National Seminar on “Value Addition of Cotton Stalks and Other Agro-Wastes for Rural Livelihood”

NAGPUR: Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways & Shipping inaugurated the National Seminar on “Value Addition of Cotton Stalks and Other Agro-Wastes for Rural Livelihood” here on Saturday.

Gadkari, while delivering inaugural address as Chief Guest, advised farmers to grow crops after studying economic viability, instead of blindly sticking to traditional crops. Minister stressed upon utilizing technology, innovative thinking and fostering the spirit of entrepreneurship among the rural youth. Minister urged to use cotton stalk and other agro wastes for making pellets and briquettes as an alternative to coal, firewood, cooking gas and for conversion into ethanol as an alternative to fossil fuel.

Minister felicitated several farmers and entrepreneurs who make good use of agro waste.

Dr. C. D. Mayee, President, ISCI, while delivering the speech as Guest of Honour, expressed the need to amend the curriculum of agriculture universities from primary agriculture to secondary agriculture. He said that advancement in agricultural technology is needed to convert waste into wealth.

Earlier, Dr. P. G. Patil, Director, ICAR-CIRCOT delivered the welcome address and emphasized upon the need to promote entrepreneurship in the field of agro waste management.

Dr. A.J. Shaikh, Secretary, ISCI, Mumbai; Mr. G.H. Wairale, President, Agro-plus Foundation, Nagpur; and Dr. S. K. Shukla, Officer In-charge, GTC, Nagpur shared their views on the subject.

Books and Leaflets published by ICAR-CIRCOT, Mumbai and ICAR-NBSS&LUP, Nagpur were released on the occasion.

The National Seminar was organised by GTC of ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology, Mumbai in collaboration with Indian Society for Cotton Improvement (ISCI) and Agro-Plus Foundation.

More than 350 delegates including farmers, raw material suppliers and industry personnel participated in the seminar.