V-C stresses need for innovations to promote eco-friendly farming

Vice-chancellor N.K. Lokanath on Thursday gave a call for bringing together ideas and innovations that can strengthen eco-friendly farming practices, promote biological diversity, and ensure a healthier planet for future generations.

Presiding over the ninth international conference on ‘Advances in Agriculture, Biological and Biodiversity Conservation–2025’ organised by the Department of Studies in Botany, University of Mysore, in collaboration with the Agricultural Technology Development Society (ATDS), Uttar Pradesh, here, he said our survival, our economy and our health depends on how responsibly we manage and restore our natural resources.

Sustainable agriculture and bio-diversity conservation are not just academic discussions; they are the need of the hour, he stated.

The Vice-Chancellor said we are living in an era where the challenges of climate change, habitat loss, soil degradation and declining bio-diversity threaten not only ecosystems but also global food security.

The theme of conference ‘Advances in Agriculture, Biological and Biodiversity Conservation for Sustainable Development’ is truly relevant in today’s times, he opined.

S.R. Niranjana, Vice-Chairperson, Karnataka State Higher Education Council, inaugurated the conference and spoke on the occasion.

The three-day conference has brought together scientists, academicians, policymakers, research scholars, and postgraduate students from India and abroad to discuss innovations and challenges in agriculture, biological sciences, and biodiversity conservation.

M. Sanjappa, renowned taxonomist and former director of Botanical Survey of India delivered key-note address on “Floristic diversity in India: An overview”.

Senior scientist V.K. Sharma, Botany Department Chairman Rajkumar H. Garampalli, dean G.R. Janardhana, organisers K.N. Amruthesh, M. Murali, Joginder Singh, and others were present.