindy Campus Chennai mkveni@annauniv.edu, |
University Nominee |
| 3. | Dr. P. Venkatachalam Director |
MIT Institution Musiri pvenkat55@yahoo.co.uk |
Academic Expert |
| 4. | Mr. P. Sellamuthu Director General |
Indian Institute of Energy Management, No 6, First crescent park road, Gandhi Nagar, Adayar, Chennai. psellamuthu@gmail.com |
Industry Expert |
| 5. | Mr. K. Karthik Ram CEO |
M/S Ramkumar Industries 57, Vellaikinar Road, Coimbatore-641029 rki1969@gmail.com |
Industry Expert |
| 6. | Dr. V. Shanmugam, Dean |
Dean-School of Mechanical Sciences, Mahendra Engineering College. shanmugamv@mahendra.info |
Allied Department |
| 7. | Dr. K. Vidhya Professor and Head |
Department of Civil Engineering Mahendra Engineering College Mallasamudram, Namakkal-637503. hodcivil@mahendra.info |
Allied Department |
| 8 | Dr.V. Dhineshkumar Assistant Professor |
Central University of Rajasthan, Rajasthan dineshkumarv@mahendra.info |
Academic Expert |
| 9. | Dr.V. Poonguzhali Associate Professor |
Department of Agriculture Engineering Mahendra Engineering College, Mallasamudram, Namakkal-637503. |
Internal Senior Faculty |
| 10. | Ms. S. Anitha Assistant Processor |
Department of Agriculture Engineering Mahendra Engineering College, Mallasamudram, Namakkal-637503. |
Internal Senior Faculty |
| 11 | S. Gayan | Project Assignee TAFE Private Limited Chennai. |
Alumini |
| 12. | R.Suresh | 1/218 ,PettaiyanKottai. Nerimedu Road, Krishnagiri |
Alumini |
| 13. | Deepak | Final Year, Agriculture Engineering Mahendra Engineering College |
Student |
Board of Studies Meeting
Laboratory
Bio energy laboratory
Major Equipment
- Solar water heater
- Solar tunnel dryer
- Hot air oven
- Muffle furnace
- Biogas plant: i. KVIC model, ii. Deenabandhu model
- Windmill model
Capabilities
- Understanding of working principle of Solar water heater, Solar tunnel dryer, Hot air oven and Muffle furnace
- Understanding of components and working principles of Biogas plants through KVIC model and Deenabandhu model
Utilization
- Bio energy Laboratory for third year Agriculture Engineering Students
Laboratory In-charges
- Ms.S.Anitha
Farm Power and Machinery Laboratory
Major Equipment
- Tractor
- Power tiller
- Seed drill
- 9 tyne cultivator
- Knapsack sprayer
- Turmeric harvester
Capabilities
- Identification of components of tractor, their maintenance and study of safety aspects while operating the tractor and power tiller
- Identification, operation, maintenance and study of Primary and secondary tillage equipments
- Identification, operation, maintenance and study of sowing equipments
- Identification, operation, maintenance and study of Intercultural equipments
- Identification, operation, maintenance and study of Plant protection equipments
- Identification, operation, maintenance and study of harvesting equipments
Utilization
- Agricultural Engineering practices laboratory for first year students
- Operation maintenance of farm machinery laboratory for third year students
- Testing and management of farm machinery for final year students
Laboratory In-charges
- Dr.P.Tamilselvi
- Mr.V.Natraj
Post Harvest Engineering Laboratory
Major Equipment
- Digital moisture meter
- Porosity apparatus
- Coefficient of friction apparatus
- Angle of repose apparatus
- Paddy thresher
- Paddy winnower
- Groundnut decorticator
- Maize sheller
- LSU drier
- Fludized bed drier
- Bucket elevator
- Screw conveyor
- Rubber roll sheller model
- Soxlet apparatus
- Water bath
Capabilities
- Understanding the working principles of coefficient of friction, angle of repose, digital moisture meter and porosity apparatus.
- Understanding the working principles of Groundnut decorticator, Paddy thresher and Paddy winnower
- Understanding the working principles of grain dryers and Shellers
Utilization
- Post harvest technology laboratory for second year students
- Food and Dairy engineering laboratory for third year students
Laboratory In-charges
- Dr.V.Dhinesh kumar
- Ms. B.Kamalapreetha
- Mr.V.Natraj
Agricultural Engineering Practices Laboratory
Major Equipment
- Meteorological instruments
- Automatic Weather station
- Soil EC, Ph, and TDS meter
- Digital Soil moisture meter
- Tensiometer
- Seed growth Germinator
- Drip and Sprinkler setup with all features
Capabilities
- To understand the concepts and working principles of Meteorological instruments, Automatic weather station, soil parameters and Modern Irrigation equipments
Utilization
- Agricultural Engineering practices laboratory for first year students
Strength of Materials Laboratory
Major Equipment
- UTM of minimum 400 KN
- Torsion testing machine for steel rods
- Izod impact testing machine
- Charpy/Izod impact testing machine
- Hardness testing machine Rockwell and Brinnel
- Beam deflection test apparatus
- Extensometer
Capabilities
- Demonstrating the basic principles in the area of strength and mechanics of materials and structural analysis to the undergraduate students through a series of experiments
Utilization
- Strength of materials laboratory for second year students
Surveying Laboratory
Major Equipment
- Total station
- Theodolite
- Leveling instruments
- Plane table
- Pocket stereoscope
- Prism square
- Optical square
- Prismatic compass
- GPS
- Dumpy level
Capabilities
- To find out the Cross section, Longitudinal section, length, height, angle and location of agricultural land.
