Session II: Sustainable Resource Management Including Seed Systems

Greater focus on natural resource management for sustainable agri-food systems aiming at higher productivity, sustainability, profitability and environmental protection is envisioned. This mega event will provide a platform for scientists/researchers working in the area of quality seed system, nutrient management, precision agriculture, cropping systems/integrated farming systems, alternative farming practices like organic farming, conservation agriculture, natural farming, urban farming and climate resilient agriculture to deliberate and discuss in order to transform tuber crops farming to make it smart and sustainable.

A. Innovative Approaches for Quality Seed Systems

• Advanced and rapid multiplication techniques for disease-free, high-quality planting materials (e.g., apical shoot culture, aeroponics, bioreactor systems)
• Establishment of formal seed systems/decentralized seed systems and community seed banks for tuber crops

B. Efficient Nutrient and Water Management Strategies

• Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) and precision farming technologies (Site-Specific Nutrient Management, drip, fertigation, AI & IoT sensor enabled smart farming etc.)
• Role of microbial consortia and rhizosphere engineering in nutrient cycling

C. Resilient Cropping/Farming Systems and Regenerative Farming

• Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) involving tuber crops to diversify income and reduce risk
• Intercropping, sequential cropping, and crop intensification models adapted to different agro-ecologies
• Conservation agriculture, organic farming and natural farming practices to improve soil health and resilience

D. Climate-Resilient Agriculture and Resource Optimization

• Adaptation and mitigation strategies for tuber crops under climate-induced stress (drought, submergence, temperature extremes)
• Carbon sequestration potential and role of tuber crops in carbon foot print reduction for climate mitigation
• Climate-Smart Villages (CSV) for resilience

E. Urban and Controlled Environment Agriculture

• Scope of vertical farming, hydroponics, and rooftop gardens for urban and peri-urban tuber production
• Low-space high-yield models for household nutrition and urban food security