Agriculture university VC calls for judicious use of natural reources

A two-day international conference on the theme “Resource Management for Sustainable Agriculture, Food, Environment and Health (SAFER) 2025” concluded at the Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) here today.

Vice-Chancellor Prof BR Kamboj, who was the chief guest on the occasion, stressed the importance of judicious use of natural resources amid rising population and climate change. He also emphasised on the need to take measures toward agricultural waste management, organic farming, renewable energy and ecological balance.

The conference was jointly organised by HAU and the Society for Sustainable Agriculture and Resource Management (SSARM). Representatives from Turkey, Japan, France and Denmark, along with participants from various Indian universities, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the Society for Sustainable Agriculture and Resource Management, the Indian Society of Forage Research and scientists and researchers from HAU took part in the event. Eight oral and 12 poster sessions were organised in the conference and 43 participants were felicitated for their outstanding presentations. Kamboj stressed promoting soil health cards, micro-irrigation systems and bio-fertilisers for sustainable agriculture. He also encouraged the production and consumption of local crops and nutritious grains to ensure food security.

During the oral sessions, scientists presenting their research were felicitated. In the first oral session, Dr Rakesh Punia from HAU secured first place and Dr Surender Sandhu from PAU Ludhiana was adjudged second. In the second session, Ekta won first place and Dr Krishna Rolania second; in the third session, Anshu Devi secured first spot and Dr Rakhi Gupta second; in the fourth session, Pooja Rani took first and Mansi Sheokand second place.

In the fifth session, Dr Kamla Malik from HAU’s Microbiology Department secured first position and Dr Shikha Mehta second; in the sixth session, Dr Khatira from Afghanistan secured first and Dr Vandana from HAU second; in the seventh session, Dr Deepika Kalkal took first spot and Ruchika Chaudhary second; in the eighth session, Dr Satpal from HAU’s Forage Section secured first position and Dr Jagdeep Singh from the Plant Pathology Department took second spot. Additionally, 27 participants were honoured in the 12 poster sessions.

Programme coordinator and Dean, College of Agriculture, Dr SK Pahuja, presented the report of the international conference. The stage was conducted by Jayanti Tokas.