Suttur, December 17, 2019: The ICAR-JSS Krishi Vignan Kendra (KVK), Suttur, in association with the ICAR Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), Bengaluru; Extension Education Society (EES) and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) had jointly organised a three-day International Conference on Extension for Strengthening Agricultural Research and Development (eSARD 2019), from December 14-16, 2019, at Suttur, in Mysuru District. The conference was organised in commemoration of the Silver Jubilee Year of JSS KVK, which was established in 1994, by the JSS Mahavidyapeetha, Mysuru.
The programme was inaugurated by Dr. A.K. Singh, Deputy Director General, ICAR, New Delhi, in the divine presence of His Holiness Paramapujya Sri Shivaratri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji, present Pontiff of Suttur Math.
In his inaugural address, Dr. A.K. Singh expressed his view that the existing technologies and mechanisms were not sufficient to double the income of farmers. He called upon the extension scientists to find innovative approaches and methodologies for the transfer of technologies, to augment the farmers’ income.
He opined that ICAR has developed 45 integrated farming system models, which are suitable for different agro-climatic zones and the farmers need to adopt them. He also stressed on the need of extension researchers to work on climate-resilient agriculture holistically. Further, he stressed upon them to assess appropriate technologies to suit the location specificity and provide suitable feedback to the research system.
Presiding over the function, Dr. M. Mahadevappa, Director, Rural Development, JSS MVP spoke about the need of strengthening agriculture research and extension for the effective transfer of technologies.
Dr. S. Rajendra Prasad, Vice-Chancellor, University of Agriculture Science, Bengaluru, participated as the chief guest and spoke on the importance of quality seeds for enhanced agriculture productivity. Chief Guest Dr. C.G. Betsurmath, Executive Secretary, JSS Mahavidyapeetha appreciated the 25th year of work by JSS KVK for the betterment of the farming community.
During the programme, conference abstracts and publications of JSS ICAR KVK were released. Former Vice Chancellors, Directors of Extension and Research, and Professors who rendered yeoman service to the farming community were felicitated.
Prof. H. Philip, President, Extension Education Society, Coimbatore, spoke on the importance of the conference.
Dr. M.J. Chandregowda, Director, ATARI, welcomed the guests and delegates.
The three-day International Conference included deliberations on agricultural research and extension systems and approaches, extension education and extension research, evolving institutional innovations, digital and conventional media, value-chain and market-led extension and gender and youth perspectives in education, research, and development.
More than 200 delegates participated in the inaugural programme. The programme ended with a vote of thanks by Dr. Arun Balamatti, Senior Scientist and Head, JSS ICAR KVK, Suttur.
Pic caption: Dr. A.K. Singh, Deputy Director General, ICAR, New Delhi, inaugurating the three-day International conference on Extension for Strengthening Agricultural Research and Development, organised by the ICAR JSS KVK, in Sutur.