Barrackpore: ICAR–Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres (CRIJAF), Barrackpore, marked World Food Day with a special lecture aimed at raising awareness about the role of science and innovation in building nutrition-secure and climate-resilient food systems. The observance followed this year’s World Food Day theme, “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.”
Call for Innovation and Sustainable Practices
Addressing the gathering, Dr Gouranga Kar, Director, ICAR–CRIJAF, stressed the need for scientific innovation, collective responsibility and sustainable agricultural practices to ensure food and nutritional security for a growing population. He also highlighted the importance of natural fibres in promoting sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.
Lecture on Genome Editing
The distinguished guest and speaker for the occasion was Prof. (Dr) Kailash C. Bansal, Former Director, ICAR–National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, and Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences. He delivered an insightful lecture titled “Genome Editing for Food, Nutrition, and Climate Resilience.”
Prof. Bansal explained how genome editing can contribute to higher crop productivity, improved nutrition and greater tolerance to stress, while also conserving natural resources and reducing dependence on chemical inputs.
Review of Ongoing Research
Prof. Bansal also reviewed the Institute’s ongoing genome editing project. He offered valuable suggestions to strengthen current research on functional genomics and genome editing in jute and allied fibre crops.
Active Participation
Scientists, technical personnel, research scholars, students and other staff members of the Institute took part in the programme, making the World Food Day observance informative and enriching.
Source: ICAR–Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres, Barrackpore