ASTRA - 2026 - Bannari Amman Institute of Technology

Third National Conference on Advancements in Science and Technology for Regenerative Agriculture (ASTRA)

December 18–19, 2026

Organized by
Department of Agricultural Engineering

About BIT

Established in 1996 by the Bannari Amman Group, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology is one of the premier autonomous engineering institutions in Tamil Nadu, affiliated to Anna University and accredited by NAAC with an ‘A+’ Grade. Located in the serene foothills of the Western Ghats at Sathyamangalam, the institute is known for its excellence in engineering, technology, research, innovation, and industry-oriented education. BIT offers a vibrant academic and research ecosystem with state-of-the-art laboratories, innovation centres, funded research projects, and strong industry collaborations. The institute actively promotes interdisciplinary research, sustainable technologies, entrepreneurship, and community-oriented development initiatives aligned with national priorities such as Digital India, renewable energy, smart infrastructure, and sustainable rural development.

About the Department

The Department of Agricultural Engineering was established in 2015 and offers a 4-year B.Tech. degree programme in Agricultural Engineering. The department is equipped with state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and has qualified faculty and technical staff members. To impart practical knowledge of crop production from sowing to harvesting, the department has a 10-acre farm with a well-equipped plant breeding laboratory, greenhouses and an agrometeorological station. The Department of Agricultural Engineering is accredited by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) for 6 years (2022-2028: full accreditation) and is recognised by Anna University as a research centre for pursuing doctoral programmes.

About ASTRA-2026

National Conference on Advances in Science and Technology for Regenerative Agriculture (ASTRA-2026) is the third edition of the ASTRA conference series organized by the Department of Agricultural Engineering, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology (BIT), Sathyamangalam. Building upon the success of ASTRA-2023 and ASTRA-2024, the conference aims to provide a premier multidisciplinary platform for scientists, academicians, industry experts, entrepreneurs, policymakers, research scholars, and students to discuss emerging innovations that can accelerate the transition towards regenerative and climate-resilient agricultural systems. The conference will focus on integrating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital agriculture, remote sensing, biotechnology, circular bioeconomy, renewable energy, and sustainable resource management to address contemporary challenges in food production, soil health, water security, carbon sequestration, and ecosystem restoration. ASTRA-2026 seeks to foster scientific collaborations, technology transfer, policy dialogues, and actionable research outcomes that contribute to sustainable agricultural development and national priorities aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Call for Papers

We encourage academicians, students, and research scholars to submit their original technical papers on a variety of topics related to the main themes of the conference as given below for presentation and possible publication.

Theme #A: Climate-Smart and Regenerative Agroecosystems (CSRA)

Focus Areas: Regenerative agriculture, Soil health restoration, Carbon farming, Climate adaptation and mitigation, Biodiversity conservation, Nature-based solutions, Sustainable cropping systems

Theme #B: Artificial Intelligence and Digital Agriculture (AIDA)

Focus Areas: AI and machine learning in agriculture, Computer vision and robotics, Smart sensing technologies, Internet of Things (IoT), Agricultural data analytics, Decision support systems, Digital twins for farming

Theme #C: Precision Agriculture and Geospatial Intelligence (PAGI)

Focus Areas: Remote sensing, GIS applications, UAVs and drones, Satellite-based monitoring, Variable-rate technologies, Precision nutrient management, Yield prediction and crop monitoring

Theme #D: Water, Soil and Ecosystem Resilience (WSER)

Focus Areas: Water conservation technologies, Watershed management, Soil and water engineering, Groundwater sustainability, Ecosystem services, Land restoration, Sustainable irrigation systems

Theme #E: Circular Bioeconomy, Renewable Energy and Resource Recovery (CBER)

Focus Areas: Bioenergy and biomass utilization, Agricultural waste valorization, Circular economy, Biochar technologies, Renewable energy systems, Carbon-neutral farming, Resource recovery innovations

Theme #F: Sustainable Food Systems, Agri-Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SAFE)

Focus Areas: Smart food processing, Food security and nutrition, Agri-startups and innovation, Supply chain digitalization, Agribusiness models, Post-harvest technologies, Policy and market innovations

Abstract Scanner

Abstract Submission Guidelines

The authors are requested to initially submit an abstract of 100-150 words covering the problem statement, objectives, methodology and findings of their research work. The title page should essentially contain the title, author details (full name and affiliation of all authors), abstract, key words (max. 5), and the contact information of the corresponding author. The abstract may be submitted using the link given in the website.

