Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 20 September 2023
The Second International Conference on “Prospects and challenges of environment and biological sciences in food production system for livelihood security of farmers (ICFPL-2023)” concluded today at the ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CIARI) in Port Blair. The event was jointly organized by the Pragati International Scientific Research Foundation (PISRF), Meerut, UP, India, and the Andaman Science Association (ASA), Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India. It was also conducted in collaboration with ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology (SVPUAT), Meerut, India.
Over 100 delegates from 26 states and 2 union territories participated in the three-day international seminar, with an equal number joining virtually. The conference addressed recent challenges faced by farmers, including watershed planning, fisheries resource management, and custom hiring towards mechanization. Eminent scientists delivered three keynote addresses, and a total of 90 online and 50 offline scientific research outcomes were presented across 14 technical sessions. The conference also recognized and awarded the best oral and poster presentations during the valedictory function.
During the Valedictory session held at the Dr. T.R. Dutta conference hall on September 20, 2023, Dr. P.L. Patil, Vice Chancellor of UAS Dharwad, served as the chief guest and commended the successful conduct of the international seminar. He emphasized the importance of motivating young scientists to participate in international and national conferences, enabling them to gain the latest knowledge and confidence to contribute to the betterment of farming practices.
Dr. E.B. Chakurkar, Director of ICAR-CIARI and President of the Andaman Science Association, highlighted the need for interdisciplinary collaboration in research to develop broad-based agricultural technologies for stakeholders. He expressed his satisfaction with the fruitful gathering of scientists from diverse fields across the nation in this pristine island location.
Dr. Gaya Prasad, Chairperson of ICFPLS-2023, concluded the event by praising the unique and diverse representation of scientists from all geographical areas of the country. He noted that the conference provided a platform for cross-hybridization of ideas in various fields, including technology development, mitigation, AI usage, genome sequencing, and conservation of agriculture and fisheries resources. Dr. Prasad expressed his admiration for the diversity within the scientific community.
The event began with a warm welcome from Dr. V.P. Chaudhary, Organizing Secretary of ICFPLS-2023, and concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Jai Sunder, the Local Organizing Secretary. The conference’s success marked a significant step forward in promoting collaboration and knowledge exchange within the field of environmental and biological sciences for the betterment of agricultural practices and farmer livelihoods.