PRESIDENT OF Indian Society for Vegetable Science Dr Kirti Singh said, bio-technologists, molecular breeders and crop scientists should work together to bring out some concrete recommendations to improve yield in terms of quality and production.
He was delivering the inaugural address at a two-day national symposium on ‘Molecular Breeding in Crop Plants’ at Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR) at Adalhat area on Monday.
Dr Singh said that a holistic approach was required to meet the growing demands of agricultural products. “In the era of globalisation, the responsibilities of agricultural scientists and scientists of other streams had increased and therefore scientists from various fields should work together to get better results,” he said.
He further said that agricultural products contributed to about 25 per cent of Gross Domestic Products (GDP). “Around 65 per cent population of the country is dependent on agriculture and therefore it was the responsibility of cross section of society to work for the development of this sector,” he said.
Deputy director general of Horticulture and Crop Science, Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), Prof Kalloo Gautam presided over the inaugural function and highlighted the activities of ICAR. He laid emphasis over promotion of molecular breeding.
{{/usCountry}}Deputy director general of Horticulture and Crop Science, Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), Prof Kalloo Gautam presided over the inaugural function and highlighted the activities of ICAR. He laid emphasis over promotion of molecular breeding.
{{/usCountry}}Eminent DNA scientist and director of Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (Hyderabad) Padmashree Dr Lalji Singh emphasised over the conservation of germ plasm of crops so that these germ plasms could be used in future also.
Director of Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Dr Mathura Rai welcomed the guests and established the theme of the symposium. He said besides the traditional technique, the use of bio-technology was a must to improve yield in terms of quality and production at present.
Dr AK Pandey conducted the programme whereas Dr PK Pandey proposed the vote of thanks. Prominent among other scientists who participated in the symposium included director of Central Institute of Medicinal and Aeromatic Plant (Lucknow), Dr SPS Khanuja, former vice-chancellor of VBS Purvanchal University Prof NC Gautam, director of Institute of Agricultural Sciences in BHU, Prof SR Singh and Director of Indian Institute of Spices Research (Kerala) Dr VA Parthsarthi.