Workshop On Agrometeorology Begins At PAU, Experts Discuss Climate Change Issues

Ludhiana, December 5, 2016: The “XIV Biennial Workshop of All India Coordinated Research Project on Agrometeorology (AICRPAM)” kicked off at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today amidst the participation of nearly 100 scientists from 25 centres of AICRPAM in different State Agricultural Universities and ICAR institutes across the country. The three-day workshop has been jointly organized by the School of Climate Change and Agricultural Meteorology, PAU and the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), Hyderabad.

In his inaugural address, the Chief Guest, Dr S. Bhaskar, Assistant Director General (Agronomy, Agro-Forestry and Climate Change), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), emphasized on combating the climate change issues for enhanced agricultural productivity and profitability.

In his presidential remarks, Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, expressed concern over the climatic changes and the global warming. “The increase in carbon dioxide in the air is resulting in the increase in temperature and in short winters,” he said. The present scenario calls for addressing various climate change issues through collective efforts of ICAR, PAU and other agricultural institutions, he added.

Earlier, Dr M.S. Gill, Director of Research, PAU, welcomed the dignitaries, delegates and faculty of PAU. He said, “India is an agriculture based country, where farmer is dependent on weather for his farm production.” The fluctuating weather is a big challenge for the farmers, he observed, while stressing the need to cope up with its challenges.

Dr C. Srinivasa Rao, Director, CRIDA, also voiced concern over disturbing weather conditions, affecting the farm productivity and delay in monsoons, leading to water crisis. Dr Rao lauded the Central Government for initiating Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna and for celebrating World Soil Day on December 5.

Dr Vijay Kumar, Project Coordinator, AICRPAM CRIDA, Hyderabad, presented the coordinator’s report and underlined the need to form strategies to tackle climate change related problems.

Dr L.K. Dhaliwal, Director, School of Climate Change and Agricultural Meteorology, proposed a vote of thanks.

On the occasion, Dr Dhillon released a set of eight publications and honoured the former faculty members, Dr S.S. Hundal, Dr T.S. Tiwana and Dr G.S. Mani.