- To draw the Contour mapping of agricultural field
Utilization
- Surveying laboratory for second year students
Fluid mechanics and hydraulics Laboratory
Major Equipment
- Rotometer
- Venturimeter and Orifice meter
- Flow through variable duct area - Bernoulli‟s Experiment
- Flow through Orifice, Mouthpiece and Notches
- Centrifugal pumps
- Gear pump
- Submersible pump
- Reciprocating pump
- Pelton wheel turbine
- Francis turbine
Capabilities
- To understand the concepts and working principles of pipes, pumps and turbines.
- To calculate the efficiency of various Pumps and turbines
Utilization
- Fluid mechanics and hydraulics laboratory for second year students
Food and Dairy Engineering Laboratory
Major Equipment
- Auto clave
- Laminar flow chamber
- Microwave oven
- Hot air oven
- Hand refractometer
- Soxhlet apparatus
- Microwave oven
- Spectrophotometer
- Butter Churner
- Cream Separator
Capabilities
- Understanding the components and working principle of various food and dairy equipments
Utilization
- Food and Dairy engineering laboratory for third year students
Other laboratories
Design and drawing of agricultural equipments, machineries and structures
- Drawing of farm structures Laboratory
- CAD for Agricultural Machinery
- GIS Laboratory for Agricultural Engineers
Agricultural practices
- Crop husbandry Laboratory
Farm Power and Machinery Laboratory
Laboratory In-charges
- Dr.V.Poonguzhali
- Mr.S. Anand
Post Harvest Engineering Laboratory
Laboratory In-charges
- Mrs C.N.S.Swathi
- Mr.S. Anand
Faculty & Staff
| S.NO | NAME OF THE FACULTY | DESIGNATION | QUALIFICATION |
| 1 | Dr. K R Kalphana | HOD | Ph.D |
| 2 | Dr. V Poonguzhali | AP | Ph.D |
| 3 | Ms. S Anitha | AP | M.Tech |
| 4 | Mr. K Ganeshmoorthy | AP | M.S |
| 5 | Mr. S Anand | AP | M.Sc |
| 6 | Mrs. C N S Swathi | AP | M.Sc |
| 7 | Mr. N Elamvaluthi | AP | M.E |
| 8 | Dr. T Kiruthika | AP | Ph.D |
| 9 | Mr. A Kamalahasan | AP | M.Tech |
| 10 | Mr. R Satheesh | AP | M.Sc |
| 11 | Mr. K Senthilkumar | AP | M.E |
| 12 | Mr. P Senthil | AP | M.E |
| Sl. No | Name of the faculty | No. of research publication |
| 1 | SARANYA .P | 1 |
| 2 | VENKATACHALAM .P | 60 |
| 3 | POONGUZHALI. V | 1 |
| 4 | SARAVANAKUMAR. S | - |
| 5 | DHINESHKUMAR.V | 30 |
| 6 | ANITHA .S | - |
| 7 | ANITHA .K | 1 |
| 8 | GANESHMOORTHY. K | - |
| 9 | SWATHI .C.N.S | 1 |
| S.No | Name of the Supporting Staff | Qualification | Designation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Natraj V | D.A.E (Agri) | Lab technician |
| 2 | Devasena J | B.Sc (Agriculture) | Lab technician |
Credentials
Credentials of the Department
- Three faculty members have completed Ph.D degree and 1 faculty is currently pursuing Ph.D in the last three academic years 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17.
- Department have organized Two day Agri Fest Entitled “Uzavar Vizha” for the benefit of the farmers, growing entrepreneur and the students focusing the trends in the agricultural system.
- Two students received the funding for the ideas submitted to MSME under the scheme ”Support for entrepreneurial and managerial development of SME’s through Incubators”
- Students have developed various models of agricultural systems under sub categories namely Heritage, Kitchen gardening, Integrated Farming, Watershed management, Bio energy and Dream Agriculture
- Faculties have submitted research proposal to various funding agencies like DST, TANSCST, MSME.
- Various technical training, workshops and seminar have been conducted in the department for the developing the technical skills and credentials of the students to become the successful agricultural engineers.
- Our Students have undergone Internship in various reputed Private Industries / Organizations.
