Dr Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) inaugurated five day-long “International Conference on Soil and Water Resources Management for Climate Smart Agriculture and Global Food and Livelihood Security” at the National Agricultural Science Centre Complex, New Delhi on 5 November.
The conference is jointly organized by the Soil Conservation Society of India in association with World Association of Soil and Water Conservation (WASWAC), China and International Soil Conservation Organization (ISCO), U.S.A.
Highlighting the recent trends in climate change in the country and world as a whole, the Director General expressed his concerns about the degradation of soil and water resources that is a threat to productive and sustainable agriculture. Dr. Mohapatra stated that the ever-rising climatic temperature is indeed a matter of great concern as it affects the human life drastically. He regarded the various human activities as the main contributors to the severe climate changes. He urged to adopt several means to minimize the impacts of the climate change.
The Director General accentuated on the food security that is a serious concern not only in the country, but round the globe too. Dr. Mohapatra also briefed about the Government of India’s initiatives for enhancing the food and agricultural production efficiencies in the country. He outlined the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s vision of doubling the farmers’ income by the Year - 2022.
Guest of Honor, Prof. Li Rui, President, WASWAC, China applauded the ICAR’s initiative or organizing the International Conference to discuss on such serious issues of soil and water conservation. Prof. Rui regarded the overexploitation of soil and water as one of the most serious concerns that need an immediate attention.
Prof. (Dr.) Suraj Bhan, President, Soil Conservation Society of India emphasized that the ever-increasing population has led to overexploitation of natural resources. He briefed about the Government of India’s initiatives to conserve the natural resources.
Dr. Bhan also highlighted the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India’s initiative to provide safe drinking water through the pipeline to every household. He stressed on the huge potential for water conservation through the rain water harvesting in the country. He urged for judicious use of the natural resources as these are the real treasures of the planet earth.
Dr. Sanjay Arora, Convener & Vice-President, Soil Conservation Society of India and Prof. Ildefonso Pla Sentis, President, ISCO along with Dr. Samir A. el-Swaify, Coordinator, ISCO, U.S.A. were also present during the occasion.
The occasion also marked the releasing of the “Special Issue of Indian Farming by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research” along with “7 Years of International Conference” and “Abstract Book of the Conference” by the dignitaries.
The dignitaries also conferred the “Soil Conservation Society of India (SCSI) Awards - 2019” to the various scientists and students for their contributions in the respective fields of researches.
The main objective of the five-day long conference is to deliberate upon the various issues and challenges of soil and water conservation.
A total of 400 Delegates from 21 countries namely China, Japan, Spain and Egypt, etc., will be participating in the conference.
