ICAR hosts National Symposium on Boosting Farmers’ Income, Shillong

* Role of plant pathology highlighted

A REPORTER

SHILLONG: In accordance with the Prime Minister’s vision of doubling farmers’ income, the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya in collaboration with Indian Society of Plant Pathologists Society (INSOPP) PAU, Ludhiana organised a national symposium on “Role of Plant Pathology in Empowering and Doubling Farmers’ Income” on Thursday.

The national symposium was inaugurated by the Governor of Meghalaya, Tathagata Roy in the presence of Dr. Narendra Prakash, Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH, Dr. Narinder Singh Secretary INSOPP Dr. Dinesh Singh Secretary Indian Phytopathological Society and Dr. Pankaj Baiswar senior scientist ICAR as the organizing secretary, stated a release.

Addressing the inaugural session as the chief guest, Governor Roy lauded the efforts of ICAR Research Complex for NEH in empowering the farmers of the region. He highlighted that fact that pest and diseases are the major causes of loss for the farmers. He further added that agriculture is the mainstay of India and the loss of crops cannot be afforded and hence the role of the plant pathologist is an integral part of the agricultural system. Drawing recent reference of the “wheat blast” case he said that the plant pathologists are the key in enhancing the income of the farmers.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Narendra Prakash, Director, ICAR Research Complex said that the role of plant pathology cannot be denied in empowering the farmers of the region. The concept of multiple cropping can only be implemented and initiated with efforts from the plant pathologists.

Dr. Narinder Singh Secretary INSOPP highlighted the Indian Phytopathological Society with special reference to the North Eastern Region. Dr. Dinesh Singh Secretary Indian Phytopathological Society also presented the report of the organization on the occasion. Dr. Pankaj Baiswar ICAR senior scientist and organizing secretary stressed on the various aspects of the North Eastern Region and how sharing international borders brings in a lot of crop disease and how to tackle with them, he emphasized of the various technical aspects of plant pathology.

The national symposium also witnessed a series of presentations from scientists and academicians from all over India. A souvenir and a book of abstracts were also released during the programme. More than 100 delegates from across India attended the programme.