The 16th Agricultural Science Congress (ASC) is set to commence at Hotel Le Meridien, Kochi, with Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala, inaugurating the event. This four-day gathering, starting on October 10, will bring together renowned agricultural economists, scientists, policymakers, academicians, farmers, and entrepreneurs.
Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), will deliver the presidential address. Guests of honor include Minister for Agriculture P Prasad, Kerala; MP Hibi Eden; Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Chairperson of Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority; and K V Shaji, Chairman of NABARD. The Dr AB Joshi Memorial Lecture will be delivered by Prof. Panjab Singh, Former President of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS).
The ASC, organized by the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), is taking place for the first time in Kerala and is hosted by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). The Congress will explore ten thematic areas encompassing various aspects of agriculture, sustainability, production systems, machinery, climate action, economics, renewable energy, precision farming, alternative farming systems, coastal agriculture, and next-generation technologies.
Prominent experts, including Dr. Madhur Gautam from the World Bank, Dr. Krishna Ella, CMD of Bharat Biotech, Dr. Vijay Paul Sharma, Chairman of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices, Dr. Prabhu Pingali, Founding Director of Tata Cornell Institute, and Dr. Rishi Sharma from FAO, will lead various sessions.
The Congress will feature five plenary lectures, three panel discussions, and four symposiums covering topics such as coastal agriculture and livelihood, mainstreaming millets, youth empowerment, and gender equity. A highlight will be the Farmer-Scientist Interface session, fostering a direct exchange of knowledge and experiences between the farming community and researchers.
Over 1500 delegates from India and abroad are expected to attend the Congress, which will also host an Agri Expo showcasing innovative agricultural technologies from public and private sector research institutes, universities, agro-industries, extension agencies, and NGOs.