Advances in Agri-Food Systems: Volume II

This edited volume, titled "Advances in Agri-Food Systems", is the second volume in a set that comprises of contributed chapters from 22 leading experts in the fields of agriculture and allied sectors. These chapters are primarily based on invited lectures delivered by experts during the XVI Agricultural Science Congress, held in Kochi, India, from October 10-13, 2023.

The book provides an overview of recent advancements in the role of agriculture and food systems towards sustainability in the era of climate change. Topics include field crops, horticultural crops, the livestock sector, nutritional aspects, the application of the latest field-based technologies, and agriculture-related policies and institutions. Some of the key subjects covered are: Fast Track Breeding Approaches in Fruit Crops; Genome Editing in Legumes; Genome Editing in Vegetable Crops; Genome Edited Livestock; Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals; Integrated Farming Systems; and the Changing Pattern of Demand for Agri-processed Commodities, among others.

This book aims to exchange and share the latest research findings, ideas, and experiences on all aspects of agri-food systems to formulate pathways for transforming our agri-food system to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. It provides valuable insights and knowledge to a diverse audience, including scientists, academicians, students, entrepreneurs, farmers, policymakers, and others.

Dr. Himanshu Pathak graduated from IARI, New Delhi and has post-doctoral experience as Humboldt Fellow (Germany) & BOYSCAST Fellow (United Kingdom). He was visiting scientist at IRRI, Manila and CSIRO, Australia. He is currently serving as Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Govt. of India and Director General of Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Earlier he served as Director of ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Odisha and Director of ICAR-National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management, Maharashtra, India. He has over three decades of experience in the areas of agricultural research, education and extension. He is a fellow of Indian National Science Academy; National Academy of Science, India; National Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Humboldt Foundation and Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Awardee of Indian Council of Agricultural Research. He is a scientist of global repute working in the area of Abiotic stress, Climate change and Soil science.

Dr. W. S. Lakra graduated from University of Delhi and obtained Ph.D and D.Sc degree from HNB Garhwal University. He has post-doc trainings from CSIRO , Australia and Harvard University, USA. He has served as Director, National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow, and Director and Vice Chancellor of the Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai. He has several awards and honours to his credit, including Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Best Indian Fisheries Scientist Award, Vasvik Award, Hari Om Ashram Trust Award of ICAR. He is an elected Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India, and National Academy of Agricultural Sciences. His research areas include fisheries, aquaculture genetics, biotechnology and biodiversity. 

Dr. A. Gopalakrishnan graduated from Maharaja's College, Ernakulam and currently serving as the Director of ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Kochi since 2013. His career includes notable roles at the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR) and various leadership positions in fisheries organizations. Dr. Gopalakrishnan has received numerous awards, including the Asian Fisheries Society (AFS) Gold Medal Award in 2016 and the VASVIK Award in Agriculture Science & Technology in 2020. His extensive involvement in policy committees, editorial boards, and research areas such as Fish Conservation Genetics and Population Genomics reflects his significant contributions to the field.

Prof. K. C. Bansal graduated from IARI, New Delhi and has post-doctoral experience from Harvard University, USA. He is a Board Director at the Global Plant Council and former Director of the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR), New Delhi. He is an elected Fellow and Secretary of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and Fellow of the National Academy of Science, India. He is on the Board of Directors of the Global Plant Council, and Board of Trustees of MS Swaminathan Research Foundation. His research interests include, among others, molecular biology, plant genetic engineering, agricultural biotechnology, and gene editing for sustainable agriculture.