Global Conference on “Harnessing Indian Agriculture for Domestic and Global Prosperity” to establish on sustainable notes opened

Marking the success of Indian Agriculture self sufficiency in 75 years after independence as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsava, the International Conference on “Harnessing Indian Agriculture for Indigenous and Global Prosperity ” 2022 opened in a graceful ceremony, on Friday.
Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar presided over the programme.
Maneesh Gobin, Attorney General, Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security. Mauritius graced the occasion as Chief Guest.
Other dignitaries viz. Dinesh Kulkarni, National Organization Secretary, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, Dr Jalpathi Rao, All India Chairman, BAERC, Dr T Mohapatra, Secretary DARE and Director General, ICAR, Dr AK Singh, DDG ICAR and Dr Makarand Karkare, BAERC shared the dais. At the outset Chief Guest accompanied by programme president, Union Minister, Tomar and other dignitaries lit lamp to mark the opening of conference. The proceedings were conducted by Dr Ashutosh Murkute, Principal Scientist, ICAR – CCRI, Nagpur

Inaugural speech by Padmashree Professor Ratan Lal, USA, winner of Japan Prize (2019) and The World Food Prize (2020) delivered the inaugural speech highlighting the challenges and future possibilities through a power point presentation.
Chief Guest on the occasion Attorney General and Minister Of Agro Industry And Food Safety, Maneesh Gobin appreciating the joint initiative taken by the elite agricultural organizations of India targeting the global needs of future for food security and agricultural reforms to become self reliant. He talked on five points relating India with Mauritius as blood relatives. Being a member of farmers family he expressed his great fullness towards the organizers for giving him honor of being chief guest of an international conference and sharing dais with the Union Minister of Agriculture of India. He urged the august gathering of Scientists, Research Experts, Planners, Progressive Farmers as well people from different organizations of farmers to focus on developing food security strategic alliance so that strategic cooperation between nations can enable governments to cope up with serious circumstances like food supply lapses occurs during war or pandemic like situations. He also emphasized on sharing knowledge about strengths and potential of knowledge sharing, trade and commerce between two nations especially on strengthening blue economy by developing possibilities of aqua culture of inland as well as ocean water.
Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar highlighting the importance of agriculture sector in strengthening Indian economy and outlined the role of farmers, scientists in gaining self sufficiency in food production. Accepting that Agriculture is backbone of Indian economy he said time to time required reforms and development were made believing that the agriculture sector can help in maintaining self sustenance.
Appreciating farmers for their hardship and foresightedness in combating crises during covid lockdown period and during this period farmers facing all odds have increased agro production nearly double. Union Minister, shri Tomar further said Government of India has initiated various programs focusing agriculture development and farmers welfare. As per wish of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi the Kisan Samman Nidhi have been initiated and till now crores (cr.) of farmers are being given honorarium in their accounts.

Emphasizing on need of developing attraction in farming as employment for urban graduates to develop agriculture as profit making enterprise we have to focus on develop production centers, productivity enhancement research centers and also on research centers for enhancing income of small and marginal farmers. Government has planned Rs. 6875 crore on formation and mobilization of 10000 Farmers’ Producer Organizations across the country.
Union Minister Tomar further highlighting the ongoing programs initiated with State Governments with technical expertise if ICAR, BAERC and other farmers organizations of India like Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, said we are focused to gain self sufficiency in pulses and oil seed production so that India can become total self reliant in Agriculture.
Dinesh Kulkarni national Organization Secretary BKS welcoming guests, eminent scientists planners, agro-economists, researchers from different parts of the world attending the conference on online and are physically present. Mentioning priority sectors of BKS he said since inception we are working on Organic Farming, Good Soil and Water Health, Sustainable and well managed utilization of natural resources, chemical inputs, etc.
Expanding the vision BKS has initiated works on different allied sectors like entrepreneurship, legal and legislative reforms, etc.
Dr. T Mohapatra , Secretary DARE and DG ICAR welcomed guests, participants from different countries also deligates attending the conference online representing different countries. He said that India becoming self reliant in grain production is also working on attaining self sufficiency in production of pulses and oil production. Citing works being carried out by ICAR in different parts of the country to achieve goals.
Highlighting challenges Dr. Mohapatra emphasized on developing right perception in society about ongoing practices like burning of crop residue, excessive use fertilizers, unjustified exploitation of natural resources, etc. He said to change perception and use of environment friendly practices the ICAR has initiative work and in last six years we have successes in reducing 85 percent of burning residue with round the clock monitoring using 6 to 7 satellites on areas affected due to pollution in Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh, and other affected states.
Emphasising on need of brining more and more investment in agriculture sector he said agriculture research in India has highest returns of over 10 times. He also highlighted steps being taken up to enhance agricultural education system and projects being carried out to involve farmers in process.
Dr. Jalpathi Rao, All India Chairman, BEARC and Dr AK Singh, Deputy Director General , ICAR also shared their views on the occasion
Dr. Makarand Karkare proposed the vote of thanks .
The two days international conference is being organised by Bhartiya Agro Economic Research Centre and Bhartiya Kisan Sangh in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The two days event is taking place at the National Agricultural Science Complex, ICAR, New Delhi, India on July 22 and 23, 2022.
On the occasion of the international conference, a National Level Essay writing competition was organized in three different categories i.e. for UG & PG Students and Young scientists of NARS. There was huge response to the competition across the country and twelve wieners in all categories were awarded with cash prizes with the highest prize money of Rs. 21 thousand.

Source: News Mania Desk