International Soybean Research Conference SOYCON 2014 Inaugurated

In his inaugural address, Dr. Ayyappan appreciated the role of soybean in mitigating the protein calorie malnutrition and emphasised upon Protein, Profit and Prestige in addition to Public-Private Partnership for the larger interest of growth in agriculture.

Dr. S.P. Tiwari, former Deputy Director General (Crop Sciences), ICAR; Dr. Scot Jackson, University of Georgia and Dr. E. Nafziger, University of Urbana, USA delivered the key note addresses. Dr. A.K. Singh, Vice Chancellor, Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Viswavidyalaya (RVSKVV), Gwalior; Dr. D.P. Singh, Vice Chancellor, Devi Ahilya Vishwa Vidyalaya, Indore; Dr. J.S. Sandhu, Agricultural Commissioner, DAC, Government of India; and Dr. S.K. Srivastava, Director, Directorate of Soybean Research, Indore also graced the occasion.

SOYCON 2014 covers following theme areas during the three day researchers’ conclave ie. Genetic Improvement, Crop Husbandry Approaches, Insect-pest and diseases, Secondary agriculture Initiatives, Soybean Processing, Marketing and Policy Issues, Technology Dissemination, Food Uses of Soybean etc.

The lead papers are being presented by the well known researchers like Dr. Madan Kumar Bhattacharya, Iowa State University; Prof. Hon-Ming-Lam, Chinese University of Hong Kong; Dr. Savithry Natarajan, USDA, Maryland; Dr. Craig Gundersen, University of Illinois; Dr. Ramakrishnan M. Nair, AVRDC etc.

A total of 419 researchers including 20 from abroad (USA, Argentina, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Nigeria) are participating in twenty technical sessions on varied topics envisaged on Mitigating Productivity Constraints in Soybean for Sustainable Agriculture.

The mega event SOYCON is being organized by Society for Soybean Research & Development, Directorate of Soybean Research, Indore from 22nd to 24th February, 2014.

(Source: DSR, Indore)