Plant science and genetic research key to sustainable progress: V-C Lokanath

University of Mysore Vice-Chancellor N.K. Lokanath on Thursday emphasised that plant science and genetic research form the cornerstone of sustainable progress.

“Whether it is ensuring food and nutritional security, conserving biodiversity, combating climate change, or discovering new medicinal compounds, botany and genetics are no longer confined to academic corridors. They are central to solving the existential challenges of our time,” the Vice-Chancellor said.

He was speaking after inaugurating the national seminar on New Trends in Botany and XV All India Conference on Cytology and Genetics, organised by the Department of Botany, University of Mysore, here.

The V-C added, “This conference, thus, is not just a meeting of scholars; it is a call to action—a call to rethink, rediscover, and reimagine the way we interact with and study the plant kingdom.”

Prof. Lokanath highlighted the Plant Science Decadal Vision 2020–2030, developed during the Plant Science Summit 2019 by the Plant Science Research Network. The vision lays out a transformative agenda that integrates research, policy, and technology in bold and innovative ways.

“This vision goes far beyond technical breakthroughs,” the V-C noted.

“It challenges us, the global plant science community, to transform the very culture of research, rethink our training paradigms, and strengthen the connection between scientific innovation and societal needs,” he explained.

At the heart of the decadal vision lies a simple but powerful idea—rethinking the potential of plants for a healthy and sustainable future, he noted.

Former V-C Niranjan, Botany Department Chairman Rajkumar K. Garampalli, and other dignitaries attended.