Jalandhar01.12.25-; The School of Agriculture at Lovely Professional University (LPU) hosted the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Agriculture for Food and Nutritional Security (SSAFNS 2025). Over two days, the conference brought together a network of experts, scholars, researchers, and industry professionals from India and across the world, each united by a shared mission: reimagining agriculture for a food-secure and climate-resilient future.

The senior delegation including, Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Founder Chancellor of LPU, Col. Dr. Rashmi Mittal, Pro-Chancellor of LPU, Dr. Jaspal Singh Sandhu, Vice-Chancellor of LPU and Dr. Loviraj Gupta, Vice Pro Chancellor of LPU, released the official Abstract Book of the conference. Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor also felicitated the dignitaries and eminent delegates.

Dr. Pardeep Kumar Chhuneja, General Chair of the Conference and Dean of the School of Agriculture shared that the conference witnessed remarkable academic engagement, drawing 250+ delegates, 100+ oral presentations, and 150+ poster presentations across diverse research tracks. The participants from eminent universities, national research institutes, global organizations, and leading agritech companies presented their work on climate-smart farming, plant and soil health, precision technologies, digital agronomy, and the next-generation systems that will define sustainable food production.

The conference featured an impressive lineup of national and international speakers who delivered deeply insightful, forward-looking sessions. Dr. Abhilash Chandel of Virginia Tech, USA, captivated the audience by presenting the blueprint of a fully integrated, data-driven agricultural ecosystem.

Dr. Nozomi Kawarazuka from CGIAR, Vietnam, spoke on gender and plant health, presenting strong global evidence highlighting women farmers’ often overlooked expertise in pest and disease management.

Dr. Gaurav Jha from Kansas State University, USA, offered an in-depth exploration of digital agronomy as a pathway to water resilience.

The presence of Dr. Ashok Kumar Devgan, Member of the Board of the Management of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), and the Former Dean and DEE at the PAU, as the Guest of Honour further added academic depth and institutional wisdom to the proceedings.