ICER-NARM-2023: World Would Require 50% More Food From Same Agricultural Lands by 2050, Says Ex-NIC Director General Prof Moni

ICER-NARM-2023 or International Conference on Eco-Restoration for Natural Resources Management conference was conducted on Thursday, August 24, to discuss 'Environmental degradation and its effects on the health of ecosystems and its effects on the health of ecosystems and its resource base to increase productivity' under the theme Ecosystem for Livelihood Enhancement. The conference was held at the S.T. Hindu Nagercoil in collaboration with Rift Valley Studies of Hawassa University, Ethiopia, and the Society for Advancement of Biological Sciences India.

The conference brought together renowned scientists, researchers, experts, professionals, scholars, policymakers, and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), including Dr.N Chandrasekar, Vice-Chancellor, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, Dr. T. M. Padmanabhan, Principal, S.T. Hindu College Nagercoil, Padmabhushan DR. A. Sivathanupillai, father of BrahMos Aerospace, Prof. K. Chockalingam, Former Vice Chancellor, M.S.University, Tirunelveli, Dr. Pavanasam Natarajan, Professor and Coordinator, Hawassa University, Ethiopia, Dr. P. Sivagnana Murthy, Professor and Director, AET Institutions Bengaluru, Dr. K. Tamilarutselvi, Head, Department of Zoology, STHC, Nagercoil, Dr. M.Mathevan Pillai, Head, Dept of Botany, Dr. V. Sreenivasa, Dept of Zoology, Bangalore University and Secretary, SABS, Bengaluru.

The panel of international advisors, members of the National Organizing Committee, including Conveners, Dr. G.S. Anantha Selvi and Dr. V. Pattukumar, Assistant Professors of Dept. of Zoology (STHC).

The objectives of the conference were (a) to evaluate the present status of bio-resources in aquatic systems, (b) to evaluate fisheries and aquatic potentials, (c) to understand the health status of aquatic systems, (d) to evaluate the land use impact on bio-resource base, (e) to suggest appropriate restoration techniques and a sound basis for developing policies, and (f) to understand the current status of eco-restoration strategies.

Special Symposiums were held on Biodiversity Conservation and Management, Biotechnology for Sustainable Development, Aquaculture and Fisheries for Livelihood Enhancement, and Eco Restoration for Environmental Sustainability.

Professor Moni Madaswamy, Shobhit University Meerut and Former Director General National Informatics Centre, spoke about Advancing SMART Tribal Farming Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security. "Under the Indian Presidency, the G20 in 2023 focuses on the theme, 'One Earth, One Family, One Future', affirming the value of human, animal, plant, and microorganisms and their interconnectedness on planet Earth and in the wider Universe," he said.

"By 2050, it is pronounced that there will be more than 2 billion additional people on the planet, requiring 50% more food from the same agricultural footprint. At the same time, climate change is leading to more volatile weather and generally warmer conditions. The two big drivers of food demand—population and income—are dramatically on the rise. This situational aspect is forcing India to shift from basic farming to more efficient, sustainable, productive, and SMART farming," he noted.

Shedding light on the importance of SMART Tribal Farming, he said it "leads to Nature’s Based Solution. I wish the International Conference ICER – NaRM -2023 all success. I look forward to receiving recommendations at the earliest for strengthening Our Mission Programs and also for enabling Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in our Country."

To make this plan successful Mr. Moni is one on digitisation in agriculture along with the Ashok Dalwai Committee. “Digitalization of Agriculture in India” as per the visionary recommendations of the Ashok Dalwai Committee on Doubling Farmers Income by 2022 Report (2018) and emerging “Pathway for Agricultural Innovations and Smart Farming” in the country, will ultimately facilitate establishing about 2.50 Lakhs AgriTech Startups/ScaleUps, one in each Gram Panchayat, in the Country. Each Gram Panchayat will have 1 GBPS Internet bandwidth (scalable up to 10 GBPS) with PM-WANI to connect villages down the line," he summed up.