Bhubaneswar, Nov 11:  Around 250 researchers and scientists from across the world are attending the three-day ‘AZRA 2025’, the 19th international conference of Applied Zoologists Research Association (AZRA), which commenced at the Institute of Agricultural Sciences (IAS), faculty of agricultural sciences of SOA Deemed to be University here on Tuesday.

The delegates would discuss and focus on the subject of the impact of environmental changes on food and nutritional security as also on human health at the event, Prof. Santosh Kumar Rout, Dean of IAS, said.

The conference has been jointly organised by AZRA, SOA and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines.

Dr. D.S.Jayas, President of AZRA, who addressed the inaugural session, focused on the global threat of climate change and the need to find ways to tackle the same.

Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda, Vice-Chancellor of SOA, who presided over the session, highlighted the problem of global warming focusing on its impact on the world and humanity. He said the conference would greatly benefit students and researchers.

The other speakers included Dr. N. K. Krishnakumar, former Deputy Director General of Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) (Horticulture) and Dr. R.C.Joshi, an expert in the field. Dr. Santosh Kumar Panda, Chief Coordinator of the conference, Dr. Ladu Kishore Rath and Prof. Pravat Kumar Sarangi, both Joint Coordinators, also spoke.

The event includes scientific discussions, exhibitions and field visits.