12thAgricultural Science Congress (ASC) - 2015 3-6th February 2015, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal February,02, 2015 Prof. Dr. A.K. Srivastava, Director and Vice-Chancellor, ICAR-NDRI, Karnal said that “National Academy of Agricultural Science (NAAS)”, New Delhi, in collaboration with National dairy research Institute and ICAR is organizing“12th Agricultural Science Congress - 2015” at NDRI, Karnal from 3-6February, 2015. Hon'ble Governor of Haryana, Prof. Kaptan Singh Solanki will be the Chief Guest of the Inaugural Function of Science Congress on Feb 3, 2015 (2.30 PM). The other dignitaries,who will grace the function includeDr. S. Ayyappan, Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR; and Dr. R.B. Singh, Ex. President NAAS.More than 70 renowned speakers from India and abroad (USA, Brazil, Poland, Kenya etc.) including Dr. Sanjaya Rajaram (World Food Prize Laureate and Former Director CYMMYT Global Wheat programme), Dr. RS Paroda (Chairman, Haryana Kisan Ayog and Ex Secretary DARE &DG, ICAR), Dr. Gurbachan Singh, Chairman, ASRB, Dr. Ashok Gulati, (Chair Professor of Agriculture, ICRIER) will deliver their talk of interest in 12 different sessions of the conference. He also informed that first time more than 1500 delegates including 350 students have already registered in this event of national importance. Besides, 500 progressive farmers from different parts of India are also participating. Around 75 companies are also participating in the ASC Expo – 2015, at sports ground. Dr. Srivastava further said that out of 137.8 million agricultural holdings in India, around 117.1 million belongs to the small and marginal farmers. Contribution of this vast farming community in fulfilling the economic, industrial, social and nutritional ambition of India deserves huge appreciation. He also said that the future of Agriculture is in the hands of small farmers. The theme of the 2015 Agriculture Science Congress has been specifically chosen as “Sustainable Livelihood Security for Small Holder Farmers”. We have invitedthe active participation of all researchers, policy makers, farmers, entrepreneurs and students in the congress, as a platform for exchanging ideas, having intense brainstorming and sharing experiences, that would aid in formulating suitable policies for remunerative and sustainable growth of the Agriculture sector in India specially for the “Small Holder Farmers”. Dr. P.L. Gautam, Vice President, NAAS said that the Congress will provide a very vibrant platform for discussing and exchanging views on contemporary topics in Indian Agriculture like the Crop and Vegetable Production, Animal Production Systems (both large & small animals and poultry), Fisheries Science Technologies and related Social Science issues. Besides, scientific discussions the Congress will also make available a befitting opportunity for the entrepreneurs, manufacturers of seed, fertilizers, agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, farm, laboratory & dairy equipment’s, insurance companies and agriculture credit providers to use the opportunity for showcasing their products and meeting prospective clientele groups. Directors of different ICAR institute(s), Karnal, Joint Directors, Organizing Secretaries of Conference and other dignitaries were present during the press-meet.