Experts highlight need for smart agri practices

Prof Rajat Sandhir, Director of PU-IIT Ropar Regional Accelerator for Holistic Innovations (PI-RAHI), emphasized the growing importance of smart and sustainable agriculture in today’s changing times. He was addressing delegates from ten states during a one-day national summit organised by the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT) on “Smart & Sustainable Agriculture” in India.

Prof Sandhir discussed the summit’s key objectives and urged the adoption of environment-friendly and user-friendly agricultural technologies. He highlighted the need for innovation to meet current agricultural challenges and promote long-term sustainability.

VR Lazaga, vice-chairman of the Cooperative Development Authority and representative of the Network for the Development of Agricultural Cooperatives in Asia and the Pacific (NEDAC), Philippines, spoke on NEDAC’s role in uniting small rural producers to form large cooperative ventures aimed at exporting diverse agricultural products.

Jyoti Saroop from Unati Co-operative Marketing-cum-Processing Society Ltd, Talwara, Punjab, also shared insights on the significant role of cooperatives in advancing sustainable agricultural practices.