Integrated approach required to tackle climate change: Expert

Continuous efforts such as genetic improvements, integrated farming approach and use of balanced natural resources were required to tackle the effects of climate change on crop, animal and fish productivity, agriculture scientist C D Mayee said today.

The worst sufferer of climate change shall be crop, animal and fish productivity and one time adaptation response was not enough to mitigate the problem, Mayee, former Chairman of Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board, said.

Delivering his address at the 38th Convocation of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) here, he said continuous efforts like genetic improvements, agronomic manipulations, integrated farming approach, use of balanced natural resources and timely intervention can be helpful.
 

"We may have to adopt new breeding technologies such as genetic transformation, gene editing, GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) for quicker development of new cultivars that could adapt to changing climate," he said.

However, this might need public acceptance as the consumer was also dictating the terms of research in today's social order, Mayee said.

The other issue that needed attention was the suppression of scientific temper by selective onslaught on the certain technology generation, he said.

Agricultural biotechnology had a considerable potential to address many of the future challenges in agriculture, including post-harvest issues and value addition, he said.

Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd (TAFE) Chief Executive Officer Mallika Srinivasan was conferred Doctor of Science (honoris causa) for her contribution to global agriculture, machinery business and academia.

Mallika is the first woman from the country's tractor industry to be conferred the honour, which was presented by state Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao.

Degrees were presented to 988 candidates in person and 356 in absentia at the convocation, attended among others by TNAU Pro-Chancellor and state Agriculture Minister R Doraikannu.