Uttarakhand Governor and Chancellor of the GB University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT) Baby Rani Maurya presided over the university’s 32nd convocation here on Monday.

Addressing the gathering, Maurya said that keeping in view the globally occurring changes in teaching and research, GBPUAT should also revisit its different programmes and redefine its priorities. She said that the research programmes on the changes occurring in ecology, flora and fauna due to climate change, especially in mountain areas, should be the priority of the university scientists in their research programmes. The governor said that the medicinal and nutritional properties of special mountain crops of Uttarakhand is known world over and these must be a part of research agenda of the scientists to increase their production so as to increase the income of the farmers. The governor also emphasised on decreasing the cost of agricultural production and improving the quality of soil.

Speaking as the chief guest, progressive farmer advocating organic farming, Bharat Bhushan Tyagi, emphasised upon understanding the natural system deeply and holistically before making any change in agriculture. He said that the agricultural research has, so far, been inclined on maximising production rather than maximising prosperity. He said that agriculture system must be based on co- existence, diversity, climate, soil quality and its structure so that 12 crops can be grown in one field in a year and the production can be increased by up to five times. Tyagi also suggested some guidelines to the university scientists for agricultural research in future.

Vice chancellor Tej Partap, presented a report of achievements of the university in education, research and extension fields. He told about the vision of the university to increase the number of students in the university up to 25,000 in long run and to 10,000 in next five years.

At the convocation, Maurya conferred the honourary degree of doctor of science on progressive farmer and Padma Shree recipient Bharat Bhushan Tyagi. Chancellor’s Gold Medal for the best graduate was presented to Aruna Kuniyal besides Vice-Chancellor’s 14 Gold, 11 Silver and 11 Bronze medals. A total 1,417 degrees were given to students of undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD.  The university registrar AP Sharma proposed the vote of thanks.