HE. Dr. P. Chandra Shekara, Director General, CIRDAP, addressed as Chief Guest at the inauguration of the International Workshop on “Empowering Early Career Researchers in Advancing Climate-Resilient Agriculture Research and Collaboration” held in Karnataka, India.

The workshop was organized by Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, in collaboration with the Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, UK, with support from the British Council.

In his address, he encouraged early career researchers to focus on solutions that are practical, inclusive, and grounded in local realities. He emphasized learning from existing knowledge, working closely with farmers, cooperatives, FPOs, and extension systems, and ensuring that research moves beyond publications to real climate action.

Dr. Shekara highlighted the importance of holistic climate-resilient agriculture packages, post-harvest management, affordable digital solutions, farmer-to-farmer extension, and branding of climate-smart products to turn resilience into income. He also stressed collaboration with startups, government programmes, and the use of social media to scale good practices.