| News Details |
| Prof. Parshant Bakshi Delivers Keynote Address at International Conference in UAE | | 
Jammu, November 28 (Scoop News)-Prof. Parshant Bakshi, Head of the Division of Fruit Science and Incharge of the Centre for Organic and Natural Farming at SKUAST-Jammu, delivered an impactful keynote address on "Strategies for Climate Resilient Horticulture: Sustainable Fruit Production under Changing Climatic Conditions" during the five-day International Conference on Climate Change and Natural Resource Management, held from November 26-30, 2024, at the Grand Excelsior Hotel, Dubai. The event was organized by the Gochar Educational and Welfare Society (GEWSI), India.
The conference brought together 102 experts, including scientists, researchers, students, and entrepreneurs, from countries such as India, Indonesia, Thailand, and the UAE. The event aimed to address critical topics, including sustainable development, climate-smart agriculture, innovative agronomic and breeding practices, post-harvest management, value addition, and nanotechnology in agriculture and allied sciences.
Keynote Highlights:
Prof. Bakshi emphasized the pressing need to adopt climate-smart horticultural practices to ensure the sustainability and productivity of fruit crops amid increasing environmental uncertainties. He underscored India's vulnerability to climate change, highlighting that 27 out of 35 states and union territories are exposed to climate risks, with Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Bihar being particularly susceptible to extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and cyclones.
He elaborated on how climate change adversely impacts horticultural crops, including reduced flowering, lower yields, and compromised fruit quality due to rising night temperatures. Prof. Bakshi outlined several strategies for building resilience, including:
Climate-Smart Horticulture Systems: Adoption of adaptive practices such as water-efficient irrigation, organic amendments, and innovative planting systems.
Sustainable Technologies: Implementation of organic farming, high-density planting, varietal improvement, smart irrigation, and crop diversification to mitigate risks.
Policy and Community Engagement: Empowering farmers and stakeholders through participatory approaches to adopt sustainable practices.
Research and Innovation: Highlighting advancements like the Parbat walnut variety, developed under his leadership, as a significant contribution to climate-resilient horticulture.
He stressed that achieving climate resilience in horticulture demands collaborative efforts among researchers, policymakers, extension services, and farmers. Such efforts will ensure the long-term viability of crop production systems, secure food security, and improve rural livelihoods amidst the challenges posed by climate change.
Inaugural Session:
The conference was inaugurated in the presence of several distinguished guests. Prof. (Dr.) Mohammed Inairat, Vice Chancellor of Skyline University College, Sharjah, was the Chief Guest, while Dr. Thidarat Nimchua from Thailand graced the event as the Guest of Honour. Dr. J.P. Singh, President of GEWSI, presented a comprehensive report on the society's contributions, and Dr. Rajbir Singh, Organizing Secretary, extended a warm welcome to all dignitaries and delegates.
As a mark of recognition, Prof. J.P. Singh felicitated Prof. Bakshi with a memento and certificate for his exemplary presentation and contributions to the field of climate-resilient horticulture.
The keynote session sparked engaging discussions among participants, emphasizing the importance of preemptive adaptation strategies and knowledge-sharing to address global challenges. The conference underscored the collective responsibility of the global horticultural community to mitigate climate-related risks, ensuring sustainable practices that contribute to food security and the well-being of rural communities.
The event concluded with a call for international collaboration to foster innovative solutions and create a resilient and sustainable agricultural future.
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