A day-long conference on climate change resilient sustainable agriculture was organized by the Department of Agriculture at Sheikh-ul-Alam hall Budgam today.The conference was inaugurated by Director Agriculture Kashmir Syed Altaf Aijaz Andrabi.On the occasion, the Director Agriculture said that the climate change is a global phenomenon and agriculture is one of the most important sectors that gets directly affected by it. He said climate resilient technologies are in an evolving stage, therefore for sustainable agriculture in the rain-fed areas integrated and eco-friendly cultural practices are to be adopted.While mentioning climate change resilient sustainable agriculture programme, Director Agriculture said that in the initial stage Block Budgam of District Budgam has been adopted under this programme and all the transformations taking place on the ground are being closely monitored.
To mitigate the effects of climate change in the farming sector the adaptive capabilities of farmers, and the optimal utilization of different resources are some of the issues seriously needed to be taken care of, he said.Andrabi said that the challenges raised by climate change are a continuous process and the battle to fight with these challenges is an ongoing evolving process. He said strategies, technologies and programmes are to be devised in a such a way that could have long-term and positive impact not only in terms of agro-economic sustainability but on the environmental front as well.The conference was attended by Chief Agriculture Officer Budgam, representatives from NABARD, Environmental scientists, climate change experts, senior officers of district administration and other officers and officials of the department.Later, the Director Agriculture visited different stalls established by the organizers showcasing various transformations recorded under the climate change resilient sustainable agriculture programme.