The inaugural ceremony of the 11th edition of the Indian Horticultural Congress was held today at the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), GKVK campus, Bengaluru.
Former Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR and Padma Bhushan Dr. R.S. Paroda inaugurated the Congress. Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR Dr. M.L. Jat presided over the function.
IAHS President and Deputy Director General of Horticultural Sciences Dr. S.K. Singh, Vice Chancellor of Bangalore Agricultural University Dr. N.V. Suresh, University of Texas Dr. Bheemu Patil, International Tropical Food Network, Malaysia CEO Mr. Mohammad Salim Mohammad Ali, UHS, Bagalkot Vice Chancellors Dr. Vishnuvardhan, MPHU, Karnal Vice Chancellors Dr. S.K. Malhotra, ICAR-IIHR Dr. T.K. Behera, Horticulture Commissioner, Government of India Dr. Prabhat Kumar, National Organizing Secretary & ADG (HN) Dr. V.B. Patel, and GKVK, Dean of Agricultural University Dr. M.B. Prakash, along with other dignitaries and leaders from the horticulture sector, were present on the occasion.
Dr. M.L. Jatt’s Presidential Address: Dr. M.L. Jatt, Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR, in his presidential address, called upon scientists to focus research & innovation on nutrient-rich, traditional crops. This will help strengthen local food systems and improve public health. Referring to the recent talks with ICMR for translational studies on biofortified crops, he stressed the need for wider collaboration to directly link agricultural research to nutrition and livelihoods.
Dr. Jatt highlighted the three mandates set by the Hon’ble Prime Minister for the agriculture sector: Biofortified crops, Harnessing biodiversity and Use of bio-based inputs for soil health management. He further stressed that conventional crops should be reviewed to achieve nutritional security & climate resilience. There is a need to improve the value chain of key agricultural commodities to increase farmers’ income. Dr. Jatt called for breaking down the barriers of disciplinary divisions and developing synergistic, multi-institutional teams spanning from discovery to distribution.