Eminent agricultural scientist and Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University Prof. Panjab Singh said here on Tuesday that the agriculture sector was at the cross-roads at present and sustainable agricultural growth was needed by conserving resources.
Inaugurating the two-day 8th Agricultural Scientists and Farmer’s Congress at KN Udupa auditorium in BHU today, Prof. Panjab Singh said that all aspects of agriculture should be associated to get long-standing results.
The Institute of Agricultural Sciences in Banaras Hindu University, has organised the congress in collaboration with Bioved Research and Communication Centre (Allahabad).
Prof. Panjab Singh, who is also former Director of Indian Council for Agricultural Research, said that agriculture today was very different from that of the past and sustainable agricultural growth was possible when various aspects of agriculture such as modern technology, farmers’ participation, conservation of resources etc. were brought together.
He said that with the emergence of WTO norms, there were greater challenges before the Indian farmers and scientists to survive in the international scenario. Every unit of water, land and human energy should be used optimally so that the farmers could get better yield with less inputs.
He also cited the example of Punjab where there was a massive water crisis as the groundwater level had declined due to unprecedented use for agriculture. He said that there was an urgent need to avoid such crises.
{{/usCountry}}He also cited the example of Punjab where there was a massive water crisis as the groundwater level had declined due to unprecedented use for agriculture. He said that there was an urgent need to avoid such crises.
{{/usCountry}}He said that the farmers should also get their due share which was being hi-jacked by the middlemen and scientists should develop mass-oriented technology as a large number of farmers were quitting due to inadequate atmosphere.
Director of the Institute of Agricultural Sciences (IAS-BHU) Prof Janardan Singh welcomed the guests while former Director IAS, Prof. OP Srivastava also addressed the congress. Director of Bioved Research and Communication Centre (Allahabad) Dr. BK Dwivedi presented the report of the centre. Organising secretary of congress Prof. AP Singh proposed the vote of thanks. Dr. AK Joshi conducted the programme.
Bioved Research and Communication Centre (Allahabad), also felicitated some agricultural scientists and awarded fellowships on the occasion. Vice-Chancellor of Rajarshi Tandon Open University, Prof. KNS Yadav, Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya, Prof. G. Singh and Director of Indian Institute of Agricultural Research Dr. Mathura Rai were among other prominent persons present on the occasion.