IPNI research cooperators' meet at UAS

HUBLI: The International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) Research Cooperators' Meet 2014 was inaugurated at University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) Dharwad by PadmaBhushan Dr Raj S Paroda, Chairman, Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS), New Delhi on Tuesday.
Appreciating the IPNI for addressing critical issues of balanced plant nutrition across the globe, he emphasized the need for co-operation and partnerships across multi disciplinary groups and countries on the lines of IPNI.He highlighted the importance of soil and water management which was neglected during initial phase of green revolution. He called upon for a paradigm shift from genetic resource improvements to natural resource management in achieving global food security on sustainable basis.
Quoting the figures of nutrition efficiency in the Western world, Dr. Paroda reiterated the need to improve plant nutrient efficiency with holistic systems approach. He said there were two challenges before researchers namely; proper plant nutrient management and remunerative returns to farmers from input use. The researchers also need to focus on soil health and micronutrient deficiency management. He observed that, at present there was a policy paralysis with respect to agriculture at present. Therefore, he called upon the scientists to reorient plant nutrition research with Farmers First Approach to protect the interests of small holders.
Adrian Johnston, Vice-President and Asia and Africa Co-ordinator, IPNI recollected the decade long association of IPNI with UAS, Dharwad. He observed that fertilizers play an important role and nearly 40-60% increase in global food production comes from fertilizers alone. Keeping the projected increase in population both Asia and Africa, Dr. Johnston called upon to strengthen food security by putting together incremental technologies.
DP Biradar, Vice-Chancellor of UAS, Dharwad, gave a major credit of success of green revolution to crop improvement emphasized upon efficient and holistic plant nutrition for improving the crop productivity. Complimenting the efforts of IPNI in promoting the concept of balanced plant nutrition, he assured full support and co-operation of UAS, Dharwad to the activities of IPNI.
JV Goud, Former Vice-Chancellor, UAS, Dharwad, appreciated the role of IPNI in maintaining the global food security and said that the production of about 265 million tonnes of food at this stage would not have been possible without feeding the plant. RR Hanchinal, Chairman, PPV and FRA, New Delhi, Kaushik Majumdar and others were present on the occasion.