National Summit 2026 on “Advancing Sustainable Agriculture through Plant Biotechnology: A Roadmap for the Future” Concludes Successfully at DBT-NECAB, AAU, Jorhat
Date: 03-10-26
Event Details:
The DBT-North East Centre for Agricultural Biotechnology (DBT-NECAB), AAU, Jorhat, successfully organized a four-day National Summit on “Advancing Sustainable Agriculture through Plant Biotechnology: A Roadmap for the Future” from September 28 to October 1, 2026, commemorating the second anniversary of the BioE3 Policy.
Hosted at DBT-NECAB, AAU, Jorhat, the summit brought together eminent scientists, policymakers, academicians, administrators, biotechnology experts, researchers and students to deliberate on the future of plant biotechnology and its role in sustainable agriculture.
The summit was organized under the leadership of Dr. Bidyut Kumar Sarmah, Director, DBT-NECAB and Professor & Head, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, AAU. His leadership provided an important platform for scientific dialogue, knowledge exchange and meaningful interaction among biotechnology researchers, policymakers, academicians and students.
Day 1 | September 28 - Inaugural Session
The summit commenced with an inaugural session at the MC Das Memorial Auditorium, AAU.
Dr. Bidyut Kumar Sarmah delivered the welcome address, setting the context for the four-day programme and highlighting the importance of plant biotechnology in addressing emerging challenges in agriculture, food security and sustainable agricultural development.
The inaugural session was graced by distinguished personalities including Shri Satinder Kumar Bhalla, Secretary, North Eastern Council; Dr. Kamal Malla Bujarbaruah, Former Vice Chancellor, AAU; Padma Shri Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh, Former Director and Vice Chancellor, IARI, New Delhi; Dr. Dipjyoti Rajkhowa, Vice Chancellor, AAU; Dr. Suraksha S. Diwan, Scientist 'F' and Associate Head, DBT-NER Division, DBT, New Delhi; and Dr. Purnima Sharma, CEO, Biotech Consortium India Limited (BCIL).
The presence of senior scientists, statutory officers of AAU and experts from leading national institutions underscored the significance of the summit as a national platform for discussion on plant biotechnology.
Day 2 | September 29 - Policy, Regulation and Bridging Research with Farmers
The second day featured two major panel discussions at the Vice Chancellor’s Conference Room, AAU.
The first panel discussion focused on “Policy, Regulation, and Public Acceptance of Plant Biotechnology”, chaired by Padma Shri Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh. The discussion brought together experts from DBT, ICAR, BIRAC, BCIL, AAU and leading academic institutions.
Dr. Bidyut Kumar Sarmah participated as a key panelist, contributing the perspective of DBT-NECAB, AAU to discussions surrounding biotechnology policy, regulation, biosafety and public acceptance.
The second panel, on “Bridging the Gap Between Biotechnology Research and Farmers,” focused on translating laboratory innovations into technologies that can reach farmers and contribute to agricultural development.
Experts including Dr. Nagendra Kumar Singh, Dr. Deepak Pental, Dr. Mohd. Aslam, Dr. Suraksha S. Diwan, Dr. Uma Shaanker, Dr. Vibha Ahuja, Dr. Sanjay Kumar Chetia and Dr. Bidyut Kumar Sarmah shared their perspectives on technology transfer, adoption, innovation and farmer-oriented agricultural biotechnology.
Day 3 | September 30 - Scientific Interaction, Innovation and Student Engagement
The third day focused on scientific interaction, research, innovation and student engagement, with activities hosted at DBT-NECAB, AAU.
A special meeting was held between Dr. Suraksha S. Diwan and the Principal Investigators of DBT-funded projects at DBT-NECAB, AAU, providing an opportunity to discuss ongoing research initiatives and scientific priorities.
This was followed by an Evaluation of Science Models and Poster Competition, where students and young researchers presented their scientific ideas and innovations before a distinguished panel of judges comprising experts from ICAR-NIPB, DBT, BIRAC, BCIL and leading agricultural institutions.
The day also featured a Science Lecture Session by Dr. Uma Shaanker, Professor, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru, providing participants with valuable scientific insights.
An important component of the day was the interactive engagement with students of the Integrated B.Tech-M.Tech, M.Sc. and Ph.D. programmes of the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, AAU. The interaction provided students with an opportunity to engage with leading experts, discuss research interests and learn about emerging opportunities in biotechnology.
The activities at DBT-NECAB highlighted the Centre’s commitment to scientific research, capacity building, student engagement and nurturing the next generation of biotechnology professionals.
Day 4 | October 1 - Expert-Student Interaction and Valedictory Session
The fourth and final day of the summit continued the emphasis on expert-student interaction and scientific engagement, followed by the valedictory programme at DBT-NECAB, AAU.
A special interactive session was conducted with the students of the Integrated B.Tech-M.Tech, M.Sc. and Ph.D. programmes of the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, AAU.
Dr. Nagendra Kumar Singh, Former National Professor and J. C. Bose Fellow at the ICAR-National Institute of Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi, and Dr. Uma Shaanker, Professor, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru; interacted with the students and shared valuable insights into the evolving landscape of biotechnology.
The experts discussed the future scope, research opportunities and career prospects in biotechnology, encouraged students to pursue innovative and impactful research, and motivated them to contribute to emerging areas of agricultural and plant biotechnology.
They also appreciated the enthusiasm and scientific interest of the students and acknowledged the research facilities, infrastructure and academic environment of DBT-NECAB and the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, AAU, along with the contributions of its faculty in promoting quality education and research.
The interaction provided students with an opportunity to directly engage with nationally recognized experts, seek guidance on research and career pathways, and gain a broader understanding of the expanding opportunities in biotechnology and its applications in agriculture and allied sectors.
The summit concluded with a valedictory session, which reflected on the major discussions and outcomes of the four-day programme. During the session, prizes were awarded to the winners of the Science Model and Poster Competition, recognizing the creativity, scientific understanding and innovative ideas presented by the participating students. The session also emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration among research institutions, policymakers, industry, farmers and academic communities to translate biotechnology innovations into sustainable agricultural solutions.
A Platform for Science, Collaboration and Sustainable Agriculture
The four-day National Summit served as a comprehensive platform for discussions on plant biotechnology, biosafety, policy and regulation, public acceptance, technology adoption, farmer connectivity, scientific research, innovation and capacity building.
For DBT-NECAB, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, the summit represented an important initiative towards strengthening biotechnology-driven agricultural research and creating opportunities for scientific collaboration, knowledge exchange and student development.
The active leadership and scientific stewardship of Dr. Bidyut Kumar Sarmah, Director, DBT-NECAB and Professor & Head, MBBT, AAU, was central to bringing together distinguished experts and creating a platform where scientific knowledge, policy perspectives, research and student engagement converged.
The summit also highlighted the growing role of DBT-NECAB, AAU, as a platform for advanced agricultural biotechnology research, scientific exchange, capacity building and development of skilled human resources in the North Eastern region.
From laboratory innovation to farmers’ fields, the four-day summit emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to advance biotechnology for a more sustainable, resilient and future-ready agricultural sector.
Organized by:
DBT-North East Centre for Agricultural Biotechnology (DBT-NECAB)
in collaboration with
Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (MBBT), Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Jorhat
September 28 - October 1, 2026
DBT-NECAB, AAU, Jorhat, Assam
