National Conference on ‘Climate-Smart Agriculture’ held at SBS State University
HARISH MONGA
Ferozepur, February 26, 2026: A one-day national conference on “Enhancing Sustainability through Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices in Punjab’s Rural Border Areas” was successfully organised at Shaheed Bhagat Singh State University. The conference was held under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Dr Suresh Kumar Sharma, in collaboration with the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, Chandigarh.
The conference focused on pressing agro-environmental challenges in Punjab’s rural border districts, particularly Ferozepur. Key issues discussed included climate variability, groundwater depletion, soil degradation, crop residue burning, and excessive use of agricultural chemicals. The event brought together eminent academicians, scientists, policymakers, researchers, and farmers from across the state.
Addressing the conference online, Er Pritpal Singh, Executive Director of the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, highlighted the national and global impacts of climate change and stressed the urgent need for coordinated scientific and policy-level interventions.
Dr Prabhjot Kaur Sidhu, Principal Scientist at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, delivered an expert lecture on “Climate Change in Punjab – Causes and Impacts,” presenting research findings on variations in crop productivity across different agro-climatic zones of the state.
Dr Surinder Singh Kukal, Head of the Centre for Environment and Climate Change at Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration, Chandigarh, spoke on strategies to address the impacts of climate change in Punjab, outlining actionable mitigation and adaptation measures at the state, community, and individual levels.
Prof Sandeep Kaur, Dean, School of Social Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, also addressed the gathering, emphasising the socio-economic dimensions of climate change and the importance of community participation in climate action.
Around 170 participants, including faculty members, researchers, scientists, students, and farmers from various districts of Punjab, actively took part in the conference. A poster presentation competition was also organised to encourage young researchers. Gagandeep Kaur (Research Scholar) won the first prize, while the second prize was awarded to Dr Parampreet Kaur along with the Civil Engineering Department team. The third prize was jointly won by Harmandeep Kaur (B.Voc Agriculture) and Kiranpreet Kaur.
The conference concluded with a formal vote of thanks proposed by the organising team comprising Dr Balpreet Kaur, Dr Rajeev Arora, Dr Pankaj Kalra, and Registrar Dr Gazalpreet Arneja. The event reaffirmed the university’s commitment to promoting sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices for the holistic development of Punjab’s rural border areas.