Organized by Soil Conservation Society of India New Delhi, INDIA

In Collaboration withIndian Association of Soil & Water ConservationistsDehradun, INDIA

First Circular

–10 13 February, 2015 New Delhi, INDIA |

Natural Resource Management for Food Security and Rural Livelihoods

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON

VenueNational Agricultural Science Centre ComplexDPS Marg, Opp. Todapur, New Delhi-110 012

Sponsored byIndian Council of Agricultural Research

New Delhi, INDIA

Collaborative Partners & Supporters

International Union of Soil SciencesInternational Association of Hydrological Sciences

World Association of Soil and Water Conservation

AGRICULTURE led economic progress is essential for inclusive and accelerated growth in the country as nearly 50% of our people are directly dependent on agriculture. Development in Agriculture during

last 50-60 years had brought unprecedented successes in enhancing agricultural production and alleviating hunger and poverty. Towards achieving the goals of livelihood security, it is important to conserve the natural resources and improve economic viability of farming. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that land degradation costs an estimated US$40 billion annually, worldwide. With food production turning un-economical, especially in the developing countries, investing in resource management is unthinkable at the farmer-level. Public investment is needed in a big way. The cost of cultivation is brought down by high subsidies for the farmers in the developed countries. Such incentives are, however, not available to the farmers in developing countries.

There is a strong need to increase agricultural production on sustainable basis as well as reduce the productivity gap between marginal and favoured areas. The challenge of attaining sustainable accelerated growth and comprehensive food security has been exacerbated by the global climate change and weather fluctuations. We have to develop comprehensive and effective adaption and mitigation measures to enhance resilience to climate change. A strong infrastructure has to be built which can deliver optimally under climate change and variability. Soil and Water Conservation and Irrigation are important aspects of land use and rural development. Participation of the stakeholders at various levels is absolutely necessary. But participation should not mean asking for free labour from the poor in developing countries. Large-scale public investment is essential in the field of Conservation and Sustainable Development of Natural Resources.

In an endeavour to increase agricultural production, there has been over exploitation of the natural resources resulting in the degradation of land and environmental resources. With increasing demand on land, mainly because of increase in population, life style changes, urbanization, industrialization and other non-farm uses of farm lands, diversion takes place not only from wastelands but also from agriculturally and ecologically significant areas such as forest, pasture lands and even cultivated lands.

Agricultural production is, further, constrained by the steadily deteriorating land base of agriculture, non-availability of irrigation, increase in the number of non-viable holdings, technology deficit, unresolved problems of rainfed areas, weak delivery system and lack of preparedness to face climate

change. The potential drawback of growth of agricultural production is an increase in the pollution of the terrestrial and aquatic environment by industrial effluents, chemical nutrients, pesticides and trace elements as it has occurred in the developed countries worldwide since 1950's.

Protection and improvement of land, water, biodiversity and climate resources is a pre-requisite for sustainable agriculture production. The social, economic, environmental and political impacts are

•

•

••

•••

••

••

•••

••••

Assessment, development and management of natural and human resources for livelihood and food security Rural livelihoods and trans-migration to urban areas, socio-economic implications; improving profitability of farming, livelihood avenues in resource managementLand use planning for emerging land use conditionsIntegrated management of water and land resources to prevent land degradation and salinity related desertificationRainwater harvesting, flood management and drought managementConservation agriculture systems for drylands, rainfed and irrigated areasDiversification and intensification of cropping systems for environmental sustainability and food securityBio-fertilisers and bio-pesticides for sustaining soil health and productivity Conservation management of mountainous areas, plateaus, plains, deserts, streams and torrents, roadsides and railways and wet landsManagement of saline, alkali and contaminated soils and management of mine spoil s and waste LandsConservation, development and management of community grasslands, rangelands and alpine and sub-alpine pasturesConservation forestry, agroforestry, social forestry and forest management Socio-economic implications; improving profitability of farmingClimate change mitigation and adaptation strategies including carbon sequestration in soils for different land use systems.Biodiversity conservation and coastal ecosystem managementIntegrated watershed management, resource protection and production systems Bioindustrial watershed management and community participationRemote sensing and GIS in natural resource management

significant to achieve sustained agricultural growth. Natural resources are critically important components of life support system, the efficient conservation and management of which are vital for economic growth and rural development. The degradation of our natural resources, soil and water has become a matter of serious concern for the farmers, researchers, academicians, scientists and policy makers, as these in turn affect issues like upliftment of rural people, food security and livelihood.

It is in this context, it is proposed to hold an International Conference from 10-13 February, 2015 in New Delhi, India, to address the issues and challenges ahead during the 21st century. The focus of the Conference will be to protect, conserve and develop the natural resources and use them sustainably basis to alleviate hunger, enhance livelihood security and improve the quality of life. The target groups for the international conference are farmers, farm organizations, students, academicians, scientists, extension workers, policy makers and other stakeholders from the field of natural resource management.

NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FOR FOOD SECURITY AND RURAL LIVELIHOODS

CONFERENCE THEME

••

•

Understanding farmers' problems in improving and sustaining agricultural productivity and ways and means to solve themImportance of farmers' participation in mitigating the inhibiting factors in crop production

Abstracts are invited on any of the above theme areas or other related areas. The abstracts should not exceed 500 words, should be typed in double space leaving 2.5 cm margin on all sides on A-4 paper. Three to five keywords should be given below the abstract in italics. The font should be Times New Roman in 12 pt. size. The abstract should be sent through email (icscsi2015@gmail.com) in MS word format.[A Committee will review the abstracts and decide about the nature of presentation (oral/poster). Author(s) will be intimated regarding the acceptance of papers].Poster presentation: Each author will be provided with space of 1 m x 1 m to display the posters. Posters' size should be such which can be conveniently read from a distance of 2m.

Awards will be given for the best poster presentation.

Last date of Abstract submission 30th June, 2014

Intimation of acceptance of abstracts 1st August, 2014

Submission of full length papers 1st November, 2014

Last date for Registration (without late fees) 15th January, 2015

India

Delegates (Members of SCSI and IASWC) R 8,000/- (INR)

Delegates (Non-members) R 10,000/- (INR)

Delegates (Students) IRA/SRF R 2000/- (INR)

SAARC and Other Countries

Delegates $ 300 (USD)

Student delegates $ 100 (USD)

Registration fees include the Conference kit, access to Conference sessions, daily Conference lunches and specified dinners. The students are required to produce a valid identity card/ certificate for availing the student discount.

Policy framework for capacity building with a view of mitigating the emerging problems in NRM

Call for Papers: Submission of Papers and Abstracts

Important Dates

Registration Fees

Scientific Advisory Committee

Chairman Prof. M.S. Swaminathan

Co-Chairmen Dr. S. AyyappanProf. J.S. Bali

Members

Dr. A.K. Sikka Dr. J.S. Sandhu

Dr. R.B. Singh Dr. Gorakh Singh

Dr. Gurbachan Singh Dr. S.V. Ngachan

Dr. J.S. Samra Dr. U.S. Singh

Dr. I.P. Abrol Dr. M.S. Aulakh

Dr. A.K. Singh Dr. C.R. Hazra

Dr. S.M. Virmani Dr. Sanjay Arora

Dr. V.N. Sharda Sh. K.C. Momin

Dr. H.S. Gupta Dr. C.J. Thampi

Dr. B. Venkataswarlu Dr. K.K. Satapathy

Dr. P.K. Mishra Sh. H.S. Lohan

Member Secretary Dr. Suraj Bhan

International Advisory CommitteeDr. Miodrag Zlatic, SerbiaDr. Machito Mihara, JapanProf.(Dr.) Samir A. El-Swaify, HonoluluProf. M.A. Fullen, UKDr. Ted Napier, USADr. Gordon Young, CanadaProf. R. Lal, USADr. Yash P. Kalra, CanadaDr. James O. Owino, KenyaDr. Manuel Paulet Iturri, PeruProf.(Dr.) Carmelo Dazzi, ItalyDr. Satish C. Gupta, USADr. Shabbir A. Shahid, UAEDr. Victor B. Asio, PhillipinesDr. S.H.R. Sadeghi, Iran Prof.(Dr.) Pham Quang Ha, VietnamDr. Samran Sombatpanit, ThailandDr. Beata Houskova, Italy Dr. O. Beatrice, South AfricaDr. KMA Kendaragama, SrilankaDr. Selen Deviren, TurkeyProf. V.P. Singh, USADr. Shingro Katsu, Washington

Venue

Weather

Accommodation

The Conference is being held in New Delhi at the National Agricultural Science Centre (NASC) complex.

The weather of New Delhi in February is mildly cool and pleasant. The mean maximum and minimum temperatures are 22°C and 12°C, respectively.

The Conference venue is located at the heart of the National Capital. A wide range of hotels are available within a short distance from the Conference venue. First-time visitors to India may find it more convenient to stay at the hotels which are within reasonable distance from the Conference venue. The tariff varies from . 3000 to . 18000 (US$ 50 to US$ 300) per room.

About the ICAR

About NASC Complex

About the Host City

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research is an autonomous organization under the department of agricultural research and education, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India. The Council is the apex body for coordinating, guiding and managing research and education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the country. With over 99 ICAR institutes and 65 agricultural universities spread across the country, this is one of the largest national agricultural systems in the world. (www.icar.org.in)

The National Agricultural Science Centre (NASC) Complex is ranked one of the best office complex in Delhi city having world class facilities for seminars workshops, meeting and trainings. The complex is also having a Guest House for boarding and lodging of international standards.

New Delhi, the capital of India, is a cosmopolitan city that abounds historical relics and remains. Major tourist attractions of Delhi are Red Fort, India Gate, Raj Ghat, Jantar Mantar, Jama Masjid, Qutab Minar, Lotus Temple, Chandni Chowk, Connaught Place, Lodhi Garden and many more. (www.delhitourism.gov.in)

Dr. Suraj BhanPresidentSoil Conservation Society of IndiaG-4/A, National Societies BlockNational Agricultural Science Centre (NASC) Complex, DPS Marg (Pusa) New Delhi – 110 012 Phone / Fax: +91-11-25848244 (M): +91-9868808980Email: icscsi2015@gmail.com

ADDRESSES FOR CORRESPONDENCE

Shri Jagatveer SinghSecretary GeneralSoil Conservation Society of IndiaG-4/A, National Societies BlockNational Agricultural Science Centre (NASC) Complex DPS Marg (Pusa) New Delhi – 110 012Phone: +91-11-25848244 (M): +91-9868822627Email: jagat53@yahoo.co.in