RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Nov 21: Noted agricultural scientist and former Deputy Director General, ICAR, Dr. Anil Kumar Singh has called upon the scientists to gear up to meet the food and nutrition needs of the country in view of the ever-increasing population and the challenges of climate change.
He said that by the beginning of the year 2024, India will become the most populous country in the world leaving behind China. Similarly, by the year 2040, the global temperature will increase by 1.5 degrees, due to which large glaciers will melt and the level of sea water will rise. Due to this, the population of crores of people will be displaced all over the world.
Dr. Singh was addressing a three-day conference on ‘Global Research Initiative for Sustainable Agriculture and Allied Sciences’ organized by Aastha Foundation Meerut at Birsa Agricultural University on Monday. It is organized by the Foundation in association with BAU and several agricultural universities of the country.
He said that this year the record of extreme weather conditions like highest temperature, forest fire, drought, cloudburst etc. has been created. India is one of the most malnourished countries where 50% of women and 20% of men suffer from anemia. Soil is the basis of the health of plants, animals, birds, humans and the environment, the basic source of nutrition is soil. Therefore, deliberate efforts should be made for the preservation and promotion of its health. For nutrition, the quantity of millets like Maduva, Gundli, Jowar, Bajra etc. should be increased in the diet.
Vice Chancellor of Birsa Agricultural University, Dr. Omkar Nath Singh said that the availability of land and water for agriculture is continuously decreasing, so we have to find ways to produce more with less resource. Nutrients from the soil are being continuously exploited. Efforts will have to be made to compensate for it, only then we will be able to hand over the legacy of healthy soil to the next generation.
Vice Chancellor of Nilamber Pitambar University, Palamu, Dr. Ram Lakhan Singh, expressed the need for research on the long-term toxicity aspect of Genetically Modified (GM) crops.
Former director of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Dhaka, Dr. BK Chakraborty, stressed on increasing the production of fish and livestock to tackle the problem of poverty and hunger in developing countries.
Dean of BAU’s Veterinary Faculty Dr. Sushil Prasad, Founder of Aastha Foundation and chairman of the organizing committee Dr. SP Singh and, and Organizing Coordinator Dr. Amit Kumar also presented their views. Chief Organizing Secretary of the conference Dr. Rabindra Kumar proposed the vote of thanks. On this occasion, six people were honored with Aastha Foundation Award.
