Reducing land availability is posing challenge for agri sustainability: Canadian expert

Ludhiana, December 13:



"Sustainability in agriculture would be a big issue looking at fast reducing land availability and when challenges posed by climate change are becoming more real," these remarks were made by the Dr Vijaya Raghavan, Professor in Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University of Canada, who was here at the Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET) to deliver special lecture and explore collaborative areas for research.



Emphasizing that global population is likely to touch figure of eight hundred crore in next two decades from present six hundred crore, Dr Raghavan, said that situation would be more challenging as farmers in places like India are preferring to sell their land wherever they are getting higher prices. "Technically growing crops might be possible in soil-less agriculture, but that would too expensive phenomena," he said, adding there is urgent need to reduce post harvest losses and work on waste utilization in agriculture by using eco-friendly technologies.



Asking scientists in CIPHET to come out with joint research proposals, Dr Raghavan, said that membrane technology development by them for extension of shelf life of fruits could be of immense use in Indian context. Stressing on food safety, he remarked said that without maintaining quality India could not tap global export potential. Informing Dr Raghavan about research initiatives taken by the institute, Director CIPHET Dr U.S Shivhare said that they are looking for various collaborative areas with McGill University, Canada. He also lauded the contribution of Dr Raghavan in research and providing assistance to overseas students.



Project Coordinator (PHT) Dr S.K Nanda, Head Food Grains and Oil Seeds Division Dr R.K Gupta, Head Agricultural Structures and Environmental Control Dr S.N Jha and Head Transfer of Technology Dr Deepak Raj Rai were the prominent present on the occasion.
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