All-India conference on role of livestock in food security begins at SKUAST-K

3 May 2023

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Srinagar, May 3: A three-day national conference and symposium on ‘Technology Driven Physiological Capacity Building in Livestock for Food Security and Sustainability’ commenced Tuesday at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar campus here.

The 31st Annual Conference and Symposium of the Society of Animal Physiologists of India (SAPICON-2023) is organised by SKUAST-K’s Division of Veterinary Physiology, FVSc&AH Shuhama and SAPI.

About 250 delegates from various agricultural universities, veterinary colleges and universities, ICAR institutions, and IITs from across the country are participating in the conference.

Chief Secretary, J&K UT, Dr AK Mehta, virtually inaugurated the SAPICON-2023 and addressed the gathering as the chief guest. While congratulating SKUAST-K for hosting this important national conference, Dr Mehta said that J&K needs to be future-ready to provide solutions to all the food-related upcoming challenges. He said technology is the way forward for agriculture 4.0 and SKUAST-K has to play a pivotal role in providing the new tech-based solutions. Talking about the conference theme, he said, that 40% of the total income of the agriculture sector is going to come from livestock, therefore this cannot be ignored. He said to become self-sufficient in mutton, poultry, and milk production, there is a need for technology and knowledge-driven smart livestock farming.

Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir A Ganai, in his inaugural address

said that SKUAST-K has not only emerged as a premier institute of agricultural education and research accredited as the 6th best State Agriculture University. But it has already set foot to become the first innovation-led farm university in the country. Last year, SKUAST-K was categorised as the ‘Band Excellent’ under the Atal Innovation ranking. He said the university has created an ecosystem for innovation and startup culture, visible as the university has been granted over a dozen patents and has registered 12 student and faculty startups in the past three years. He said there is a need to use available advanced technologies like IoT, AI & ML, and next-gen biotechnological tools in livestock farming to make it smarter, more efficient, resilient, eco-friendly and sustainable.

Padamshree awardee and eminent veterinary physiologist, Prof ML Madan, who has been previously DDG Animal Sciences ICAR, lauded the efforts of the present dispensation and the scientific fraternity for the transformation of the university and the veterinary faculty at Shuhama. Later he delivered a talk in a technical session on, “Evolution of Sexuality and Designer Technology in Reproduction-the lost Gametes”.

President SAPI, Prof SK Rastogi gave an overview of the SAPI, its purpose and its functioning. He said the members of SAPI are feeling privileged and honoured that its 31 annual conference is being held in the paradise on earth, Kashmir. General Secretary, SAPI, Prof SD Ingole also spoke on the occasion. Renowned speaker and IAS officer, SN Tripathi, is also attending the conference and delivered a motivational talk.

Earlier Director, Research, Prof TH Masoodi, presented the welcome address.

Organising secretary of the conference, Prof ZA Pampori, presented an overview of the conference.

At the inaugural session, tributes were paid to late Prof Salim Iqbal, for his contribution to Veterinary physiology.

Annual SAPI awards for 2021 and 2022 were also presented to various scientists for their exemplary contribution to animal physiology research. Two scientific books, authored by Dr Mudasir Gugjoo and Prof Zahoor A Pampori, and a conference manual were also released at the occasion. All the directors, deans, HoDs, senior scientists and officers of the varsity along with the students and scholars were present during the inaugural function.