Chronicle Reporter, Bhopal, National Seminar on “Science & Technology for Rural Development” was jointly organized by Faculty of Agriculture and Agriculture Research Complex at Rabindranath Tagore University from 12th to 13th February 2019.This seminar was organized in association with M.P. Council of Science & Technology. In this national seminar, about 175 participants participated.
The major objective of the seminar was to highlight the role of researchin agriculture production and Transfer of Technology for the sustainable rural development in India.The chief guest of the seminar was Dr. A.K. Gwal, Vice Chancellor of Rabindranath Tagore University.
Dr. A.K. Gwal inaugurated the seminar and focused on agriculture development, skill development and development of various technologies required for the development of Indian villages.
Prof. Anil Kurchania, Seminar Convener and Dean of Agriculture Faculty welcomed the delegates and presented the basic theme for organization of seminar along with the various activities undertaken by the Agriculture Faculty.
He informed that on the first day the speakers were Dr. R.T. Patil, Ex-director ICAR-Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET); Shri Umang Goyal, Coordinator,Daawat Foods Ltd; Dr. Brij Lal Lakaria, Principal Scientist, ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal; Mr. Snehil Willie Knox from True Life Agrotech.
On the second day, the speakers were Dr. A. K. Vishwakarma, Principal Scientist from ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal and Dr. Vijay Agrawal, Deputy Director, Directorate of Horticulture.
The Key Note speaker Dr. R.T. Patil delivered the talk on Modern Food Process Technologies. He emphasized that the income of farmers can be made doubled by reducing the post-harvest losses and implementing the value addition of agriculture products. Entrepreneurship for youths can be developed by employing different machineries for the value addition of agriculture commodities, milk, eggs etc.
Umang Goyal from Daawat Foods Ltd explained the processing of rice and their work carried out for uplifting the rural people.
Dr BL Lakaria delivered the talk on soil health assessment and management. He said that it is essential to pay attention the condition of soil otherwise crop yield will be reduced in spite of adding chemical fertilizers. He stressed that whatever nutrients taken for crop production should be replenished for the betterment of soil health.
Mr. Snehil Willie Knox talked on bio fertilizer & organic farming. He said that his agenda is to deliver healthy & quality food, good agro techniques and less expensive farming.
He emphasized that in order to sustain the agriculture, natural and organic methods must be adopted so that the adverse impact of the chemical based agriculture is reduced. On the second day speaker Dr. A. K. Vishwakarma from Indian Institute of Soil Science delivered the lecture on Conservation Agriculture.
He explained the new way of cultivation i.e is conservation agriculture. Conventional Agriculture is more input intensive .With the help of conservation agriculture burning of residues can be stopped and you can get many advantages .
Dr. Vijay Agrawal, Deputy Director, Directorate of Horticulture spoke about protected cultivation. He highlighted the importance of green house .He explained the different structures of green houses . He gave the estimate of its construction and subsidy provided by government .
Prof. Anil Kurchania, Dean Agriculture presented the report of the National Seminar and recommendations emerging from National Seminar for the development of rural India by promoting research techniques in agriculture and its allied fields to increase the income of farmers and to make their life better.
To secure future of agriculture and to improve livelihood of half of India’s population, adequate attention needs to be given to improve the welfare of farmers and raise agricultural income.
He emphasized that by these efforts theGovernment’s target of doubling of farmers’ income by the year 2022 as per the Government’s target can be fulfilled.
E.M. Khan, Organizing Secretary of the Seminar proposed the Vote of Thanks. The programme was anchored and coordinated by Dr.Aarti Kumar and students Gaurav Shrivastva and Mayank of agriculture faculty.