As part of its NIScPR-SVASTIK Lecture series under the SVASTIK (Scientifically Validated Societal Traditional Knowledge) initiative, the CSIR-NIScPR, New Delhi, hosted an online lecture on “Feeding the 10 Billion by 2050: A Genomics Perspective” on 18 October 2023, in commemoration of World Food Day 2023.

Dr Suman Ray, Principal Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, introduced the Keynote Speaker, Dr Manoj Prasad, Professor and JC Bose National fellow at the National Institute of Plant Genome Research, New Delhi. Shri RS Jayasomu, Chief Scientist at CSIR-NIScPR, welcomed the participants and delivered his introductory remarks for the event.

In his keynote address, Dr Manoj Prasad highlighted the potential of millets to address the global food demand. Dr Prasad's lecture was intellectually stimulating, focusing on the traditional and cultural importance of millets, their exceptional health benefits and agronomic characteristics, the nutraceutical advantages they offer compared to other cereals, and the latest biotechnological approaches being used to improve these wonder crops.

Dr Paramananda Barman, a scientist at CSIR-NIScPR, conducted the question-and-answer session following the keynote speech. A brief video showcasing the SVASTIK initiatives on millets in collaboration with MyGov was also presented during the event.

Dr Charu Lata, Principal Scientist and PI-SVASTIK, CSIR-NIScPR, proposed the vote of thanks and expressed gratitude to the speaker and audience.