The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Radha Mohan Singh announced a Rs  25 crore project for the GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT) while attending the conclusion of the Kisan Mela and agro-industrial exhibition organised by the university. later while attending a meeting with university officials along with the Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and state Agriculture Minister Subodh Uniyal, the Union Minister said that the university should be developed as a model for farmers on Tuesday.

Speaking at the conclusion of the Kisan Mela, the Union Minister referred to the history and achievements of the university, stressing that GBPUAT has made a vital contribution to seed production. Speaking about the dwindling presence of coarse grains in the mountainous regions, he stressed on the seed production of such varieties for their conservation and development. He said that scientists should help raise awareness among farmers regarding techniques for enhancing soil quality and use of minimal water for irrigation. He also stressed on making of integrated farming model in pursuance of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of doubling the income of farmers. He also announced a Rs  25 crore project for GBPUAT under the Central Government’s institutional development programme. The union minister further informed the gathering about the various measures taken by the Central Government for the development of agriculture and benefit of farmers.

later, speaking at the meeting with university officials, Singh said that the university has thousands of acres of land which can enable a manifold increase in its income and such work can be shown to the farmers to help them double their incomes. He pointed at the need for developing different models of integrated farming and displaying the same for farmers along with details of expense and income incurred. The Union Minister exhorted all employees of the GBPUAT to not consider their work to be ‘government work’ but undertake it as their own work. He further suggested that four groups of scientists should adopt four villages initially so that eventually all villages at the Nyay Panchayat level can be adopted by scientists. Stating that change was taking place in the country, the union minister said that officials have an important role to play in bringing about such change. All agriculture universities, institutions and officials related to agriculture will play a a vital role in bringing about the desired change in agriculture sector, he stressed.

Speaking at the meeting, CM Trivendra Singh Rawat expressed concern at the depletion of farming in the mountainous regions of Uttarakhand. lack of water, scattered farming and wildlife moving closer to the villages are among the major reasons for this. Scientists need to conduct research for finding solutions to such problems. He also spoke of planned development of growth centres in 670 Nyay Panchayats in Uttarakhand. The State Agriculture minister Subodh Uniyal and university vice chancellor AK Mishra also spoke on the occasion.