Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan emphasised that education should have societal relevance and it must contribute to overall development of rural areas.
Addressing the first convocation of Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University on Wednesday at University’s auditorium in Rajendranagar, the Governor said that the agriculture education, with more practical orientation, would make the students to serve the farming community in a better way. “Adopting village with a holistic approach will reduce poverty and migration to urban areas. Upliftment of rural poor can be ensured by providing urban facilities to improve income levels of farming community,” he said.
The Governor said elimination of poverty in Telangana was his dream. He stressed on educating rural people on nutritional balanced food to address the issue of malnutrition. He said farmers’ income should be increased by adopting appropriate technologies. He also praised the PJTSAU for its active involvement in formulation of crop colonies concept in Telangana.
Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & Director General Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi delivered the convocation address. “Agricultural education now needs introspection as well as reorientation to make it more relevant and vibrant to meet current challenges successfully. The National Higher Agricultural Education (NAHEP) Project to be funded by World Bank, aimed at improving the relevance and quality of higher education in agriculture should be seen as an opportunity to attract more talented students, competent faculty and innovative researchers into the field of agriculture,” he said.
Dr. Mohapatra said that the ICAR has been supporting Education, Research and Extension with different programmes like AICRP s, K.V.Ks and Colleges to serve the farming community and improving the income levels of farmers. “ICAR is providing development grants for improving infrastructure facilities, Faculty Research, Student Ready programme etc., Students of PJTSAU should utilize the knowledge and facilities available in ICAR institutions in Hyderabad. Farmers income can be doubled by reducing the cost of cultivation, improving water usage , ensuring good soil health management and adopting integrated farming system,” he said.
PJTSAU Vice Chancellor Dr. V. Praveen Rao presented a brief report of the University activities, for the period from 3rd September 2014 to 31st July 2016.
In this convocation, about 319 M.Sc /Ph.D and 790 UG students were awarded degrees. A total of 17 gold medals were presented to students for their outstanding performance in academics. While M. Shravani received 5 gold medals, Divya Sree received 3 gold medals in B.Tech (Agri Engineering) and K. Amar Prasad received three gold medals in Plant Pathology subject. (INN)