Agricultural universities play vital role in sustainable agriculture: Governor

 

Governor delivers Chancellor’s Address at the 5^th Convocation of PJSTSAU

·         Emphasises on the convergence of traditional knowledge and modern technology in agriculture

·         Research and innovation are important for sustainable and profitable agriculture

 

Hyderabad, April 17: “Research in agricultural universities is vital to make agriculture sustainable and to double the income of the farmers,” said the Governor, Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan.

She emphasised the need to converge the traditional knowledge and modern technology in agriculture to make the farming sustainable and to ensure the food security of the generations to come.

The Governor, in her capacity as the Chancellor, was addressing the 5^th Convocation of the Professor Jaya Shankar Telangana State Agricultural University, here, in a virtual mode on Saturday.

Referring to the goals of Atma Nirbhar Bharat, Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan stated that sustainability and self-reliance in agriculture sector were also vital to realise the objective of Self-Reliant India.

The Governor said that the Covid-19 pandemic had once again highlighted the need to promote Organic Farming on a massive scale to protect the nature.

Citing the findings of a recent survey carried out by the Raj Bhavan in select primitive tribal areas in Bhadradri Kothagudem district, she said that people belonging to primitive tribal group, Kondareddy, were not cultivating their lands though they were having lands and huge backyards.

“I call upon the young agricultural graduates and agricultural universities to create awareness about farming and help them (tribal people) to farm their lands. This would help them get economically empowered and improve their nutritional status,” she added.

The Governor exhorted the young agricultural graduates and researchers to have a new perspective of thinking and promote innovation so as to be in tune with the demands of the fast changing world.

Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan lauded the farmer-friendly initiatives launched by the State government. She said that the initiatives in farming sector helped Telangana State emerge as the “Rice Bowl of India.”

She highlighted the need to promote sustainable agriculture, making agriculture profitable, and to ensure the food security for the future generations as crucial for the country’s progress.

The Governor appreciated the Professor Jaya Shankar Telangana State Agricultural University for setting up Innovation Centre and Agricultural Hubs to promote research, innovation and entrepreneurship in agriculture.

As part of the 5^th Convocation, the Governor conferred NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand, who was the chief guest at the convocation, with the honorary doctorate.

The Governor, who took part in the virtual convocation from Puducherry, also presented degrees to the graduates and researchers and medals to the winners.

The PJSTSAU vice-chancellor Prof. V. Praveen Rao, Registrar, Deans, faculty members, staff, students and parents took part in the second consecutive virtual convocation.