“Our concerted efforts should be to make the self-dependent agricultural sector along with Aatma Nirbhar Bharat. This will help to strengthen the country’s economy”, said Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare. Shri Tomar was addressing the inaugural session of the “Annual Conference of Vice-Chancellors of State Agricultural Universities & Directors of ICAR Institutes – 2022” organized by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi here at National Agricultural Science Centre Complex, New Delhi.
Regarding the agriculture as the backbone and bone marrow of the country’s economy, the Union Minister urged for strengthening it more. “It is the result of the concerted efforts of the agricultural scientists and farmers’ community that the agriculture has led the country to be accoladed at 1st or 2nd positions in the global markets”, said Shri Tomar. He also underlined the implementation of New Education Policy – 2022 in the agricultural education arena.
Shri Tomar stressed on providing the farmers with the quality education to help them withstand the recent competitive world. The need for linking and attracting the youths towards the agricultural sector was also emphasized in the Union Minister’s address. He asserted on the Central Government’s aim and vision to reduce the farmers’ expenditure and provide them with the prompt results. The Union Minister advised the Council to have quality interactions with the retired / former Staff Members of the Council that will benefit the young task force in their research. The importance of organic products in the agricultural exports was underlined by him.
Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying emphasized on attracting and linking the youths with the agricultural sector. The Union Minister applauded the ICAR’s pivotal role in enhancing the agricultural and allied sciences’ production of the country.
Shri Kailash Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare stressed on the need for promoting the precision farming to a large extent. He urged the Council for enhancing the research in the arena of horticultural sciences. “Utilizing the new Education Policy – 2020, the agricultural students can become a role model for the others”, said Shri Choudhary. The Minister accentuated on providing the vocational education to the farmers’ children on a priority basis.
Km. Shobha Karandlaje, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare also marked her presence as the Guest of Honor during the occasion.
Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) asserted on the Council’s commitment to provide the quality agricultural and allied sciences’ services to the nation. The DG stated that the Council has enabled the unique management of Universities to decide the pathways for the brighter future. The effective implementation of the New Education Policy – 2020 by the ICAR was underlined by Dr. Mohapatra. The need for developing such digital platforms that can enable the farmers to get in touch with the ICAR Institutes effectively was highlighted in the Director General’s address. “It is the time for us to focus on export-oriented exports”, said the DG. He also opined for increasing the ICAR’s quota for Admissions in the Post-Graduate Courses from 15% to 20% and Under-Graduate Courses from 20% to 30%. The Council’s aim for 10% enhancements in the Seats for Admissions in the various Colleges affiliated with the Agricultural Universities was also outlined by him.
Earlier, Shri Sanjay Garg, Additional Secretary (DARE) & Secretary (ICAR) delivered the welcome address.
Proposing the vote of thanks, Dr. R.C. Agrawal, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Education), ICAR highlighted the various achievements made by the Agricultural Education Division of the Council.
