“International Seminar on Climate Smart Farming Systems” inaugurated

11th December, 2019, New Delhi

Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) inaugurated the “International Seminar on Climate Smart Farming Systems” for Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries at the National Agricultural Science Centre Complex, New Delhi today. The Seminar is being organized by the Department of Agricultural Research & Education, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare, Government of India and Indian Council of Agricultural Research from 11th to 13th December, 2019.

In his inaugural address, Dr. Mohapatra emphasized that despite climate changes, the farmers’ income can be enhanced effectively by adopting the technological interventions. He stated that the small holding farming is a challenge while applying the farm mechanization technology as a component of climate resilient agriculture. He asserted that India is committed to define the targets for reducing the emissions, to develop technologies and implement those at the ground level in order to mitigate and also adapt to the situations which are fast emerging and challenging the production systems. The Director General accentuated that India is also committed to strengthening the relationships among the BIMSTEC countries.

Shri Han Thein Kyaw, Director, BIMSTEC Secretariat, Myanmar urged the farmers to adopt the modern technologies in farming and agriculture I accordance with the changing climate scenario in the world. This would help to maintain the nutritional quality of the crops and food products.

Shri Virander Paul, Joint Secretary, BIMSTEC, SAARC & NALANADA, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India accentuated on having prompt regional connectivity and trade to be key to success for the BIMSTEC countries. Shri Paul regarded the agriculture to be one of the most important factors for the economic development of a country.

Shri Sushil Kumar, Additional Secretary (DARE) & Secretary (ICAR) along with other senior officials of ICAR and DARE were also present during the occasion.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr. A. Arunachalam, ADG (International Relations), ICAR highlighted the main objectives of the Seminar.

The participants from all the 7 BIMSTEC Countries, viz., Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and BIMSTEC Secretariat are attending the International Seminar.

The seminar has been organized as a Government of India initiative for organizing the “International Seminar on Climate Smart Farming Systems” for BIMSTEC countries as was announced by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India at the 4th BIMSTEC Summit held at Kathmandu from 30th to 31st August, 2019.

The main objective of the International Seminar is to promote experience sharing for enabling the improvement of tropical smallholder farming systems for greater productivity and resilience to climate change through ecological approaches.

(Source: ICAR-Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture, New Delhi)