The year 2021 was highly challenging, as whole world was challenged to save the life of people and contain the economic losses. The pandemic made us to think differently for our food, life style and working environment. Work from home, digital dialogues and conferences become new normal. In this scenario the ASM Foundation also organised many webinars but the physical conference, which was to be organised in the month of May, 2020 was postponed and organized during 16-19 September, 2021 at PJTSAU, Hyderabad with grace of God, things are becoming normal, thus we are having this conference in physical form.
Devotion to humanity and beneficence is patriotism, thus Lt. Amit Singh Memorial Foundation (ASM Foundation) is charged with the responsibility of spreading patriotism among the youth, through education, health care, economic development and inculcation of ethics and values. Accordingly, the focus of ASM Foundation has been on developmental activities which address children education, self-reliance of youth, confidence building and health care for people and technology-led development of agriculture/horticulture for the benefit of the farmers. The ASM Foundation is working for fulfilling its objectives and mandate. I am happy that the Foundation is in totality implementing the proposed programmes, and bringing out overall development of the marginalized people, in all aspects, at the same time taking them towards self- sufficiency.
Inspired by the past efforts, the ASM Foundation organised the 13th Swadesh Prem Jagriti Sangosthi- 2021 (SPJS-2021), and Global Conference on Innovative Approaches for Enhancing Water Productivity in Agriculture including Horticulture, at PJTSAU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, from 16-19th September, 2021. In view of critical conditions due to Covid-19 pandemic in the preceeding year the conference was organised using digital communication, postponing the Physical conference. The Sangosthi platform was shared by diverse group of stakeholders, such as farmers, extension workers, scientists, entrepreneurs, industrialists, policy makers and planners, which facilitated an effective interaction. The participation of diverse group of people was the uniqueness of the Sangosthi, which benefitted large number of people including youth and farmers.
The 12th SPJS organised as Webinar, had participation of more than 1000 delegates globally. Post Pandemic (COVID-19) Challenges and Options in Agriculture including Horticulture was the theme which aimed to analyse the global impacts of COVID-19 on society and economy and develop strategies to turn this adversity into opportunity. Main recommendation emerged that changing paradigm will demand technological changes, upfront policy and technology led value chain management. In the current year, Foundation is organizing a National conference on Climate Resilient and Sustainable Development of Horticulture at CSAUA&T, Kanpur.
The activities during the year 2021 also included, distribution of seeds, school bags to school children, demonstration of new technologies to farmers and confidence building in youth. The Foundation organized a camp for distribution of food, sentiser and mask to poor in the year of Covid-19 Pandemic In the honour of Lt. Amit Singh, “Shaheed Diwas” was observed on 3rd September 2021. One day Webinar was organized to discuss about fruit production and utilization. Know-how empowerment of farmers was done through sharing the knowledge by the experts. Apart from the above, the ASM Foundation office at Mahamada executed several activities for the benefit of children by providing them education, vocational support, and celebrating the Independence Day and Republic Day. This office is involved in several activities to improve livelihood and socio-economic conditions of the rural people. Notable among them are dissemination of improved agricultural technology and distribution of seeds. The Foundation also distributed blanket for the poor people in many villages. We are grateful to Dr. Praveen Rao, Vice-Chancellor, PJTSAUfor hosting the Global conference at Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. I am also thankful to Dr. D.R. Singh, honourable Vice Chancellor, CSAUA&T, Kanpur for hosting this important National Conference.
ASM foundation has also instituted many awards in various categories viz., Amit Krishi Rishi Award, Amit Padma Jagriti Award, Amit Prabudh Manishi Award, Amit Swah Award, to confer on the achievers, who have made outstandin contribution to Indian Agriculture and have dedicated their service to Nation. Amit Udyan Ratan Award, Lt. Amit Singh Memorial Award for best Coordinating Centre of AICRP and National Elocution/Essay Competition for school students have now become a regular phenomenon. I wish to congratulate all the recipients of the awards. Award of 2020 will be given with the Award of 2021. The Foundation is also a receipient of Institutional Excellence Award-2017 in recognition of outstanding contribution to Rural India through involvement of youth in Agricultural transformation, by AIASA, New Delhi. The CNRI also recognized the services of Foundation by conferring Award in 2019. During the year, 2019, foundation stone for the construction of Amit Gyan Sambhardan Kendra and also office cum training centre was layed at Mahamada, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar. The training centre is complete and it was inaugurated on 21st April, 2019 and has become functional. The Foundation has now established Amit Memorial Rural Institute for Transformation (Amrit). At this centre, office, training hall and arrangements for stay have been created.
I take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all the staff, volunteers and well-wishers of the Foundation, who are incessantly working hard for achieving the objectives of the Foundation. I also congratulate all farmers/students/delegates/guests who have contributed significantly during the last SPJS- 2021, and owe the entire credit for our successful journey into 2022 and for helping in preparation for NationalConference on Climate Resilient and Sustainable Development of Horticulture. I also express our gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. D.R. Singh, CSAUA&T, Kanpur, Uttar Pradeshfor hosting this National Conference.
I have a great pleasure in presenting you this Sodh Chintan-Vol.I4 (ISBN:ISBN 978-81-932266-9-8) which contain article from experts in the field of horticulture. The Sodh Chintan, Vol.14, has articles on all the facets of water productivity, which may enrich the knowledge. I am sure, you will find this book useful as a reference book. I also compliment Dr. H.P. Singh, Founder and Chairman, CHAI and his team for the excellent work in compiling and editing this important book. I also thank the contributors of the articles who have taken time for providing valuable information in their article. I also thank all those, who have directly or indirectly helped in bringing out this book.
G.Trivedi,
Chairman, ASM Foundation