International  Seminar at College of Agriculture, Vellayani

Thiruvananthapuram:The two days International Seminar on Climate–Weed Interactions: Strategies for Sustainable Agriculture (CWIS 2025) concluded at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, bringing together 233 participants from India and abroad. The seminar was inaugurated by Prof. B. S. Chauhan, eminent weed scientist from the University of Queensland, Australia, emphasising that India incurs nearly USD 11 billion in annual crop losses due to weeds—an impact worsened by climate change. Dr. Jacob John, Dean of Kerala Agricultural University, delivered the Presidential Address underscoring the urgency of climate-driven weed management. The welcome address was delivered by Dr. P. Shalini Pillai, Convener of CWIS 2025, followed by a special address from Shri. Nagesh Kumar Anumala, Chief General Manager of NABARD, highlighting the importance of linking scientific innovations with field-level solutions. The inaugural session also featured the release of seminar proceedings, the launch of the KAU Weeds Mobile App, and the release of the Agroclimatic Analysis Report of Vellayani (1983–2024).

Across two days, the seminar hosted technical sessions, oral presentations, and poster exhibitions focusing on AI-driven weed detection, UAV-based precision herbicide application, IoT-enabled nutrient management, invasive weed dynamics, and climate-resilient Integrated Weed Management strategies. A technical session on the second day further strengthened deliberations on emerging climate-smart approaches to weed control. Dr. Suja G., Principal Scientist, Central Tuber Crops Research Centre, delivered the keynote address on the topic 'Survival through Organic Farming'.

At the closing ceremony presided over by Dr. Shalini Pillai P., Head of the Regional Research Centre and Seminar Convener, Uttarakhand Shri Guru Ram Rai University Vice Chancellor Dr. K. Prathapan presented the awards to the essay winners. Seminar Organizing Secretary Dr. Sheeja K. Raj presented the report. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi Principal Scientist Dr. T.K. Das, Emeritus Scientist, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Dr. C. R. Chinnamuthu, Head of Research, Agricultural University Dr. K. N. Anith, Professor (Crop Physiology) Dr. Roy Stephen, Seminar Joint Conveners Dr. Ameena M., and Dr. Susha V.S. delivered speeches in the valedictory function.