Ludhiana, August 9, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)
Agricultural Economists from the Department of Economics and Sociology at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) made a significant impact at the prestigious 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists (ICAE 2024), held from August 2nd to 7th in New Delhi.
The event, inaugurated by Honorable Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, marked a historic return to India after 66 years, with the last conference held in Mysore in 1958. Themed “Transformation Towards Sustainable Agri-Food Systems,” the conference gathered leading minds in Agricultural Economics from around the globe.
Dr. Vinita Kanwal, Assistant Professor of Economics at PAU, chaired a session on ‘Welfare and Wellbeing’ and presented her research paper titled “An Empirical Analysis of Marketing Channel Choices and their Impact on the Welfare of Paddy Growers in Punjab and Haryana.” Her insights garnered significant attention from international experts.
Dr. Shruti Chopra, Research Fellow in the Department of Economics and Sociology, also contributed to PAU’s strong presence with her research on “Empowerment of Women in Agriculture: A Catalyst for Transformation Towards Sustainable Agri-Food Systems in Rural India.” Co-authored with distinguished colleagues, including
Dr. Beatrice Muriithi (ICIPE, Nairobi), Dr. Poonam Kataria (PAU), Dr. Pratap Mohanty, and Dr. Shruti Shuvam (IIT Roorkee), her work resonated deeply with the conference’s focus and received widespread acclaim.
In addition to her presentation, Dr. Chopra was invited as a speaker for a “Fire Talk” session organized by African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), where she discussed the importance of mentorship in empowering women in agricultural economics.
Both Dr. Vinita Kanwal and Dr. Shruti Chopra were selected as mentees in the two-year AWARD-ICWAE Mentoring Program, which aims to equip women with core skills, networks, and resources to enhance their visibility and relevance in the profession.
Reshma Rajan, a former Master’s student from PAU, also shone at the conference, presenting her research paper on “Impact of Financial Instruments on Farm Performance in India,” which she completed under Dr. Kanwal’s guidance.
The PAU delegation left the conference motivated and inspired, bolstered by recognition and support from the global community of Agricultural Economists, including participants from 68 countries.
Dr. Vinita Kanwal and Dr. Shruti Chopra extended heartfelt gratitude to the AWARD-ICWAE Mentoring Program, supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAAE), for their invaluable support.
They also expressed sincere thanks to PAU’s leadership, including Vice-Chancellor Dr. SS Gosal, Director of Research Dr. Dhatt, Additional Director of Research Dr. Mangat, and Dr. J.M. Singh, Head of the Department of Economics and Sociology, for their continued support and encouragement through the Khush Foundation.
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