ICISALT-2024: A 5-Day International Conference on Innovations in Sustainable Agriculture & Livestock Technologies

The School of Agriculture, Graphic Era Hill University, hosted the prestigious International Conference on Innovative Sustainable Agricultural & Livestock Technologies (ICISALT 2024) from November 20 to 24, 2024, focusing on advancing sustainable practices in agriculture and livestock. The conference featured esteemed dignitaries, including Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay Jasola, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, GEHU, who delivered a thought-provoking address on “The Future of Tech-Driven Agriculture,” highlighting the transformative role of AI and emerging technologies in the agricultural domain.

The conference was inaugurated by Prof. (Dr.) M.K. Nautiyal, Dean, School of Agriculture, who presented the university's strides in agribusiness and conservation. Distinguished speakers included Prof. (Dr.) Subodh Kumar Bhatnagar, Founder Secretary General, SPR & Editor-in-Chief, VEGETOS Journal; Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay Kumar, Director, Uttarakhand Cooperative Bank; and Prof. (Dr.) Sunil Nautiyal, Director, GBPNIHE, who emphasized the importance of sustainable Himalayan agriculture. International experts Dr. Jorge Batista da Rocha, Ensembl Outreach Project Leader, and Miss Louisse Paola Mirabueno, Ensembl Outreach Officer from EMBL-EBI, Cambridge, led exclusive workshops on genome analysis and REST API integration, empowering participants with advanced genomic research techniques.

The conference spanned sub-themes such as AI in agriculture, livestock management, conservation, and crop diversification, with notable contributions from Dr. R.K. Gautam (ICAR-NBPGR) and Dr. Lekh Chand (ICAR-IISWC), focusing on climate-resilient crops and sustainable farming practices. On Day 4, sessions chaired by Dr. M.K. Nautiyal explored indigenous breed conservation and the integration of AI/IoT in livestock management, with impactful insights from Dr. Shive Kumar (GB Pant University) and Dr. Priyank Vyas (GEIMS, Dehradun).

The Valedictory Ceremony, graced by Prof. (Dr.) Anita Rawat, Director of USERC, celebrated the impactful success of ICISALT-2024, emphasizing sustainability and the preservation of traditional knowledge. The event concluded with a detailed report by Dr. M.K. Nautiyal, and special honors, including the Distinguished Leadership Quality Award presented to Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay Jasola by VEGETOS Springer Nature. Dr. Pallavi Joshi, Dr. Parul Chaudhary, and other young scientists were recognized for their contributions. Organizing secretaries Dr. Balwant Singh Rawat, Dr. Pallavi Joshi, and Dr. Arvind Singh Negi were lauded for their dedication, making ICISALT-2024 a beacon of innovation, collaboration, and sustainable agricultural advancements.