Vellayani 23-03-2024 The Training Service Scheme, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University has organized a two-day International Seminar on “Sustainable Urban Agricultural Systems and Sustainable Cities” on 22 and 23 March 2024. Dr. Nitya Rao, Norwich Institute for Sustainable Development, United Kingdom Director inaugurated the seminar. Sri. Nagesh SS, Agri Chief, Planning Board, Kerala; Dr. Roy Stephen, Dean of Faculty, KAU; Dr. Thomas George, General Council Member, KAU; Dr. Anith K N, Assoc. Director of Research; Dr. Shalini Pillai, Staff Secretary; Dr. G.S. Sreedaya, Organizing Secretary were present in the inaugural session. Dr. Sheetal Patil, Senior Consultant, Indian Institute of Human Settlements (IIHS), Bengaluru; Dr. Parama Roy, Adjunct Faculty, IIT Madras; Shri. Sarath Babu M G, Lead, Climate Centre for Cities, National Institute of Urban Affairs, New Delhi, and Dr. P. Indira Devi, ICAR Emeritus Professor led the panel discussions on sustainable agricultural practices for urban resilience, addressing issues of food security, environmental impact reduction, and resource efficiency. Lead talks and competitions on papers and posters under the themes ‘Technology and Innovation in Urban Agriculture, Urban Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, Socio-Economic Impacts of Urban Agriculture, and Policy and Governance for Urban Agriculture were conducted. Competitions for Best Urban Farmers in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Quiz competitions for School students, and Cultural programmes were also organized in conjunction with the seminar.
About 150 registered participants including research scholars from various universities, teachers, academicians, and students attended the seminar. Dr. G. Baiju, Director, CTCRI Sreekaryam inaugurated the closing session. Dr. Roy Stephen, Dean of Faculty, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Dr. Shalini Pillai, Dr. Beena, Dr. Thomas George, Dr. Anith KN, and Dr. GS Sreedaya were present. Prizes for the winners of the competitions conducted were distributed during the closing ceremony. Smt. Lata J, Sri. Harikeshan Nair and Sri. Mathews Abraham bagged the first, second and third positions respectively in the terrace farming category. Smt. Rajalakshmi Ammal and Dr. Sreekala won the first and second place respectively for the homestead farming category.
