Chandigarh, April 24- The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu while chairing convocation ceremonies at National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) Karnal and CCSHAU, Hisar today was delighted that the maximum gold medalists were girls, said the President.

“Universities should act as laboratories from where knowledge spreads and benefits the entire society and it is a matter of great satisfaction and pride that our daughters are progressing in many fields including agriculture and allied sciences, said the President while speaking at the 25th convocation ceremony held at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCSHAU), Hisar.

The President said at present increasing population, agricultural land shrinkage, depleting groundwater level, decreasing soil fertility, climate change, etc have become major challenges for the agriculture sector.

“It is the responsibility of agricultural professionals like you to find a permanent solution to tackle these challenges,” exhorted the President.

The President also urged the students to make such devoted efforts so that nutritious food can be made available to our huge population, with minimum damage to the environment and biodiversity.

“Completing these tasks is both a challenge and an opportunity before you. I have full faith that you will convert this challenge into an opportunity and make the best use of your academic knowledge and experience,” said Smt. Murmu.

She said that CCSHAU has been making significant contributions in agricultural Education, Research and Extension since its inception. This institute has also played a remarkable role in the success of the Green Revolution and the White Revolution.

She said that the University has so far developed many varieties of crops. About 18000 quintals of high-quality seeds are produced every year for different types of crops. “Today, when the entire world is connected with each other and humanity is facing challenges like global warming and climate change, then international cooperation becomes very important. This Varsity is collaborating with institutions of many countries on subjects related to agriculture,” said Smt. Droupadi Murmu.

She was happy to note that HAU has established an Incubation Centre to promote entrepreneurship through innovation, technology upgradation and skill development.

Congratulating the students, she said that this convocation ceremony is not just an occasion to confer degrees, awards or medals, but also a golden opportunity to accept challenges through acquired abilities and resolve to make our dreams come true.

She said that as a student of agricultural science, they will have the opportunity to use their bookish knowledge practically. Now you will contribute to the development of agriculture along with the ‘Annadata’ (farmer) and will continue to serve the agriculture sector, said the President.

Haryana is the second largest contributor to the central food grains stock

The President said that if today Haryana is the second largest contributor to the food grain stocks under Central Pool, the credit goes to the farmer-friendly policies of the Central and State Governments, technological initiatives of HAU, and willingness of the farmers of this state to adopt the latest agricultural techniques. 

“I have full faith that the future of Haryana will be even brighter on the strength of the acumen and capability of the hardworking residents of this place.

Using water judiciously is the need of the hour

The President while highlighting the role of technology in reducing the cost of farming, increasing productivity, and making agriculture environment-friendly and more profitable said that water is an important component of agriculture but it is available in limited quantities. Therefore, judicious use of water in agriculture is very important. There should be maximum use of technology in irrigation so that exploitation of water resources can be minimised, said Smt. Droupadi Murmu.

She said that every year the problem of air pollution arises in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi region due to stubble burning, therefore together we have to find a solution to the problem of pollution not only for safeguarding our health but also to save the future of the coming generation.

Become a job provider rather than a job seeker, President

Smt. Droupadi Murmu said that India has emerged as a start-up hub. The world's third-largest start-up ecosystem is in India today. There is immense potential for start-ups in agriculture and many allied sectors. That's why youth should become job providers instead of job seekers.

CCSHAU ranks fifth among agricultural universities in India, Governor

Haryana Governor, Sh. Bandaru Dattatraya while congratulating the students who received degrees and medals said that the untiring efforts of the teachers who have imparted knowledge, skills, innovation, research and values to the students have today become fruitful.

He said that the CCSHAU comes at fifth rank among the agricultural universities of India. In the last few years, CCSHAU has established two new colleges of Fisheries Science and Biotechnology on the main campus, working according to the demand of the time.

The Governor said the University has also established the Institute of Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Business Management at Gurugram.

He further said that to promote natural and organic agriculture, the University has established the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Center of Excellence, a 123-acre organic agriculture farm. The University has established a Nutrient Grains Research Centre at Gokulpura, Bhiwani for research on coarse grains other than wheat and rice, said Sh. Bandaru Dattatraya.

The Governor said that the CCSHAU has succeeded in developing an electric tractor. Operated by battery, the running cost of this tractor is much cheaper than diesel. The university has established incubation centre to promote agricultural enterprises among the youth, under which more than 90 startups have come up, he asserted.

He said that the University has also established seven community radio stations to give advice to the farmers. In addition to providing world-class education, CCSHAU plays other roles in research and extension for the benefit of farmers and agriculture, asserted the Governor.

Young scientists will bring Haryana’s name on world map with their achievements: Chief Minister

On the occasion, Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that the young scientists will bring Haryana’s name on the world map with their achievements. He said that in order to fulfill the adage ‘Shiksharth Aaiye Sevarth Jaiye’, the students will prove it by applying the knowledge gained from education in social service.

Congratulating all the young scientists who received their degrees, the Chief Minister said that along with crop diversification for farmers; dairy, fisheries, poultry, beekeeping, tree plantation, biogas, vermicompost, organic pesticides and water conservation methods are being adopted on a large scale. “This university has earned a big name in the country and abroad in the field of agricultural research. Not only this, there is a remarkable contribution of this university in making Haryana reach the stage of prosperity,” he added.

Food grains production increased to 183 lakh tonnes

The Chief Minister said that at the time of the establishment of the Agricultural University, food grain production was 26 lakh tonnes, which has now increased to 183 lakh tonnes due to research methods and awareness of farmers and production of new seeds. By adopting the seeds developed by this university and the modern techniques of farming etc., the farmers of the state have filled the grain store of the country. Today, apart from being self-sufficient in grain storage, it is also being exported to other countries, he asserted.

Emphasis on adopting integrated farming model to increase agricultural production, farmers' income

Sh. Manohar Lal said that at present, when the world is facing a food crisis, India is in a position to export food grains only on the strength of institutions like this university. At this time when we are facing a water crisis, this institute is also helping us to overcome this crisis by developing high yielding seeds of crops grown on less water, he added. “Apart from this, emphasis is being laid on adopting integrated farming model to increase agricultural production, reduce production cost and provide additional income to the farmers,” said the Chief Minister.

He said that the Agricultural University was named after former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, the messiah of the farmers. “He was in favour of the use of modern techniques in agriculture for the prosperity of the country. It was him who established the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) in 1979 as the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of the country, which has become the pivot of rural development today,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.

The Chief Minister said that apart from being self-sufficient due to the Green Revolution, many challenges were also faced in which diversification in traditional farming led to shortage of food quality and water. “There was over-exploitation of water due to which many areas also became dark zones. There is a need to study to overcome such challenges, besides studying the protection of crops, use of more or less water, and the quality of the soil,” he added.

He said that along with the establishment of Maharana Pratap Horticultural University, the state government has done the work of opening new centres of excellence. Apart from this, ‘Mera Pani-Meri Virasat’ Yojana was launched in the state to encourage the cultivation of crops that require less water in place of crops grown with more water like paddy.

On the occasion, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Sh. JP Dalal, Rajya Sabha MP, Lt General (retd) Dr DP Vats, Deputy Speaker Vidhan Sabha, Sh. Ranbir Gangwa, Chief Secretary, Sh. Sanjeev Kaushal, Director General of Police, Sh. PK Aggarwal, vice-chancellor, Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Dr. BR Kamboj and other dignitaries were present.