Srinagar, Feb 29 : The Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) of Kashmir is hosting a mega 3-day Agri-Med Science Congress, bringing together medical and agricultural experts for the first time in the region.
The event according to the SKUAST- K officials aims to address the pressing health concerns stemming from environmental and climatic changes, particularly focusing on the impact of deteriorating water and soil quality on food safety.
Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K, Professor Nazir Ahmad Ganie while speaking to the news agency— highlighted the significance of the event, noting that SKUAST-K is pioneering efforts in this domain by establishing the first ‘School of One Health Programme’ in India.
“The university has secured a substantial project worth approximately 25 crore from the Government of India for this initiative, with collaborative partnerships including IIT Kanpur, IMTech Chandigarh, and SKIMS”, he said.
VC SKUAST-K said that additionally, a project focusing on Avian Influenza, valued at around 1.5 crore, underscores the institution’s commitment to novel approaches in improving public health.
“The conference aims to gather insights from over 150 medical experts from prestigious institutions such as AIIMS, Max Hospital, SKIMS, and GMC Srinagar, with a total participation of over 700 attendees”, he stated.
Speaking about the Agri-Med conference, VC SKUAST- K said that for the first time in Kashmir, they are bringing agricultural and medical experts on a single platform to address the health concerns arising due to the environmental and climatic changes, stating that the water, soil is getting deteriorated resulting in the mixing of toxic residues in the food we consume, subsequently getting mixed up in our food chain.
“The mix of toxic residues in our food chain makes high chances diseases. There is an increase in cancers and somewhere there is a connection of these diseases with the food quality and the quantity. It is important to come on a single platform to address these issues,” he said.
Notably, the three-day Agri-Med congress, themed ‘Reshaping Bio economy towards One Health’, is a collaborative effort involving JKST&IC, the Department of Science and Technology, J&K Government, and JK Research Consortium.
According to a senior research scientist at SKUAST-K, the conference seeks to comprehensively address existing food production systems and healthcare facilities to chart a course for a sustainable agricultural sector and a resilient healthcare system.
Professor Muhammad Salim Khan, HOD Community Medicine GMC Srinagar, stressed the inter connectedness of agriculture and health, noting the detrimental effects of heavy pesticide and fertilizer use on both land fertility and human health.
Speaking to news agency, he advocated for a transition to organic farming guided by agricultural experts to mitigate these risks. Khan emphasized the importance of consumer awareness in making informed food choices, urging vigilance regarding food quality and nutritional content
