Madhya Pradesh leaves behind states pioneer in agriculture production

Bhopal: President Shri Pranab Mukherjee has said that Madhya Pradesh has left behind states pioneer in agriculture production. He also lauded the contribution of institutions including Jawaharlal Nehru Agriculture University, Jabalpur for touching new heights in research in agriculture sector. President Shri Pranab Mukherjee was addressing golden jubilee of convocation of the university at Jabalpur today. Governor Shri Ram Naresh Yadav presided over the function while Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan was special guest.

The President stressed the need for promoting schemes and programmes for development and expansion of agriculture to accelerate pace of country’s development. He said that giving fillip to agriculture sector is the need of the hour to get rid of problems like poverty, hunger, unemployment. Shri Mukherjee said that new direction can be given to employment and development by tapping immense potential of multi-dimensional expansion of agriculture sector. He said that adequate food grains are being produced in the country as a result of improved fertilisers, seeds, agriculture implements and techniques. He lauded the contribution of institutions including Jawaharlal Nehru Agriculture University, Jabalpur for scaling new heights in research in agriculture sector. The President said that the state has left behind states pioneer in agriculture production due to adoption of advanced agriculture techniques.

President Shri Pranab Mukherjee said that agriculture universities have important contribution in country’s agriculture development and common people’s welfare. Quality agriculture education is a must for agriculture sector’s progress and efficient agriculture management. Efforts should be made from school level to ensure that talented students are attracted towards agriculture.

Governor Shri Ram Naresh Yadav said that we will have to raise youths who help farmers in making agriculture profitable. Gross enrollment rate in agriculture is less as compared to higher education and needs to be increased. For this, need-based new agriculture colleges will have to be opened. Besides, agriculture subject will have to be given wider dimension at school level also.

Shri Yadav said that this university is on top in the country due to its commitment to production, augmentation of seeds and publicity and maximum supply of certified seeds in the country. The university has set the record of evolving 238 species which give more yield and are disease-resistant. This university’s role is praiseworthy in making Madhya Pradesh the soybean state of the country. Today, Madhya Pradesh stands first in production of oilseeds, pulses, soybean, gram and garlic. Along with these achievements, record quantity of wheat has also been produced in the state.

Shri Yadav said that agriculture university’s professors, agriculture scientists and students should make united efforts and the university is included in 100 best universities in Asia. Wishing the students bright future, he exhorted them to give priority to morality and character as these virtues will help state and country progress.

Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that Madhya Pradesh has received Krishi Karman Award consecutively for second time. Perhaps, Madhya Pradesh is the first state in the country which has witnessed continuous rise in agriculture growth rate. With the cooperation of agriculture scientists, officers and researchers, Madhya Pradesh will emerge as the top state in the country in agriculture production. Wishing bright future to students who obtained degrees in the convocation, he exhorted them to prove true to their degrees.

Referring to state government’s achievements, the Chief Minister said that agriculture production has increased through use of new techniques constantly. Efforts have also been started to increase irrigation facilities through river-link projects in the state. It is the dream of the state government that Madhya Pradesh should become the top state in agriculture production. Agriculture universities are also developing improved seeds. State’s agriculture scientists have done good work in development of improved seeds and agriculture techniques. The state government will extend every possible cooperation in the researches about changing climate and conditions. Degree-holder researchers should continue to make good use of their efficiency in the interest of the country.

At the outset, university’s vice-chancellor Prof. Vijay Singh Tomar delivered the welcome address and presented the annual report.

It was announced at the convocation to confer degrees of Doctor of Science to former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and famous agriculture scientist and former Director General of Indian Agriculture Research Institute Dr. M.S. Swaminathan absentia.

The President decorated students. Governor and Chancellor gave away PhD degrees to various students. As many as 28 students were given 22 gold medals, 23 students PhD degrees and cash prizes were given away to 2 students. As many as 643 students were given away graduation and 481 students post-graduation degrees.

Students were administered oath to use their education for serving interests of all people’s happiness.

Farmers Welfare and Agriculture Development Minister Shri Gaurishankar Bisen Minister of State for Family Welfare Shri Sharad Jain, MP Shri Rakesh Singh, MLAs Shri Anchal Sonkar, Shri Ashok Rohani, judges of MP High Court, senior officers of Army, Central and state governments, distinguished citizens, public representatives, administrative officers, police officers, university’s officers, employees and students were present on the occasion.