Kongunadu Arts and Science College’s Departments of Botany and Biotechnology joined to host a Seven-Day International Conference on ‘Revisiting Indian Traditional Agriculture – A contemplation’ in virtual mode.
Vice-chancellor of Bharathiar University Professor P. Kaliraj and R. Srinivasan, Member Secretary of Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology (TNSCST), Chennai inaugurated the conference.
C.A. Vasuki, Secretary and Director, Kongunadu Arts and Science College (Autonomous) Coimbatore, delivered the Presidential Address.
Avenue and Opportunities in Floriculture and Landscaping:
S. Sindhu, Head Division of Floriculture and Landscaping, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR) PUSA campus New Delhi enlightened the new techniques and plant varieties that have been introduced in the field of floriculture and recent trends in Landscape gardening with low maintenance cost and eco-friendly design.
He also listed the top ranking cultivars of various cut flower varieties. He also stressed air purifier plants for the maintenance of an eco-friendly environment.
Opportunities in Floriculture:
K. Valliappan, Technical Director, Alagu’s Flower Valley, Coimbatore highlighted that Indian floriculture was concentrated mainly on traditional flowers for social and religious purposes. He revealed about the top four Traditional flowers as Jasmine, Marigold/Tagetes, Chrysanthemum and Tuberose single type (traditional flower) and double type (cut flower) and also recount the milestones of cut flowers since the 1980s.
He also narrated the current scenario of the floriculture industry and its demand which can explore entrepreneurial skills for the budding students and research scholars. 116 participants took part in the program. A separate session for entrepreneurship options and a panel discussion by young entrepreneurs and scientists is scheduled in the subsequent days. A series of oral and poster presentations are also scheduled. On the final day of the conference, a virtual farm visit has been planned which will be a cherry on top of this conference.