 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Oct 5: A two-day Brainstorming Workshop on "Investing in Agro-Technologies for Self-Reliance" has commenced at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Jammu (SKUAST-Jammu), in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), New Delhi, as part of the Technology Development Programme.
The inaugural session of the workshop was chaired by Prof. B.N. Tripathi, Vice-Chancellor of SKUAST-Jammu. Prof. Tripathi underscored the critical role of agro-technologies in achieving the goal of an ATAMNIRBHAR Bharat (self-reliant India). He emphasized the importance of developing new technologies, patenting them, and their subsequent commercialization. Prof. Tripathi discussed the significance of agro-technologies in increasing food production to meet the demands of a growing population. He further stressed the need to develop new technologies in agriculture and allied fields to foster self-reliance. These technologies include vertical farming, hydroponics, aeroponics, smart irrigation systems, sensor-based crop monitoring, greenhouse gas reduction techniques, precision agriculture (including livestock farming), machine learning, artificial intelligence, and more. Prof. Tripathi also highlighted the importance of a precise understanding of animal behavior for precision livestock farming. He emphasized that knowledge and technology are the true strengths of a nation and encouraged the organizers to compile expert recommendations for submission to policy planning agencies.
The workshop features leading speakers from various universities and institutes in North India, including CSKHPKV, Palampur; PAU, Ludhiana; University of Jammu; IIT, Jammu; CSIR-IHBT, Palampur; and ICAR-IIAB, Ranchi. Scientists from HAU, Hissar, GADVASU, Ludhaina, and SKUAST-Jammu are actively participating in the deliberations. Postgraduate students from SKUAST-Jammu are also actively engaged in the brainstorming sessions.
The workshop's deliberations focus on investment in research and development of agro-technologies, including the role of DST-TDP, the development, integration, and promotion of agro-technologies, and the modernization of traditional technologies, tools, and skills. The objective of the workshop is to sensitize scientists and scholars from North Western States/UTs through expert lectures, panel discussions, and interactive sessions.
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