By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Pantnagar, 21 Feb: On the second day of the 17th Agriculture Science Congress being organised during 20-22 February by the GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, under the aegis of National Academy of Agriculture Sciences (NAAS), Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated a large agricultural science exhibition. He visited the stalls set up by various institutions of the public and private sector along with Vice-Chancellor Dr Manmohan Singh Chauhan and other officials. Thereafter, he addressed a huge gathering of officials, scientists, students and farmers present at the congress, where about three thousand people were present. In his address, he appreciated the relevance of organising the Agriculture Science Congress. He thanked the NAAS for organising the 17th Agricultural Science Congress at Pantnagar University. He emphasised the relevance of innovations in the field of agriculture and outlined the government’s schemes in favour of farmers. He added that the Uttarakhand government is committed to the development of the agricultural sector. The state government is running many schemes in the interest of farmers, so that they can increase their income by adopting modern agricultural techniques. He called upon agricultural universities and scientists to work together with farmers, so that innovations can be taken to the grassroots level.
The conference convener and Vice-Chancellor Dr Manmohan Singh Chauhan first welcomed Chief Guest Dhami and other dignitaries present at the Congress and highlighted the achievements of the university. He said that efforts are being made to double the income of farmers through innovation and research in the agricultural sector. He praised the Uttarakhand Government for banning paddy plantation in the summer season because due to summer paddy not only ground water level was declining but also insect infestation was also increasing because of continuous paddy plantation. To control the insects, insecticides were spread frequently which was polluting the environment. Now, ban on summer paddy cultivation will not only help in sustaining the ground water level but also reduce environmental pollution. He also informed the gathering that scientists from 16 countries viz., USA, Australia, Canada, France, UK, UK, Germany, Italy, Romania, Slovenia, Thailand, Fiji, Morocco, Zambia, Oman and Nepal are participating in this ‘Krishi Kumbh’. Apart from this, representatives of the industry and progressive farmers are also participating.
Progressive farmers were felicitated during the programme. The felicitated farmers included Vice-President of Farmers’ Commission, Rajpal Singh, and others, namely, Balwinder Singh, Suresh Rana, Amrit Pal, Narendra Mehra and Kavita Devi, who have made significant contribution in the field of agriculture.
In the closing ceremony, Director Research and Organising Secretary Dr AS Nain proposed the vote of thanks. Various technical sessions were organized on 11 topics since morning.
On 22 February, the Chief Guest at the closing ceremony will be State Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Ganesh Joshi.
