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HomeTelangana5th International Agronomy Congress kicked started at Agri University

5th International Agronomy Congress kicked started at Agri University

A five day long ‘5th International Agronomy Congress on Agri-Innovation to Combat Food and Nutritional Challenges’ has kicked started today at University Auditorium of Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agriculture University (PJTSAU) Rajendranagar.

Speaking on the occasion Prof. V.Praveen Rao, Vice-Chancellor PJTSAU said, “Food production has increased three times in the country. Similarly, horticulture ten times and fish production almost twelve times to feed 1.3 billion population of the county.

Dr.Rao underlined some of the challenges in increasing food grain production to 1.6 times by 2070 to feed the increasing number of population. He said “For the congress, it is the need of the hour to gain and share the wisdom through concrete discussion, fruitful outcomes and direction to address the future challenges.”

Secretary, DARE and DG, ICAR Prof. Trilochan Mohapatra said “Agronomy is an important part of agriculture and increase in agriculture production is stirred due to agronomic intervention. We have surplus agricultural produce and agriculture exports too have increased to more than 40 percent compared to last year. Also, we registered a significant increase in the export of wheat, basmati rice, sugarcane products and cotton in the country.

He expressed concern over oilseed production and said “We are largely counting on importing oil and there is a need to increase its production. To achieve the same we need to increase production through concentrating soil, water and biodiversity conservation. However, there is still a gap in production and potential of crops. Only agronomical intervention can help in filling these gaps through integration of international knowledge and local experiences e.g. agronomy of high density cotton.”

Stressing on diligent use of inputs using drones, laser levelling using remote sensing i.e. precision agriculture, he advised reducing the cost of production using zero-tillage, conservation agriculture, weed management and organic practices. “The agronomy can play a significant role in addressing soil problems, soilless agriculture, hydroponic and agronomy of horticultural crops. As such, redefining the role of Agronomy is the need of the hour,” he contended.

While addressing the event, Prof. Samunder Singh, President International Weed Science Society of Brazil said, “Indian agriculture scenario has shifted from begging bowl to surplus production.” He also suggested a technological change using robotics and drones in agriculture for efficient utilization and site-specific application of inputs.

President Crop Science Society of America (USA) Prof P.V.Vara Prasad and Chancellor RLBCAU, Dr Panjab Singh also spoke on the occasion.

Later, awards were presented to the eminent Scientists for their achievements in the field of Agronomy. Director ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad and organizing secretary of 5th international agronomy congress Dr. V. K Singh proposed the formal vote of thanks during the inaugural session.