The “Integrated Approaches for Sustainable Crop Science Innovation (IASCSI)” conference, held on January 31, 2025, at IIT Ropar, served as a crucial platform for researchers, policymakers, industry experts, and farmers to address the multifaceted challenges facing the agricultural sector. The conference, supported by the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, highlighted the urgent need for sustainable practices and the integration of advanced technologies to ensure food security and environmental sustainability. This policy paper consolidates the key insights from the conference, proposing actionable strategies for policy development and implementation. The aim is to promote a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable agricultural sector in India and beyond.
The Shastri Conference drive impactful conversations with its first panel discussion on Revolutionizing Agriculture: Crop Science’s Perspective on Integrated Technological Advancements.
Esteemed Panelists:
🔹 Dr. V. Geethalakshmi, Vice-Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
🔹 Prof. Athula Ginige, Professor at Western Sydney University
🔹 Dr. R S Sethi, Professor & Additional Director of Research, GADVASU, Ludhiana
🔹 Mr. Taranjeet Singh Bhamra, CEO & Founder, Agnext
🔹 Dr. Sonil Nanda, Assistant Professor & Canada Research Chair (Tier 2)
🔹 Dr. Navjot Kaur Plaksha University
🔹 Mr. Shivdeep Singh Brar , CEO, AgVisi Technologies Private Limited
🔹 Mr. Shubham Barik, Assistant Manager – Social, Grant Thornton Bharat LLP
This thought-provoking session explore how integrated technological advancements are shaping the future of Crop Science and sustainable agriculture.
The Second Panel discussion session bring together esteemed experts who share their insights on advancements in crop science, supportive government policies, and business innovation can drive sustainable agriculture.
Esteemed Panelists:
✅ Dr. N Subash Pillai – Head, Division of Agricultural Physics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute
✅ Dr. Alka Arora Scientist & Professor, Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, ICAR- Indian Council of Agricultural Research
✅ Dr. Pratap Kumar Pati, Ph.D – Professor & Head, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
✅ Ms. Neha Arora Chief operating officer PI-RAHI: Northern Region S&T Cluster
✅ Opinder Singh Sandhu – Scientist (Soils), Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
✅ Dr. Amaresh Panda – Lead, KIIT-TBI TTO
✅ Mr. Sumit Kaushik – Senior Account Director, Avian WE
The discussion delve into the evolving landscape of crop science and its integration with government policies aimed at fostering sustainable practices in agriculture. It was a great opportunity to explore emerging business prospects in the farm-to-table ecosystem and the role of technology in advancing agricultural sustainability.
The IASCSI conference highlighted the critical need for integrated and innovative approaches to transform the agricultural sector. The policy recommendations presented in this paper aim to build on the momentum generated by the conference, providing a roadmap for sustainable agricultural practices, enhanced resilience, and improved livelihoods for farmers. By implementing these recommendations, India can strive towards a more secure and sustainable agricultural future, benefiting its farmers and contributing to global food security. The conference also emphasized the importance of collaboration between stakeholders and the crucial role of technology in enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability. It is vital that the momentum from this conference be harnessed to continue promoting research, innovation and policy development in the field of agriculture.