ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI), Port Blair, in collaboration with the Technology Innovation Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), DST, New Delhi, organized a Round Table Discussion on "Climate Resilient Agriculture Technologies for Islands" on 15th May, 2024, at ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair. Agriculture in islands is particularly vulnerable to climate vagaries such as rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and sea level rise. Therefore, both adaptation and mitigation strategies are crucial for island agriculture.During the inaugural session of the meeting, Prof. Pradeep Srivastava, Executive Director, TIFAC, highlighted the significance of this important meeting in formulating strategies to cut down carbon emissions by 2047. He emphasized the need to develop innovative energy-efficient technologies to minimize energy use. In his address, Dr. Sammi Reddy, Director, ICAR-NIASM, Baramati, stressed the importance of climate-resilient technologies suitable for the island ecosystem. He emphasized planning and the effective use of contingency plans to adapt climate-resilient agricultural farming systems.Dr. Gauranga Kar, Director, ICAR-CRIJAF, highlighted that resources are depleting and all stakeholders must work in collaboration to address climate change issues in the future. Dr. Gautam Goswamy, Scientist-G, TIFAC, reiterated that the Prime Minister has already set a target of zero emissions by 2070 and aims to reduce per capita energy consumption by 50% by 2047. Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI, underscored the role of suitable technologies in mitigating climate change issues. He stressed that the ICAR-CIARI is the only unique institute in the country addressing all the issues of islands ecosystem through climate resilient varieties, technologies and policy intervention.
The meeting was attended by expert speakers from different parts of the country. Keynote addresses on various climate change issues, such as the adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture Technologies, abiotic stress management, the use of renewable energy sources in agriculture, and climate-resilient technologies for islands, were delivered by Dr. R.N. Sahoo, Principal Scientist, IARI, New Delhi; Dr. Dayakar Rao, Principal Scientist, ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad; Dr. Senthil Kumar; Dr. T.H. Singh, Principal Scientist, ICAR-IIHR; Dr. Nayan Ahmad, Principal Scientist, ICAR-IIHR; Dr. Swarnam T.P., Head, Organic Agriculture System, ICAR-IIFSR, Modipuram; Dr. Sethupathi N.; and Dr. Helen Mary Rose from TIFAC.Representatives from the development department, BSI, and all scientists of ICAR-CIARI participated in the meeting. The program was coordinated by Dr. Jai Sunder, Principal Scientist & Head, Division of Animal Science, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair.