By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Pantnagar, 22 Feb: The three-day 17th Agriculture Science Congress concluded today at GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, here, in the presence of Chief Guest MP Ajay Bhatt. Vice President, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Dr PK Joshi and Padma Shri awardee Dr BS Dhillon, Foreign Secretary of the Academy Dr Karim Meredia and Secretaries Dr Wazir Singh Lakra and Dr Ashok Kumar Singh, Vice-Chancellor of the University and Convener of the Congress, Dr Manmohan Singh Chauhan, and Organising Secretary Dr AS Nain were present on the stage. MP Bhatt visited the stalls set up by various public and private sector institutions in the Krishi Vigyan Exhibition along with Vice Chancellor Dr Manmohan Singh Chauhan and other officials. Thereafter, he addressed the officials, scientists, students and farmers present in this conference.
He appreciated the successful organisation of the Agriculture Science Congress. He thanked the Vice-Chancellor of the University and his team. He said that scientists and farmers are an important part of nutritious food grain production. The amalgamation of advanced techniques and innovations in the Agriculture Science Congress will create a new thinking and it will find solutions to the challenges faced by the farmers. Appreciating the convener and the Vice-Chancellor, he said that organising such a huge congress at the birthplace of the Green Revolution is a big challenge in which scientists from not only the country but also from abroad have participated in large numbers. He said that the participants have gained knowledge of new techniques and innovations through various sessions, workshops and seminars organised in the congress. He expressed happiness over the selection of 65 students by various institutions during the congress and hoped that such events would be organised in future as well. He said that due to the coordination between scientists and farmers, today India is not only self-sufficient in the field of food grains but is in a position to export to other countries.
Convener and Vice-Chancellor Dr Manmohan Singh Chauhan welcomed the Chief Guest, dignitaries, officers, scientists, students and farmers present in the auditorium. He specially welcomed the scientists participating from 16 countries.
Dr BS Dhillon highlighted the important need for convergence between agricultural research and field applications. He said that to truly transform the agriculture sector, it is essential to bridge the gap between research institutes and farmers. Scientific advancements should reach the grassroots level so that farmers can adopt innovative, sustainable and profitable agricultural practices. He also emphasised the importance of climate-resilient agriculture and called for collective efforts to tackle challenges such as soil degradation, water scarcity and impact of climate change on crop productivity.
Dr Wazir Singh Lakra said that the participation was the highest in comparison to all the previous conferences. The conveners of the three technical sessions, Dr V Venkateshwarlu, former Vice Chancellor; Dr RC Agarwal, former Deputy Director General (Agricultural Education), Indian Council of Agricultural Research, and Dr Karim Meredia, Foreign Secretary of the Academy, presented the recommendations of those technical sessions. Dr Lakra highlighted the subject of Elocution Contest at the national level and honoured three winners. The first winner Tarun Kapoor also presented his research, on the basis of which he got the first place.
The Director, Research and Organising Secretary, also announced the exhibition and posters awards. The Vice President of the Academy, Dr PK Joshi, said that Pantnagar Agricultural University has set new records in this conference. The ‘Pantnagar Declaration’ was also presented by him.
Academy Secretary Dr Ashok Kumar Singh thanked the Academy’s President, Vice President, Secretary and all the dignitaries present on the stage and the Vice Chancellor and Director Research of the University and those who contributed in making this conference successful.
Organising Secretary Dr AS Nain also expressed his gratitude.
