Bharathiar University Hosts National Conference on Sustainable Agriculture

Bharathiar University's Department of Botany organized the Ninth Asian PGPR National Conference, focusing on sustainable agriculture through beneficial microbes. The event drew 600 participants from various backgrounds and countries.


Coimbatore: The Department of Botany at Bharathiar University hosted the Ninth Asian PGPR National Conference on Monday, addressing the theme "The Beneficial Microbes as Integrated Approach for Sustainable Agriculture: Opportunities and Challenges." The event featured an innovative open house session that brought together cultivators, agro-industrialists, scholars, and professors to discuss sustainable plant growth, with a focus on the role of microbes, organic manures, and bio-fertilizers.

The conference attracted approximately 600 participants, including students, research scholars, professors, scientists, farmers, and industrialists from various Indian states and countries such as Sri Lanka and the United States. Attendees presented their research findings on diverse methods to enhance agricultural practices and productivity.

The two-day event received funding from several prestigious organizations, including the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), New Delhi; Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), New Delhi; Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS), Mumbai; Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi; National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Chennai; and Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology (TNSCST), Chennai. Additionally, 12 leading bio industries from states like Telangana, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu supported the conference.

Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice P. Sathasivam, inaugurated the National Conference, which was jointly organized with the Asian PGPR Society for Sustainable Agriculture, Alabama, USA. Justice Sathasivam released the conference proceedings in the form of a book, compiling sustainable agricultural practices, latest advancements, and perspectives in agriculture. The release ceremony was attended by T. Parimelazhagan, Professor and Head of the Department of Botany at Bharathiar University and conference Convenor, along with P. Ponmurugan, Associate Professor and organizing secretary.

S. Soundararajan, Director of the Tea Board Ministry of Commerce and Industry, delivered an address highlighting the crucial role of microbes in enhancing soil health, promoting plant growth, and reducing the ecological footprint of agricultural practices.

M.S. Reddy, Chairman of the Asian PGPR Society for Sustainable Agriculture, Alabama, USA, provided an in-depth overview of the Society's initiatives aimed at benefiting farmers. The event was presided over by Rupa Gunaseelan, the University Registrar In-Charge.

The conference serves as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration in the field of sustainable agriculture, bringing together experts and stakeholders from various sectors to address the challenges and opportunities in this critical area.

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