Eminent scientists gather on one platform to deliberate on sustainable agriculture and food security
Lucknow: On the global stage, India is recognized as an agrarian country, with Uttar Pradesh possessing some of the most fertile land in the nation. This land has the capacity to produce a wide variety of crops; however, challenges persist. In some areas, land is available but irrigation facilities are lacking, while in others, even where irrigation exists and farmers produce good yields, storage issues arise. As a result, a significant portion of produce is wasted in the fields. This is a subject that requires research—how to enhance the quality of our products so that they can be exported, ensuring that farmers’ efforts do not go in vain and they receive fair prices.
These views were expressed by Keshav Prasad Maurya, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, while inaugurating, as Chief Guest, the four-day International Conference on “Pathogens, Plant Health and Food Security: Climate Resilient Agriculture and Landscape Conservation” at Amity University Lucknow Campus.
The conference is being jointly organized by Amity Food and Agriculture Foundation (AFAF), Amity University Lucknow Campus, and the Indian Society of Mycology and Plant Pathology (ISMPP). It has brought together eminent scientists from across the world to deliberate and exchange ideas on important issues such as sustainable agriculture and food security.
Addressing the gathering, Maurya stated that under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the “double engine government” is steadily progressing towards the sustainable development of farmers and agriculture. He emphasized that Uttar Pradesh will play a significant role in building a developed India. He further noted that the government is continuously working through various schemes for the empowerment of the poor, farmers, youth, and women. Efforts are also being made to improve the quality of agricultural and other products so that they can reach global markets through initiatives like “One District One Product.” He added that sectors such as processing, packaging, and marketing are also generating employment.
Speaking about infrastructure development aimed at attracting investment, Shri Maurya said that Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a leader in the development of road, rail, and air connectivity.
Dr. Ashok K. Chauhan, Founder President, Amity Education Group, welcomed the Chief Guest and other dignitaries, stating that being associated with a farming family, he is well aware of the challenges faced by farmers. He expressed confidence that the presence of eminent scientists from across the globe strengthens the belief that India will emerge as a superpower not only in agriculture but in all sectors, and that Amity University will contribute significantly to this vision.
Dr. Aseem Chauhan, Chairman, Amity University Lucknow Campus, emphasized the importance of strengthening rural infrastructure, value addition, and the use of advanced technologies such as drones and artificial intelligence. He stated that global developments such as the Iran–America conflict have highlighted the vulnerability of food security systems, and that natural disasters and changing weather patterns have a widespread impact, necessitating proactive solutions.
Earlier, the conference was formally inaugurated with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Chief Guest Keshav Prasad Maurya, along with Prof. (Dr.) Anil Vashisht, Pro Vice Chancellor, Amity University Lucknow Campus; Dr. S. S. Chahal, Emeritus President, ISMPP; Dr. C. D. Mayee, noted scientist and President, South Asia Biotechnology Centre, New Delhi; Prof. (Dr.) Pokhar Rawal, Secretary, ISMPP; Dr. Lalit Mahatma, President, ISMPP; Dr. D. R. Singh, Vice Chancellor, Bihar Agricultural University; and Prof. (Dr.) Shalini Singh Visen, Organizing Secretary and Director, AFAF, Amity University Lucknow Campus.
On this occasion, Dr. Ashok K. Chauhan and Dr. Aseem Chauhan also joined the programme through online mode.
Prof. (Dr.) Anil Vashisht appreciated the visionary leadership of Dr. Ashok K. Chauhan and Dr. Aseem Chauhan, and highlighted global challenges such as climate change, emerging plant diseases, and increasing pressure on food systems. He described the conference as a strong platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and innovation.
Presenting the conference overview, Prof. (Dr.) Shalini Singh Visen highlighted the critical role of plant health, pathogen management, and food security in achieving climate-resilient agriculture.
Dr. C. D. Mayee described agriculture as a complex interaction between farmers, pathogens, and the environment, and emphasized the need for balanced and sustainable agricultural practices while cautioning against excessive reliance on chemicals.
Dr. S. S. Chahal discussed the evolving agricultural landscape, highlighting challenges such as invasive species, emerging pathogens, and climate change, and emphasized the importance of genomics and ecological approaches in addressing these issues.
Prof. (Dr.) Pokhar Rawal highlighted the remarkable growth and global recognition of ISMPP and noted the indexing of its journal in the Web of Science, emphasizing the need to make high-quality scientific research accessible.
Dr. Lalit Mahatma, in his address, reflected on the cultural heritage of Lucknow and stressed the importance of values, integrity, and social responsibility in academic life. He also presented experimental evidence supporting seed transmission of viruses and urged the scientific community to revisit conventional assumptions.
Dr. D. R. Singh highlighted India’s agricultural diversity, particularly Bihar’s contribution to crops like makhana, mango, and litchi. He emphasized the need to move from food sufficiency to nutritional security and raised concerns about pesticide residues and mycotoxin contamination.
The conference also celebrated scientific excellence, with distinguished scientists being felicitated. Special Achievement Awards and the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award were conferred in recognition of outstanding contributions. The inaugural session concluded with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Jameel Akhtar, followed by the National Anthem, marking a patriotic conclusion. The four-day conference continues to host eminent scientists, academicians, policymakers, and researchers from across the world to deliberate on key issues related to agriculture, plant health, and food security.
