Three-Day National Conference Concludes: “Three M” Crop System Key to Farmer Prosperity

Udaipur,  The three-day national conference on sustainable plant protection concluded at the New Auditorium, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, focusing on advanced strategies for enhancing crop yield and farmer income. Dr. R. G. Agrawal, social entrepreneur and Chairman of leading agrochemical company Dhanuka Agritech, highlighted that adopting the “Three M” crop system—Maize, Mustard, and Moong— can significantly boost farmers’ economic well-being. This system allows cultivating three crops consecutively on the same land, offering advantages like crop diversification, efficient land use, higher income, enhanced nutritional security, and sustainable farming compared to traditional single-crop methods.

Addressing the closing ceremony as the chief guest, Dr. Agrawal stated, “While Indian farmers earn less per hectare compared to their Chinese counterparts, adopting modern practices and efficient crop systems can dramatically increase their income by 2047, fulfilling the vision of a developed India.” He emphasized that farmers need practical solutions for pest management rather than theoretical knowledge, highlighting the role of applied agricultural science.

Dr. Agrawal also showcased Dhanuka Agritech’s awareness campaign “Jago Kisan Jago”, aimed at educating 14 crore Indian farmers about quality seeds, seed treatment, and plant protection measures, addressing challenges such as substandard inputs and infrastructural gaps in rural areas.

The conference was organized jointly by Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture & Technology (MPUAT), Entomological Research Association, and Crop Care Federation of India, New Delhi, with over 400 participants from 18 states, including agricultural scientists, researchers, and industry representatives. The event was presided over by Dr. Ajit Kumar Karnataka, Vice-Chancellor of MPUAT, who noted that discussions on modern plant protection technologies under sustainable agriculture would help tackle emerging challenges and global demands while ensuring crop security and agricultural stability. He assured that the key findings and recommendations of the conference would be shared with 74 agricultural universities, policymakers, and farmers nationwide.

Conference Highlights:

Seven technical sessions covered topics such as bio-systems, emerging pests, climate change impacts, integrated pest management, pest ecology, and advances in biotechnology.

A total of 93 research papers, keynote addresses, special papers, posters, and oral presentations were delivered over three days.

Prominent speakers included Dr. Sai Das (Mezman), Dr. S. C. Bhardwaj, Dr. P. K. Chakravarti, Dr. K. L. Gurjar, and Dr. Umashankar Sharma, who also participated in open discussions.

Awards and Recognition:
Dr. Hemant Swami, organizing secretary, announced awards for excellence in plant protection, including:

Best Entomologist of the Year: Dr. Shravan M. Haldhar

Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. S. K. Saxena

Young Researcher Award: Dr. Srinivasan

Best Ph.D. Thesis Award: Dr. Birendra Singh

Young Scientist Award: Dr. Sachin Mahadev Chavan

Best Scientist of the Year: Dr. K. Vanita

Young Woman Scientist Award: Dr. Twinkle

Best Plant Pathologist of the Year: Dr. Suresh Kumar

A total of 76 awards were distributed during the ceremony, with Dr. Narayan Lal Dangi delivering the vote of thanks.

The conference concluded successfully, reinforcing the importance of sustainable crop management, modern plant protection techniques, and farmer-centric solutions in India’s agricultural development.