#IISF2020: Time for Indian Farmers To Go 'Pro-tech' Instead of 'Protests'

 New Delhi, Dec 23: In the pandemic when a lot of excitement seems to have come to a halt, it is science and technology that is keeping the spirits high. One such live example is India International Science Festival (IISF) 2020 where science can be experienced virtually.

 

 

 

Though the world is facing a never-seen-before challenge, it has not stopped the IISF to skip the much important science exhibition. To keep the flame of Vijnana (science) burning, the IISF has decided to take the expo into the virtual world. The mega event is a one-of-its-kind and is much more beyond the expectations of people and easy to use.

 

Earlier, the IISF had organized around 20 events of various kinds for the physical-world festival but now it is expanded to 41 different events on the virtual platforms for a better experience. These events will History of Indian Science, Students Science Village, Waste Management and Sanitation, Science Diplomacy, etc. One of the most significant events among those, one can witness is events related to Agritech that is itself is a new concept. Technology also plays a major role in agriculture. In order to share knowledge about Agritech, there is a special event held in IISF 2020. Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Giriraj Singh will be chief guests.

 

 

The Agritech event will focus on agro-technologies like high-value crops (e.g. medicinal and aromatic crops, floriculture, stevia, heeng, saffron, etc.), vertical gardening, micro-propagation for industrially important crop plants, bio-fertilizers, and improved bee hive for quality and hygienic extraction of honey for enhancing net returns of farmers and generating employment. During this event, farmers will be linked to research institutes working on agro-technologies, so that they can get details about the package of practices for these agriculture-related technologies.

 

• There will be various talks -
• High-value natural sweetener crops (Stevia and Monk Fruit) cultivation for profitable farming
• Floriculture and medicinal aromatic plants as a new enterprise
• GM crops controversies: Myths and Realities
• Scope of vertical gardening and vertical farming in India
• Three Krishi ordinances an impetus for doubling farmers income
• Application of artificial intelligence in agriculture – Another Revolution?
• Bio-Fertilizers / Scope of producing bio-fertilizers at farmers’ farm level

A panel discussion will also be held on “The Challenges of Making India Self Reliant in Agriculture. Apart from this, there will be virtual interactions between farmers, industries, and entrepreneurs. There will be a students’ Posters competition and videos of farmers/ start-ups/ technical know-how will be shared.