A SEEG National Seminar on “Synergetic Extension Approaches for livelihood Improvement and Agricultural Development” was jointly organized by the society of Extension Education, Gujarat (SEEG) and Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU), Junagadh during June 24-25 on offline mode (physical). The seminar was inaugurated by Dr. Narendra Kumar Gontia, hon’ble Vice Chancellor of JAU, Junagadh in the presence of Dr. KB Kathiria, Hon’ble VC of AAU, Anand, Dr ZP Patel, Hon’ble VC of NAU, Navsari, Dr CS Praharaj, Director, ICAR-DGR, Junagadh, Dr. Arun Patel, President of SEEG, Anand and Dr NB Jadav, Secretary of SEEG, Anand. In his inaugural address, Dr Narendra Kumar Gontia emphasized on all-round efforts by all concerned enabling the country a 5 trillion dollar economy and a global economic powerhouse by 2025 as envisioned by our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He reiterated in making the country food and nutritionally secure for the time to come.

In his address, Guest of Honour Dr CS Praharaj, Director, ICAR-DGR stressed on ensuring our Agriculture-GDP growth to its targeted growth of at least 4 percent per annum. It is this agri-extension which should ensure that innovations in the labs are translated and implemented on the lands of peasants. To precisely to fill this gap, there is a need to study the role of extension, evaluating various models that India adopted over time, testing its effectiveness through econometric analysis, and also looking at best practices (both in India and abroad) to ensure that Indian agriculture gets the best possible advice to put it on a sustainable and higher growth trajectory. Thus, from a focus on increasing yields via technology transfers and adoption, the extension systems now have to embrace a more decentralized, participatory, and a demand-driven approach. He also made some suggestions which emphasizes on Diversifying agriculture research and education and extension portfolio, at the margin, away from crops and more towards animal husbandry and dairy (high value agriculture). And thus, there is a need for designing and implementing innovation networks through digital platforms to permit free two-way flow of ideas and technologies. Now with 5G networks, things could go a quick and smart way to realize this. But above all, India needs to raise the bottom line of public expenditure on agri-research & education, including extension and training, to at least 1 percent of agri-GDP. In addition, science of discovery should match/be compatible with science of delivery as INDIA is emerging as the New Global Leader.

Guest of Honours, Dr. KB Kathiria, hon’ble VC, AAU Anand and Dr ZP Patel, Honble VC NAU Navsari also addressed on the occasion. Earlier Dr HM Gajipara, DEE, JAU welcomed the delegates. The inaugural function was also accompanied with release of publications, felicitation to Guest of  Honours and  Donors; and distribution of awards on various categories. The inaugural function was concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr NB Jadav, SEEG Organizing Secretary 2022.