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Students make clay models on the first day of the 13th Agricultural Science Congress at the University of Agricultural Sciences in Bengaluru on Tuesday. DH photo
The 13th National Agricultural Science Congress on the theme ‘Climate-smart Agriculture’ was inaugurated at the University of Agricultural Sciences-Bengaluru (UAS-B) on Tuesday.
Jointly organised by UAS-B, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Indian Council of Agricultural Research, the agenda of the four-day Congress is to prepare an action plan to make agriculture in the country climate-smart.
The effects of climate change can be observed in Karnataka’s persistent drought, said Agriculture Minister Krishna Byregowda.
Several years of consecutive drought, unprecedented hailstorms and flooding in different parts of Karnataka were clear manifestations of climate change, he said. “Scientists cannot fight this alone. People need to make lifestyle changes. Communication from scientists should reach common people so that they know the situation.”
Prof M S Swaminathan, Father of the Indian Green Revolution, addressed the audience through an audio message. He appreciated the theme of the Congress and stressed that India needed to shift from the idea of food security to nutrition security.
Dr Ramesh Chand, member of the NITI Aayog, urged agricultural scientists present at the Congress to find a less-polluting method to cultivate paddy and to find an alternative to burning crop residue.
On educating public about climate change, he said, “If you tell people about glaciers which are melting in a place far away from them, they will not relate to it. We need to talk about climate change on region-specific terms for people to understand its seriousness.”
More than 2,000 distinguished scientists from across the country and abroad are participating in the Congress. Several technical sessions, panel discussions and poster presentations have been scheduled over the course of the event. The Congress was inaugurated by Governor Vajubhai Vala.
“Drought has put farmers under severe stress and only scientists can save them now. Farmers do not expect subsidy or crop insurance. Instead, they need better technology, “ he said.
Jointly organised by UAS-B, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Indian Council of Agricultural Research, the agenda of the four-day Congress is to prepare an action plan to make agriculture in the country climate-smart.
The effects of climate change can be observed in Karnataka’s persistent drought, said Agriculture Minister Krishna Byregowda.
Several years of consecutive drought, unprecedented hailstorms and flooding in different parts of Karnataka were clear manifestations of climate change, he said. “Scientists cannot fight this alone. People need to make lifestyle changes. Communication from scientists should reach common people so that they know the situation.”
Prof M S Swaminathan, Father of the Indian Green Revolution, addressed the audience through an audio message. He appreciated the theme of the Congress and stressed that India needed to shift from the idea of food security to nutrition security.
Dr Ramesh Chand, member of the NITI Aayog, urged agricultural scientists present at the Congress to find a less-polluting method to cultivate paddy and to find an alternative to burning crop residue.
On educating public about climate change, he said, “If you tell people about glaciers which are melting in a place far away from them, they will not relate to it. We need to talk about climate change on region-specific terms for people to understand its seriousness.”
More than 2,000 distinguished scientists from across the country and abroad are participating in the Congress. Several technical sessions, panel discussions and poster presentations have been scheduled over the course of the event. The Congress was inaugurated by Governor Vajubhai Vala.
“Drought has put farmers under severe stress and only scientists can save them now. Farmers do not expect subsidy or crop insurance. Instead, they need better technology, “ he said.
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