SRINAGAR: The 43rd Annual National Convention of the Indian Society of Mycology and Plant Pathology (ISMPP) began at the University of Kashmir on Thursday, bringing together experts and officials to deliberate on emerging challenges in plant pathology and ways to strengthen climate-resilient agriculture.
Minister for Agriculture Production, Finance, Mining and Cooperative Departments, Javid Ahmad Dar, addressed the inaugural session of the three-day convention, being held from October 29 to 31 under the theme “Advances and Challenges in Plant Pathology under Climate-Resilient Agriculture”.
In his presidential address, Dar highlighted the changes taking place in Kashmir’s horticulture sector, observing that several apple varieties commonly cultivated in the Valley a decade or two ago were no longer found.
Linking the shift to changing horticultural practices, he stressed the need to identify and promote crop varieties that could withstand changing climatic conditions while remaining economically viable for growers.
He said changing weather patterns and increasing disease pressures posed significant challenges to agriculture and horticulture, which sustain livelihoods across Jammu and Kashmir. He called for research-based interventions and practical measures to help growers adapt to these changes, safeguard crop health and maintain production.
Describing the Government’s Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) as a unique initiative with no parallel in the country, the Minister emphasised the importance of financial assistance and institutional support to make agriculture and horticulture more sustainable and economically viable.
Vice-Chancellor of Kashmir University, Professor Nilofer Khan, who was the guest of honour, said the convention’s theme was particularly relevant amid climate change, emerging plant diseases, declining soil health, food security concerns and the need for environmental sustainability.
She highlighted the importance of these issues for Jammu and Kashmir, where apple, saffron, walnut and other high-value crops make a significant contribution to the regional economy.
The convention is jointly organised by the University’s Department of Botany and ISMPP, in collaboration with Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur.
Dr K.L. Gurjar, Joint Director, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, and Professor S.S. Chahal, President of ISMPP and former Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology (MPUAT), also addressed the inaugural session.
Dr Pokhar Rawal, Secretary of ISMPP, spoke about the national convention, while a souvenir was released on the occasion.
Dr Suresh Panday was conferred the ISMPP’s Chahal Lifetime Achievement Award during the inaugural session.
Professor Aijaz Ahmad Wani, Head of the Department of Botany at Kashmir University and convener of the convention, delivered the welcome address. Professor Mohd Yaqub Bhat, also from the department and organising secretary of the event, presented the opening remarks. Professor Abdul Hamid Wani is the co-convener.
