School of Agriculture organized an International Conference on Innovative Sustainable Agricultural & Livestock Technologies (ICISALT-2024)

The International Conference on Innovative Sustainable Agricultural & Livestock Technologies (ICISALT-2024) organized by the School of Agriculture at Graphic Era Hill University concluded with a grand Valedictory Ceremony, celebrating five days of impactful discussions and knowledge sharing. With over 120 abstracts submitted and engaging sessions by distinguished speakers and experts, the event focuses on:

• AI in Agriculture – The new electricity-driving innovation.
• Emerging technologies like drones, hydroponics, and gene editing.
• Addressing critical issues like livestock management, conservation, and wildlife conflict mitigation.
• Empowering Himalayan agriculture through collaboration, R&D, and sustainable solutions.

Honored to have distinguished speakers share their insights:

• Prof. (Dr.) Subodh Kumar Bhatnagar, Founder Secretary General of the Society for Plant Research (1988) and Editor-in-Chief of VEGETOS Journal highlighted the journal’s legacy and pivotal role in advancing agricultural research.
• Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay Kumar, Director, Uttarakhand Council for Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of Uttarakhand discussed managing 16% of the world’s livestock with just 2% of its geographical area, emphasizing AI, artificial insemination, and gene editing for climate-resilient varieties.
• Prof. (Dr.) Sunil Nautiyal, Director, GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (GBPNIHE) stressed the rejuvenation of Himalayan springs, cultivation of high-value crops, and the need to reduce women’s drudgery with technology.
• Dr. Jorge Batista da Rocha, Ensembl Outreach Project Leader, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, and Miss Louisse Paola Mirabueno, Ensembl Outreach Officer, EMBL-EBI, Cambridge advocated for open-access science, emphasizing platforms like ENSEMBL for fostering global collaboration and data utilization.

The Chief Guest, Prof. Dr. Anita Rawat, Director of USERC, Dehradun, graced the occasion. She congratulated Graphic Era Hill University and the Agriculture Department for organizing a strong and impactful conference. She emphasized the importance of sustainability, self-sustenance, and preserving traditional knowledge for future generations. She further highlighted the significance of nurturing the environment while ensuring food safety, encouraging everyone to work hand in hand for a sustainable future. The ceremony began with a 5-day event report presentation by Prof. Dr. M.K. Nautiyal, Dean of Agriculture, GEHU, and concluded with certificates and award distribution to the winners for Best Oral Presentation and Best Poster Presentation, recognizing their outstanding contributions.