A two-day 18th Science and Environment Congress, organised jointly by the Odisha Environment Society and the OUAT concluded here on Sunday.
Attending the function, Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) Director General and Union Agriculture Research and Education Secretary Dr Trilochan Mahapatra said the genetically modified crops would be widely accepted in coming days which will provide food security to millions of people. He said that so far researches have not found any harmful effects of these crops on human health.
Former Principal of Ravenshaw College Prof Amulya Kumar Panda encouraged the young researchers and students to work dedicatedly for the conservation of nature.
Union Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change Advisor Dr Birendra Pratap Uppadhaya called for controlling population growth and concerted efforts at all levels for protection of biodiversity. He cautioned that unless prompt actions are taken, it may transform the world into a lifeless planet.
Presiding over the function, OUAT Vice Chancellor Surendranath Pasupalak advised the agriculture scientists to focus on evolving more efficient farming practices to boost production. Dr Jayakrushna Panigrahi gave welcome address.
Dr Mahapatra was felicitated for contribution in the field of agriculture research. Over 500 delegates from various colleges, universities and research institutes attended. Organising secretary of Prof Mishra gave vote of thanks.