A two days international conference on “Existing Climate Change Scenario and its Arising Risks” concludes today at SKUAST-Jammu. The conference is being organized by Mahima Research Foundation and Social Welfare and Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu.
Sh. Kailash Choudhary, Union Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Govt. of India was the chief guest during valedictory function. He lauded the organizers for inviting scientists around the globe on a common platform in agrivarsity for sharing their rich research experience among the participants about arising risks of climate change and its mitigation approaches. He said that Indian agriculture sector is severely affected by climate change. Since Indian agriculture is dependent mostly on monsoon and climate change is severely affecting the pattern of monsoon thus leading a drastic change in the production of agriculture and allied sectors. He further Prime Minister Narendra Modi ids discussing on impact of climate of climate change on different world forums and the world is looking towards India for the remedy of problem of climate change. He said that agriculture sector has tremendous potential and the need of the hour is to promote diversification of agriculture, value addition, processing and marketing of the agriculture produce. He suggested that farmers should transform themselves from producers to agripreneurs for getting remunerative price of their produce. He exhorted the students to become job providers instead of job seekers. Sh. Jugal Kishore Sharma, Hon’ble MP and chief guest congratulated Prof. J.P. Sharma, VC SKUAST-Jammu for organizing International Conference.
At the outset, Prof. J.P. Sharma, VC, SKUAST-Jammu presented the formal welcome address and gave a brief note about various achievements and progress made by the University. Prof J P sharma thanked both the chief guests for their gracious presence in the university during the conference. He stressed that climate change is not limited to one place but it is a global issue impacting all forms of life. Vice Chancellor Prof J P Sharma expressed his gratitude to Union Minister for giving more emphasis on Agriculture Extension System in the country for speedy dissemination of improved agriculture technologies among the end users.
Dr. Sanjay Guleria presented the technical report and recommendations of the International Conference. He informed that more than 300 delegates across the globe participated in two days mega event. Besides, eight technical sessions, six poster sessions, six key note lectures and four lead lectures held during the conference. The key note and lead lectures were delivered by the eminent experts in the field of climate change from all over the world.
The international conference also came with important recommendations such as there is strong advocacy for requirement of extensive exploration, collection, conservation and documentation for sustainable utilization of important medicinal plants for future food security, utilization of an integrated digital soil sensing and mapping system for sustainable soil management, application of sensors, internet of things, artificial intelligence, drone technology, robotics, Geographic Information System, Global Positioning System for enhanced productivity, screening of wild germplasm and development of climate resilient varieties to mitigate climate change and establishment of regional level climate monitoring zone for flora and fauna in J&K (J&K).
Earlier, chief guests also inaugurated an exhibits of various technologies developed by SKUAST-Jammu, progressive farmers, KVKs, FPOs and SHGs of Jammu region.During the conference, oral and poster presentation awards were also distributed among the delegates.
Dr. S.K. Gupta, Director Extension, Dr. Pradeep Wali, Director Research, Dr. Rakesh Nanda, Director Education, Dr. A.K Mondal, Dean Faculty of Agriculture, Dr. M. S. Bhadwal, Dean, F.V.Sc. & A.H., Dr. S.E.H. Rizvi, Dean, F.B.Sc., Dr. S. K. Gupta, Registrar and Dean, Faculty of Horticulture and Agroforestry, Dr. Sushil Sharma, Dean Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Dr. J. S. Soodan, Dean, Faculty of Dairy Technology, head of the Divisions, faculty members, delegates, students and media personnel were also present during the valedictory function. Vote of thanks was presented by Dr. S.E.H. Rizvi and proceedings of the programme were conducted by Dr. Pawan Sharma.