Conference Presentation Guidelines

The corresponding author of the accepted abstract may register for the conference presentation using the link given in the website. At least one author of the registered abstract must be available for the presentation in order to get a participation certificate. Please note that only accepted and registered abstracts will be allowed for the conference presentation under the scheduled theme.

Paper Submission Guidelines

All accepted and registered abstracts will be published in the conference proceedings with ISBN registration. Further, upon acceptance of the abstract, the corresponding author may submit the full-length manuscript prepared in the given template as per the journal requirements. The selected papers will be proposed for publishing in good quality journals based on willingness of the authors. All papers submitted as per the guidelines will undergo double-blinded peer review and the acceptance will be based on the relevance, originality, contribution, validity, and presentation as agreed by the editorial board of the journals. Based on the recommendation from the editorial board, the camera-ready paper must be submitted for final acceptance.

Journals of Interest for Publication

Environmental Science and Pollution Research
Journal of Solid Waste Technology and Management
ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Important Dates

Last Date for Submission of Abstract : 01.11.2026
Last Date for Online Registration : 25.11.2026

Conference Registration Details

The registration fee should be paid in Demand Draft in favour of “The Principal, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology” payable at Sathyamangalam, or through Online payment mode with the following details:

Particulars	Details
A/C Name	BIT - Center for Advance Studies
A/C No	911010036862582
Account Type	Savings Account
Branch	Axis Bank, Sathyamangalam
IFSC Code	UTIB0000368

Upon payment of registration fee, the corresponding author should formally register using the link given in the website. The abstract ID and payment reference ID must be clearly mentioned during the registration.

Scan to Register

Conference Registration Link

Registration link : Click here to Register

Conference Fee Details

Registration fee for presenting authors (inclusive of GST)

Category	Fee
UG and PG students	INR 200/-
Research Scholars and Faculty	INR 500/-
Persons from Industry and Research Labs	INR 750/-

Advisory Committee

Dr Palanisamy C, Principal, BIT
Dr Sivakumar K, Dean (Administration), BIT
Dr Amarkarthik A, Dean (Academics & R&D), BIT

Conference Technical Committee

Dr Selvi Subramanian, PSG College of Technology Coimbatore
Dr Senthilkumar T, ICAR-CIAE-RC, Coimbatore
Dr Mahendran R, TNAU, Coimbatore
Dr Krishnakumar T, CTCRI, Thiruvananthapuram
Dr Senthilkumar Thiruppathi, Lethbridge College, Canada
Dr Chyngyz Erkinbaev, University of Manitoba, Canada
Dr Gabriela J S, San Jose State University, USA
Dr Manickkavasagan, University of Guelph, Canada
Dr Venkatachalam P, TNAU, Coimbatore (Retd.)
Dr Mohanasundaram S, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand

Organizing Secretary

Dr. V Chelladurai V, Assoc. Prof. & Head, Agri Engg, BIT

Conveners

Dr Vasudevan M, Assoc. Prof, Agri Engg, BIT
Dr Praveen Kumar D, Asst. Prof, Agri Engg, BIT

Coordinators

Dr Uvaraja V C, Prof, Agri Engg, BIT
Dr Vinoth Kumar J, Asst. Prof, Agri Engg, BIT
Dr Raghul S, Asst. Prof, Agri Engg, BIT
Prof Ananthi D, Asst. Prof, Agri Engg, BIT
Prof Muthukumaravel K, Asst. Prof, Agri Engg, BIT
Prof. A R Snekha, Asst. Prof, Agri Engg, BIT

For Details

Dr Vasudevan M

Associate Professor – Agri Engg, BIT Sathy

+91 7871694350

[email protected]