Proceedings of National Consultation on Weed Utilization

20-21 October 2009, Jabalpur

Weeds not only adversely affect the plant productivity but many of them also cause health hazards in human-beings and animals. They also affect seriously the biodiversity. Apart from this, they may have numeral beneficial properties in one way or the other and have immense potential as food and fodder, medicinal, aromatic, phyto-remediation, industrial, soil and water conservation resources etc. A very little information is available on the use of these plants for such useful purposes. To explore this and to further trap the information on this aspect, a “National Consultation on Weed Utilization” was convened at Directorate of Weed Science Research, Jabalpur during 20-21 October 2009. The purpose of this National Consultation was to provide a platform to all weed scientists engaged in different aspects of research on weed utilization at various institutes and universities.

Efforts are being made to invite some eminent scientists to deliver lead papers for in-depth discussion

The theme of the Consultation was “Utilization of weed plants for useful purposes" .Under the main theme, there were following sub-themes on which deliberations were made:

• Utilization of Weed Plants for Soil and Water Conservation
• Utilization of Weed Plants for Alternative Livelihood Opportunities
• Utilization of Weed Plants for Industrial Uses
• Utilization of Weed Plants for Strengthening Research

The programme was ceremonially opened at Directorate of Weed Science Research, Jabalpur on 20 October 2009. Dr A K Singh, Deputy Director General (NRM), ICAR, New Delhi was the chief guest who inaugurated the National Consultation. Dr Jay G Varshney, Director, DWSR welcomed the chief guest and delegates from almost all the states of India. Dr Varsheny apprised of the huge losses caused by weeds alone, if not managed properly and emphasized the need to utilize abundantly available weed biomass for some useful purposes.

Dr A K Singh, informed the gathering about many household and medicinal use of plants available abundantly in and around the society, called weeds. He cited many such examples which are used as food and fodder for human and livestock consumption and are being used for daily needs by the rural people in one or the other way. D. Singh congratulated D. Varsheny for organizing this National Consultation to explore the possibilities of using weeds for some beneficial purposes. He hoped that the two days deliberations will bring out some useful recommendations. At the occasion, Dr Singh also released many extension folders published from DWSR.

Dr Sushilkumar, Organizing Secretary of the National Consultation proposed the vote of thanks.

Technical Sessions

• There were four technical sessions covering various themes, besides the Plenary Session.
• About 50 delegates from all over India attended this National Consultation
• A total of about 16 invited and 20 contributory presentations were made.

Plenary Session: The two-day National Consultation after successful deliberations concluded with the Plenary Session on 21 st October, 2009 which was chaired by Dr Gautam Kallu, Vice- Chancellor, JNKVV, Jabalpur, and co-chaired by Dr Jay G Varsheny, Director, DWSR, Jabalpur. The Chairman invited to make presentations of the recommendations from Chairmen/ Co-chairmen/ Rapporteurs of various sessions. The Rapporteures of presented the detailed report of the sessions and gave their recommendations. Comments from participants were also invited. After detailed discussions following recommendations emerged:

Recommendations of National Consultation on Weed Utilization

(Source : Directorate of Weed Science Research)