A two-day national consultation on “Bioresources for Sustainable Development” was inaugurated here on Monday.
The consultation being organised jointly by the Institute of life Sciences (IlS), Bhubaneswar and the Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Imphal was aimed at discussing challenges and opportunities for improving agriculture productivity and health status of the tribal and rural population inhabiting bio-resources-rich regions.
Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Minster Dr Damodar Rout inaugurating the programme stressed on the need for conservation of natural resources and technological interventions for improving agriculture in the tribal regions where agriculture growth is lagging behind. He stressed on technology applications in an integrated way for growth in crops, forests, livestock and fisheries.
Science and Technology Minister Badrinarayan Patra advised scientists and researchers to use advanced biotechnological tools for drug discovery based on the traditional system of medicine while informing that Odisha is home to more than 1,200 medicinal plant species.
Agriculture Principal Secretary Manoj Ahuja and Science and Technology Secretary VV Yadav spoke about the various initiatives taken by the State Government for bioresources management, agriculture development and use of technology application. They called for urgent scientific and technological interventions for addressing challenges in agricultural production in view of climate change, reduced water availability, uncertain rainfall and market volatility.
Institute Director Dr Ajay Parida stressed the need for undertaking research in understanding the diversity, conservation and genetic enhancement of bioresources for improving lives and livelihoods of the rural and tribal communities.
IBSD Director Dr Dinabandhu Sahoo spoke about the striking similarity of biodiversity richness in Odisha and the north-east regions of the country and hoped that the collaboration between IlS and IBSD would contribute towards economic development of the region.
About 25 experts would address the consultation being attended by more than 125 participants. The inaugural programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by IlS Scientist Dr SK Das.