The Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikode is hosting a three-day international symposium on plantation crops at the Gateway Hotel in the city from Wednesday. Renowned agricultural scientist Prof. M.S. Swaminathan will inaugurate the event.
The symposium will take stock of recent developments and issues in plantation crops sector, said the organisers in a release here.
The symposium will deliberate on the issues related to the plantation crops sector which includes crops like coconut, tea, coffee, rubber, cocoa, cardamom and cashew. P. Rajendran, Vice Chancellor, Kerala Agricultural University, will deliver the presidential address during the inaugural session.
Dignitaries attending the symposium include Rajani Ranjan Rashmi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India; N. K. Krishna Kumar, Deputy Director General, Horticultural Science, ICAR; and M. Anandaraj, Director, Indian Institute of Spices Research. More than 350 delegates from India and abroad, representing different stakeholders like research institutions, development agencies, agro-industry, farmers, extension professionals, trade associations and policy makers actively working in the plantation crops sector will participate in the symposium.
The event according to the organisers will provide a forum to discuss recent developments in the production technology, utilization, value addition and marketing of products from plantation crops. It will also discuss the emerging challenges and concerns with respect to the plantation crops sector like climate change, mechanization, changes in domestic and international market environment.
The principal theme of the symposium shall be ‘Converging technologies for Sustainability.’
Apart from lectures from eminent scientists and administrators, separate technical sessions on plant health management, knowledge management, production systems, and value chain management will also be held during the three days.
A special Farmer-Entrepreneur-Researcher interface session has also been arranged as a part of the symposium to streamline the developmental agenda in plantation crops.
A three-day agricultural exhibition showcasing the latest technologies, innovations and products in agriculture and allied sectors is also being organised at Edamaram square on P.T Usha Road during the period as part of the symposium.