- All the students are undergoing skill development programmes like soft skills, communication skills, aptitude and logical reasoning , group discussions and technical interview skills
- Faculty members are life membership in Professional Bodies like IE(I), ISTE & chapters
CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
Short-Term Courses
Events
Academic year: 2018-19 (ODD & EVEN):
| S.No | Date(s) of the Event | Type of Event | Name of the Event | Resource Person Name & Designation |
| 1. | 9.10.2021 | Seminar | “Advanced Technology in Farm Mechanization – India” | Dr. T. SENTHILKUMAR Principal Scientist (Farm Machinery and Power) ICAR – Central Institute of AgriEngg, Regional Centre, Coimbatore. |
| 2. | 12.10.2021 | Webinar | “Career Opportunities for agricultural engineers” | Dr. M.M.PRAGALYAASHREE,M.Tech PhD Assistant professor, Food processing Technology, Karunya Institute of Science and Technology Coimbatore |
| 3. | 11.11.2021 | Webinar | “The importance of hydraulics structures for society” | Mrs. K.KAVITHA RANI Assistant exrecutive Engineer PWD/Water resource Department ,Salem . |
| 4. | 6.10.2021 | Guest lecture | “Agricultural Engineering – Past, Present and Future” | Dr.P.VENKATACHALAM Director (R&E), MIT College of Agricultural Technology, Musiri And Former Dean and Professor Tamilnadu Agricultural University |
| 5. | 21.10.2021 | International lecture | “Applications of Novel and Emerging Non-thermal Processing Technologies” | DR.KATHIRAVAN KRISHNAMURTHY, PhD Clinical Assistant professor Department of Food Science and Nutrition Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, United States . |
| 6. | 30.11.2021 | NIT / IIT Lecture Series | “Advancements, new challenging and novelty about the harvesting equipment” | Dr. P. SATHIYA Professor Department of production Engineering National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappali |
| 7. | 23.10.2021 | Mails | “Placement awarenessin agriculture engineering” | Mr. R.GUNASEELAN Alumni (2014-2018) |
| 8. | 29.10.2021 | Mails | “Recent trends in micro irrigation system” | Er. A.ARIVANANTHAN, District Manager, Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd, |
Programmes Organized During EVEN Semester 2021-22
| S.No | Date(s) of the Event | Name of the Event | Resource Person Name & Designation | |
| 1 | 02.02.2022 | Webinar | Agri engineering start-ups – “The big Opportunity, Challenge and the Thrill” | RAJKUMAR ARUMUGAM, Founder & Director, Renaaissance Power Products Private limited, Coimbaore. |
| 2 | 18.03.2022 | MAILS | Career Guidance of Agriculture Technology for Agriculture Engineer | Mr. NirmalKaliannan Agtech Engineer Digiteinfotech Pvt Ltd Bangalore 8870880787 Nirmal.kaliannan@digite.com |
| 3 | 22.03.2022 | Guest lecture | Advanced technologies for manufacturing plant based dairy alternative. | Mr.SureshChander C.R. New Product Development and Applications Team Head, Arboreal Bioinnovations |
| 4 | 28.03.2022 | NIT / IIT Lecture Series | Ocean Engineering: An Introductory Overview | Dr.SrineashVijaya Kumar Room No:142, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai – 400076. |
| 5 | 29.03.2022 | Webinar | Agri Engineering Startups“ Energy saving opportunity in Domestic and Agri based equipments by using Solar power plant”. | Mr. Sivakumar. S Petroleum Conservation Research Association, Southern Region office, BSNL building Tower – 2, Ground Floor, No. 16, Greams road, Chennai - 600006 |
| 6 | 30.03.2022 | MAILS | Entrepreneurship Opportunities and Skills in Agriculture Sector | Mr. K. Sasikumar Lecturer Department of Agricultural Technology, Thiyagarajar Polytechnic College, Salem. 7402757517 sasikumar.agricultureengineer@gmail.com |
| 7 | 22.04.2022 | Webinar | World Earth Day 2022 – Invest in our planet | Dr. S. Chandran Associate Professor Department of Civil Engineering, Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai – 15. |
| 8 | 06.05.2022 | Webinar | Information Technology Application in Farm Mechanization | Mr. Ramesh Kumar Sahni Scientist (Farm Machinery & Power) ICAR-CIAE, Bhopal Research Scholar at Washington university, WA, USA |
RESEARCH AND CONSULTANCY WORK
- Design and development of Seed Dibbler funded by MSME through Support for entrepreneurial and managerial development of SME's through Incubators
Mous
Memorandum of Understanding signed during last three academic years 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-2017
| S.No. | Name of organization | Domain / Area of Activities | Contribution | Activities & Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ESCORTS Ltd, | Tractor and implements | Technical Training | Opportunities are provided to the students Internship, Training, Project works and Research for the Agriculture professional student |
| 2 | IMTI | Irrigation and Watershed management | Technical training | Students and faculties are trained in Irrigation and Watershed management |
Contact
Department of Agriculture Engineering
Mahendra Engineering College (Autonomous),
Salem- Thiruchengode Highway, Mahendhirapuri,
Mallasamudram,
Namakkal-637503,
E-Mail id: hodagri@mahendra.info