26 Sep 2007|Noida

National Seminar on Technological Upgradation in Biofertilizer and Biopesticide Production inaugurated at Amity

From L-R Dr. Raj Singh, Dr. V.V. Sadamate, Maj. Gen. K.J. Singh, Dr. K.S. Money

Amity Institute of Bio-Organic Research and Studies and Amity Science, Technology and Innovation Foundation in collaboration with Planning Commission, Government of India conducted one day National Seminar on “Technology Upgradation in Biofertiliser and Biopesticide Production” at Amity University, Sector- 125 Noida. The Seminar addressed all important issues related to technological developement of bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides through interaction of eminent scientists, research workers, representative from reputed institutes industry and policy makers. Deliberations and discussions focused on formulating appropriate strategic national policy to deal with various technical constraints in respect of shelf life, carrier selection, packaging, storage, strain identification, packaging and possible ways for technology up-gradation in production of bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides.

The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. K.S Money- Chairman, Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Dr. V. Sadamate, Advisor (Agriculture) Planning Commission, Dr. T.P. Rajendran, Assistant Director General (Plant Protection) ICAR, Dr. Vandana Dwivedi, Jt. Advisor Agriculture, Planning Commission, Maj. Gen K. Jay Singh, Vice Chancellor, Amity University.

Dr. K. S. Money- Chairman, APEDA shared with the audience the importance of Bio-fertilizer and Bio-pesticide. Dr Money said that the indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has resulted in various environmental and health hazards. Our soils are rapidly depleted of their fertility under intensive agriculture. In order to curtail the use of chemical inputs and evolve a sustainable method of agriculture, emphasis should be laid on use of bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides. The excessive and un-uniform use of chemicals led to several damaging consequences which include contamination of ground water and soil, toxic accumulations in the food chain, destruction of soil fertility, resistance to several pests and disease vectors etc.

Dr. V. Sadamate, Advisor (Agriculture) Planning Commission said that by using biofertilizers application, the yield increases between 11 to 16.7 percent. Looking at the importance of biofertilizers, the Government of India launched “National Project on Development and use of biofertilizers in 1983” According to Dr. Sadamate currently more than 100 biofertilizers production units are engaged in commercial production of biofertilizers in India. The poor consumption of biofertilizers in India is due to constraints like poor shelf life, inadequate storage facility. Bio pesticides have been viewed as sound alternative as there are presently 400 biopesticides production unit and the two most popular biopesticides are Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and neem preparation.

Dr. P. Bhattacharyya, Director, Amity Institute of Bio-Organic Research and Studies welcomed the panelists and invitees. Speaking on the theme of Seminar, Dr. Bhattacharyya said that the formulations of bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides are based on highly specialized technologies which need upgrading from time to time in keeping with the recent developments in the area. Realising the need in this context, Amity oragnised this one day seminar on Technology upgradation of bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides. Dr. Bhattacharyya said that despite having tremendous scope, the use of bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides are not getting momentum as expected. It is our responsibility to upgrade the technology so that farmers can get success with its use.

During the technical sessions, Dr. Vandana Dwivedu, Jt. Advisor, Planning Commission spoke on Government policy on bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides promotion in India. Dr. D.L.N. Rao, Project Coordinator, IISS, Bhopal presented review of BNF research in India and rethinking on bio-fertilizers research and development for future. Dr .T.P. Rajendra

Dr. K.S. Money addressing the gathering

Dr. V. Sadamate addressing the gathering

Dr. V. Sadamate fecilitated by Dr. Raj Singh