SRINAGAR: A three-day national conference on “Technological Integrations in Agriculture, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences for Viksit Bharat (TIC-2026)” commenced on Wednesday at the Shalimar campus of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K).
Organised in collaboration with the Society for Integrated Development of Agriculture, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences (SIDAVES), the conference has brought together scientists, academicians, policymakers, industry representatives and researchers from across the country to discuss emerging challenges and opportunities in agriculture and allied sectors.
Speaking at the inaugural session, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, highlighted the importance of technological integration in transforming India’s agricultural sector and achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. He emphasized the growing role of digital agriculture, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, precision farming and climate-smart technologies in enhancing productivity, sustainability and food security.
Prof. Ganai also stressed the need for stronger collaboration among researchers, policymakers, industry stakeholders and farmers to accelerate innovation and ensure sustainable agricultural growth.
Director Extension, Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth, outlined the objectives of the conference and underscored the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in promoting innovation-driven agricultural development.
The inaugural session was attended by Director Education Prof. Mohammad Altaf Bhat, Registrar Prof. Azmat Alam Khan and SIDAVES Founder President Prof. J.P. Sharma, among others.
More than 250 delegates from leading institutions, including ICAR institutes, State Agricultural Universities, research organisations and extension agencies, are participating in the event.
Over the next three days, the conference will feature eight technical sessions covering topics such as precision agriculture, nanotechnology, machine learning, genetic resource management, regenerative agriculture, post-harvest technologies, biodiversity conservation and climate change management.
A special lecture on “Speed Breeding” will be delivered by Prof. Vikas K. Singh, Director and Lead South Asia at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). A panel discussion has also been scheduled to formulate recommendations aimed at addressing contemporary challenges facing the agricultural sector.
The conference is expected to facilitate knowledge exchange, showcase research innovations and contribute to policy discussions on sustainable agricultural development and ecological resilience.
