Thursday, December 7, 2017

Organization of International Seminar on Global Climate Change at Aurangabad during December 14-16, 2017

Climate change has become a major concern for agriculture globally, more so in developing countries like India, where farming is heavily dependent on monsoon. Unseasonal rainfall, floods, hail storms, heat wave, cold wave and frost are some of the manifestations of climate change seriously impacting agriculture, horticulture and water availability. The incidence of pests and diseases are also increasing due to climate change. Therefore it is urgently needed to evolve climate resilient technologies to save the Indian agriculture. To debate on this important topic an International Seminar of “Global Climate Change: Implications for Agriculture and Water Sectors” is being organized during December 14-16, 2017 by all the four state Agricultural Universities of Maharashtra in collaboration with Water and Land Management Institute (WALMI) Aurangabad.
Dr. Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog, New Delhi will inaugurate the seminar, Dr. David Bergvinson, Director General, ICRISAT, Hyderabad will be the Guest of Honour and Padmabhushan Dr. R. S. Paroda, Former Director General, ICAR, New Delhi and Chairman of the Advisory Committee will preside over the function. Dr. B.Venkateswarlu, Hon. Vice-Chancellor, VNMKV, Parbhani and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Dr. T. Bhattacharya, Hon. Vice-Chancellor, Dr. BSKKV, Dapoli, Dr. K. P. Viswanatha, Hon. Vice-Chancellor, MPKV, Rahuri, Dr. V. M. Bhale, Hon. Vice-Chancellor, Dr. PDKV, Akola, Er. H. K. Gosavi, Director General, WALMI, Aurangabad and Sh. Raju Barwale, Chairman, MAHYCO will be other dignitaries to be present at the event.
Dr. D. P. Waskar, Director of Research, VNMKV, Parbhani is the Convener, Dr. S. D. Gorantiwar and Dr. A. S. Garudkar are the Co-Conveners and Dr. B. V. Asewar, Chief Scientist Dry land Research Centre, VNMKV, Parbhaniis Organizing Secretary. The website www.ccaw2017.org is launched for this event which has been visited by more than 25,000 visitors till date. The planning of this mega event was initiated more than an year ago. International experts from USA, UK, Australia, Germany, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, BanglaDesh and Nepal etc. are participating in this seminar to share their experiences. More than 600 Indian scientists / research scholars / students are also taking part in this seminar. About 1000 research abstracts are received which will be displayed through poster presentation.
Twelve concurrent sessions on various themes like breeding for climate ready crops, Climate change and water resources, Innovations in efficient water resource management, Climate change and carbon sequestration, Conservation agriculture, nutrient and energy management, Climate change and Dryland agriculture, Climate change : Farmer led innovations, Climate change and horticulture, Climate  change and pest & diseases, Climate change: livestock and fisheries, Upscaling climate resilient technologies, Agro-meteorology, IT applications and modeling and Climate smart agriculture:policy and financing are planned for thorough discussion.
The Inaugural function will be held at Rukmini Auditorium, MGM, College Campus, Aurangabad followed by all technical sessions at WALMI, Aurangabad. An exhibition depicting the latest innovations covering scientific and industrial equipment, measuring devices and books related to climate change will be organized at WALMI.  MAHYCO, Jalna has joined this event as a Co-Organizer. The other major sponsorers are Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), New Delhi, Jain Irrigation System Limited, Jalgaon, State Bank of India, Mahabeej, Akola. Science and Engineering Board, New Delhi, TASS, New Delhi, Nanaji Deshmukh Krishi Sanjivani Prakalp (PoCRA), Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Maharashtra and National Horticulture Mission.
During this mega event, many researchers /scientists will interact on various issues of climate change and related policy matters. The outcome of this seminar is expected to help in planning for development and implementation of climate resilient technologies in India.