Kanpur: The Kotak School of Sustainability at the Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur (IIT-K) organised a distinguished lecture under the Swastibhavatu Lecture Series, focusing on sustainable agriculture and food security. The lecture, titled ‘Feeding India while Protecting Nature: The Role of Agri-Policies and New Technologies,’ was delivered by Distinguished Professor at the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) Ashok Gulati.Prof Gulati highlighted India’s remarkable progress in achieving food security while cautioning against the growing stress on natural resources such as soil, water, air, and biodiversity. He emphasised the urgent need for a rational and sustainability-driven agricultural policy framework to balance productivity with ecological regeneration.
He underlined the critical role of technology-led solutions and agriculture tools such as sensors, smart cameras, drones, and targeted ‘see-and-spray’ systems for efficient and need-based use of inputs like water and pesticides. He stressed that institutions like IIT-K must play a central role in developing affordable, farmer-friendly technologies .“India’s future food security depends on synchronising 4 key pillars—policies, products, practices, and partnerships. IITs have a vital role in developing practical, affordable technologies that help farmers produce more with fewer resources, while protecting nature. Sustainability will come not from isolated efforts, but from coordinated action across the entire ecosystem,” said prof Ashok Gulati.The lecture witnessed active participation from faculty members, students, researchers, and stakeholders, fostering meaningful dialogue on aligning agricultural innovation with environmental sustainability.
