The three-day 33rd National Conference on “Land and Water Management for Ecological Restoration and Agricultural Sustainability,” organised by the Soil Conservation Society of India (SCSI-Punjab Chapter) in cooperation with the Department of Soil and Water Engineering, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), kicked off here today. Engaging scientists, researchers, academicians, extension professionals, policymakers and stakeholders from 20 states and Union Territories, the conference will focus on sharing research findings, deliberating on sustainable approaches and suggesting innovative strategies for the long-term management of land and water resources.
Delivering his inaugural address, the chief guest Dr BR Kamboj, Vice-Chancellor, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, made a call for making India ecologically secure through agricultural sustainability. “In the last two decades, intensification of agriculture in terms of overuse of groundwater, extreme climate, and variation in soil health, has posed a great risk to the food security and ecological as well as economic stability,” he observed. Stating that soil and water issues formed the core foundation of life, Dr Kamboj pointed to the declining crop productivity with a huge water holding capacity, ultimately leading to ecological imbalance. “India accounted for 251 billion cubic meters of groundwater extraction annually,” he divulged, while urging for shifting to alternate crops such as wheat and mustard for water conservation. Diversification within crops and technologies was vital to explore location-specific, economically-viable solutions to restore the groundwater-a key resource, address the climate excesses, and bolster the physical and biological health of the ssoil, etc.
Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, in his presidential remarks, observed, “ In a developing country like India, where population is rising all time high, food production is being hit by rapid industrialization, water depletion, weather vagaries, declining soil health, etc.” Dr Gosal suggested a leap from dependence on groundwater to rainwater harvesting, one of the most sustainable technologies yielding positive outcomes; micro-irrigation; drip irrigation; rooftop cultivation of crops; cultivation of non-water intensive rice varieties; etc. as remedial measures. Since soil health management was need of the hour, the conference looked forward to the formation of innovative solutions for the collective treatment of water and land management, he said.
The guest of honour Dr TBS Rajput, President, SCSI, while presenting a brief overview of the Society, informed that this non-profit organization was initiated in 1952, has published 11 books till date, and been ranked the best (5.5 out of 6) for its outstanding contributions to the soil health management. Pointing out the loss of land and economy as a result of Green Revolution, Dr Rajput called for making soils ‘healthy’ and lands ‘fertile’ by coming-up with a future roadmap, suggesting forward-looking steps to be taken-up by the Government of India.
Dr Manmohanjit Singh, Dean, College of Agriculture, Ballowal Saunkhri and Organising Secretary of the conference, informed that the three-day technical sessions would witness deliberations on achieving land degradation neutrality through innovation, precision water resource management, food and nutritional security via climate-resilient agriculture, digital innovations for land and water management, renewable energy integration for sustainable land and water management , and farmer centric resource management policies.
Earlier, welcoming the dignitaries and the participants, Dr Rakesh Sharda, Co-Organising Secretary of the conference, said that oral and poster presentations; and panel discussion on ‘Rehabilitation of Flood Affected Soils’ would also take place during the conference, which aimed at focusing on ecological restoration, climate-resilient agriculture, conservation technologies, and sustainable development practices for improving agri-productivity and environmental health.
Dr Mukesh Kumar, Secretary General, proposed a vote of thanks.
During the award giving ceremony, Dr Jagdish Prasad was conferred with “SCSI Bhu Ratna Award 2024,” whereas Prof Sat Pal Saini, PAU; and Dr P Raja, IIWSC, Odisha were awarded “SCSI Life Time Achievement Awards 2024.” Prof SD Khepar and Prof SK Sondhi from PAU were feted with “SCSI Honorary Membership Awards,” while Dr Gosal received the “SCSI Special Honour Award.” Besides, Dr R Kumar, SKUAST, Kashmir; Dr NK Pareek, SKNAU, Jobner; Dr MP Tripathi, IGKV, Raipur; and Dr VM Arya, SKUAST, Jammu, became the “SCSI National Fellows.” In addition, Dr MC Singh and Dr MS Mavi, PAU; and Dr RL Choudhary, IIRMR, Rajasthan, were awarded the “SCSI Gold Medal Awards.” The SCSI Leadership Awards were presented to Dr Nilesh Biwalkar, PAU; Dr Dhiraj Khalkho, IGKV, Raipur; and Dr Sumit Pal from Syngenta.
The SCSI Best State Chapter Award was bestowed on Punjab State Chapter of SCSI; and the Best Referee Award was presented to Dr Anshuman Kohli, BAU, Sabour. The SCSI Book Award was conferred upon Dr Subhash Chand, SKUAST, Jammu; and Dr AK Gupta, BUAT, UP. Student Incentive Awards were given to Dr Aekesh Kumar (Ph.D) from GBPUAT, Pantnagar; and Mr Lakshay Kumar (M.SC), PAU. The SCSI Dr SBHK Bhan Award and the SCSI Mrs MK Gupta Memorial Award were presented to Dr Dinesh Jinger, IIWSC, Chandigarh and Dr Arti Kumari, RCERI, Patna. Apart from this, Akshat Devra from Bijnor, UP; Sushil Periwal from Fazilka; and Jasveer Kumar, Hoshiarpur, Punjab also received the “SCSI Sumer Memorial Awards and VANEE Award.”