A Confluence of Agriculture, Innovation and Collaboration titled “SANGAM-2024” organized by ICAR-NRRI, Cuttack
A confluence and interface of researchers, state departments and industry leaders was organized at ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack on 15th March, 2024 entitled as “SANGAM-2024” with the joint efforts of the State Agricultural University, OUAT, Bhubaneswar and ICAR-National Rice Research Institute Cuttack. The aim of SANGAM-2024 was to showcase a diverse array of technologies/ products/ patents/ processes/ services in the field of agriculture, fisheries, horticulture, water management, tuber crops, poultry, oil seeds, pulses, animal husbandry and engineering developed by the institutes, state departments and various other organizations for their effective dissemination, upscaling and commercialization.
Dr. P.K. Roul, Vice Chancellor, OUAT, Bhubaneswar was the Chief guest and chairman for SANGAM-2024 with Dr. Arjamadutta Sarangi, Director, ICAR-Indian Institute of Water Management, Bhubaneswar as the guest of honour for the occasion. The Chief Guest of the function Dr. P.K. Roul emphasized in his speech that OUAT has generated several sustainable technologies, which have helped to increase the production and productivity of crops and commodities in the State. There has been development of new crop varieties in various field crops, vegetable crops, spices and fruit crops. Adoption of high yielding varieties and new technologies had enabled the farmers to increase production and generate additional income. He further elucidated that a multi-pronged approach has been adopted by the Government of Odisha to build institutional network at Government, FPO and at the ecosystem level with a mandate to help build an inclusive, collaborative ecosystem in Odisha that achieves increased profitability and sustainability of farmer collectives and improves income gains from agriculture for small-scale producers.
Dr. Arjamadutta Sarangi, Guest of Honour of the function expressed that water management in agriculture is particularly critical in the face of climate change, as shifts in precipitation patterns, increasing temperatures, and extreme weather events pose significant challenges to food production. But by integrating strategies like precision irrigation technologies, crop selection and rotation, soil conservation and management, agroforestry and integrated farming systems, climate-smart agricultural practices, capacity building and knowledge sharing, policy support and investment into agricultural water management planning and implementation, farmers can enhance their resilience to climate change, improve water use efficiency, and ensure sustainable food production for future generations.
Earlier, Dr. A.K Nayak, Director, ICAR-NRRI, Cuttack welcomed the dignitaries and the participants and recounted the background of organizing such interface endeavour as per the ICAR directives. He stated that SANGAM’s objective is to identify researchable issues, status and technology gap in different sector of agriculture, so as to leverage private sector for taking the commercializable technologies developed by OUAT and ICAR institutes to different stake holders and forging industry-SAU-ICAR institute partnership. He said that Odisha has contributed immensely to the country foodgrain production during last 5 years. Odisha’s contribution in the national rice production increased from 6 to 7% during last 5 years. Interestingly, area under millet had increased by 74%. Productivity of cotton, maize, rice, ragi, pulses & oilseeds have increased greatly though at different rates, which can be further accelerated. Currently, the state become a surplus state in rice, milk, poultry, and fish fingerling production. Dr. Nayak further added that agricultural systems are confronting unprecedented challenges due to climate changes, so climate-resilient rice varieties developed by NRRI offers promising avenues for safeguarding food security and livelihoods in the state. By harnessing the potential of these varieties and fostering collaboration across stakeholders, we can pave the way for a more resilient and sustainable future for rice production.
Researchers from different ICAR institutes in Odisha and from OUAT, Bhubaneswar, participated in the event. Panel discussions comprising researchers, policyholders, professionals and stakeholders on topic encompassing sustainability, technological innovations, market trends etc. was held. There were deliberations by researchers and state departments to showcase their recently developed commercializable technologies, the possibilities of collaborations among institutes and state departments and multi-location testing of technologies across the state for identification of specific target areas of their effective implementation. More than twenty industries participated to avail the unique platform to explore innovations, share insights and foster collaborations in the dynamic fields of agriculture and allied sectors. Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) and Expression of Interests (EoIs) were also signed among the institutes and Industry leaders.
The valedictory function was Chaired by Dr. A.K. Nayak, Director, ICAR-NRRI, Cuttack. In his remarks, he stressed that the indicators of the success of SANGAM-2024 are number of industry represented, MOUs signed or expression of interest showing future collaborative research projects conceived and the state benefits from the interface meeting.
The program ended with vote of thanks by Dr. G. A. K. Kumar, Head, Social Science Division and Co-Member Secretary, SANGAM-2024 at the end of the programme. Dr. Sutapa Sarkar and Dr. N.N. Jambhulkar organized SANGAM-2024 as Organizing Secretary and Co-Organizing Secretary, respectively.
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