29/10/2026
43rd ISMPP Annual National Convention held at KU
Minister for Agriculture Production, Finance, Mining and Cooperatives J&K Govt Shri Javid Ahmad Dar, addressed the 43rd Annual National Convention of the Indian Society of Mycology and Plant Pathology (ISMPP) as chief guest at the University of Kashmir (KU) on Thursday.
The convention is being held on the theme “Advances and Challenges in Plant Pathology under Climate-Resilient Agriculture.”
The three-day convention, from October 29 to 31, is jointly organised by the University’s Department of Botany and ISMPP, with Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur.
In his presidential address, Shri Javid A Dar said that several apple varieties once commonly grown in Kashmir, a decade or two ago, are no longer found in the Valley. He linked this change to evolving horticultural practices and stressed the need to identify and promote varieties and crops that are both economically viable and resilient to changing climatic conditions.
Vice-Chancellor KU Prof. Nilofer Khan who was guest of honour on the occasion said the theme was timely in view of climate change, emerging plant diseases, declining soil health, food security and environmental sustainability.
Dr. K. L. Gujar, Joint Director, ICAR, New Delhi, and Prof. S. S. Chahal, President, ISMPP and former Vice-Chancellor of PAU and MPUAT, also addressed the inaugural session. Dr. Pokhar Rawal, Secretary, ISMPP, spoke about the national convention. A souvenir was also released on the occassion.
Prof. Aijaz Ahmad Wani, Head, Dept.of Botany KU and Convener, delivered the welcome address whileas opening remarks were delivered by Prof. Mohd. Yaqub Bhat, Dept. of Botany KU and Organising Secretary of the event. Prof. Abdul Hamid Wani, Dept of Botany is the Co- convener of the event.
The inaugural proceedings were conducted by Prof. Anzar Ahmad Khuroo, Dept of Botany KU whileas vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Sajad-un Nabi, Co-organising Secretary.