Governor Mangubhai Patel urged students to help address the complex challenges faced by farmers by integrating traditional knowledge with modern science and technical skills.
He also encouraged efforts to make advanced agricultural technology accessible to underserved and remote areas.
Governor Patel was adressing the tenth convocation of Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Agricultural University in Gwalior.
He extended his congratulations and best wishes to the graduating students, their teachers, and parents.
The convocation was held in the Dattopant Thengadi Auditorium of the Agricultural University under the special hospitality of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University Pusa Samastipur Bihar Chancellor Prof. PL Gautam and National Organization Secretary of Bharatiya Kisan Sangh Shri Dinesh Kulkarni. On this occasion, Vice Chancellor of Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Agricultural University Prof. Arvind Kumar Shukla, members of the University Working Council and Acharya were present on the stage.
In the convocation, nationally and internationally renowned agricultural scientist Jagdish Kumar Laddha, senior Indian Administrative Service officer OP Srivastava, international level agricultural scientist PM Gaur and Vatsal Deepak Sajde, who is making a name in organic farming, were honored by the Agricultural University by conferring honorary degrees.
Along with this, 7 students were awarded gold medals and 4 students were awarded Sirtaj Bahadur Sinha Memorial Cash Awards.
A total of 979 students of the year 2023-24 were awarded degrees in the convocation. Among them, PhD degrees were awarded to 48 researchers, graduation degrees to 666 and postgraduate degrees to 265 students. On this occasion, the souvenir of the convocation was also released.
In his convocation address, Governor Patel emphasized that universities should guide students in exploring entrepreneurial opportunities in agriculture and related fields to support a self-reliant India and the “Vocal for Local” initiative. He highlighted the importance of transforming ordinary farmers from mere producers to entrepreneurs through innovative ideas and practices.
Governor Patel urged students to use their talents to uplift those in society’s most disadvantaged and underserved communities.
He remarked that while today is a significant day for the graduating students, they should remember that society has played a role in their success.
This contribution, he noted, can be repaid through dedicated service to the nation and society.
The Governor expressed his joy in witnessing the enthusiasm and energy of the degree recipients, adding that he is confident that their efforts will help realize the vision of a prosperous and developed India.
Chancellor of Central Agricultural University PUSA, Prof. PL Gautam said that we all take pride in the kind of revolution that has occurred in the field of agriculture in the country.
But population growth, climate change, lack of water resources, increasing cost of farming and the lack of interest of youth in farming are such challenges universities will have to make efforts to deal with them.
For this, the structure will have to be strengthened and modern technology will have to be used to move forward.
He emphasized on quality agricultural education, research and its dissemination. He also pointed out the need to form an agricultural commission at the national level.
Prof. Gautam praised the research being undertaken at Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Agricultural University and the new dimensions established in the field of natural farming.
Special guest of the programme and National Organization Secretary Bharatiya Kisan Sangh Dinesh Kulkarni said that it is true that compared to other sectors, unemployment in the field of agriculture is negligible. But the matter of concern is that agricultural students turn more towards jobs instead of using their knowledge in farming.
It is worth considering that after taking agricultural education, students do jobs and those who did not get agricultural education do farming.
Therefore, it is very important that agricultural students become job providers by setting up advanced farming and farming related enterprises rather than job seekers. This will definitely inspire others and farming will become a profitable business.
The welcome address and convocation address was given by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Arvind Kumar Shukla.
He also highlighted the achievements of the university.
Prof Shukla informed that the degrees from 2018 to 2023-24 have been uploaded in Digi Locker. Radio frequency system has been installed for the attendance of the students.
The wheat species has also been prepared in collaboration with Bhabha Automatic Autonomic Center. 11 research projects are underway in the university, in which this project of 229 lakhs is for potato seed production in the air.
At the same time, a solar based intensive project has been implemented in Gwalior to provide good quality seeds along with hybrid seeds worth Rs 416 lakh for vegetable seeds. Meanwhile, success has been achieved in green and energy audit.
