Deputy Director General (Education), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, a Government of India Enterprise, Dr RC Agarwal visited BAU on Tuesday. On this occasion, he inaugurated the upgraded and equipped button mushroom production unit operated by the Department of Plant Diseases in the Faculty of Agriculture of Birsa Agriculture University (BAU).
The University Experts informed Agarwal about the opportunities and possibilities of entrepreneurship in the mushroom sector from the graduate students of agriculture doing experiential learning program in the unit. On the occasion BAU, Vice Chancellor, ON Singh was also present. In-Charge Dr. Narendra Kudada gave information about quality seed (spawn) production of mushrooms, production of various mushrooms and regular training in the unit. Dr. Aggarwal emphasized on conducting a comprehensive training program on mushroom production by BAU.
The DDG also inaugurated the newly constructed PG Girls Hostel in BAU campus by cutting the ribbon, courtesy of ICAR. He said that a large number of girl students are studying in UG courses of all the agricultural universities of the Country. In such a situation, a girls hostel has been established in the university to extend the facility of a healthy, calm and safe environment to PG students.
On the occasion, VC Singh urged ICAR to provide additional girls hostel facilities in various colleges in view of the increase in girl students studying in BAU.
The foundation stone of this 100-bed hostel was laid in January 2019 by the then Governor, Draupadi Murmu. This two-storey building built at a cost of about Rs 3 crore is spread over about 24,000 square meters. This building also has the facility of residence, common room, guest room, gymnasium, sick girl's room and warden's room for differently-abled girl students.
In a high-level meeting held in the BAU Management Council room, University ICAR Coordinator Dr MS Mallick informed about the delay in getting the ICAR Development Grant to BAU affecting the academic development work and discrepancy in fund allocation. On the occasion, Dean Veterinary, Dr Sushil Prasad, Dean Agriculture, Dr DK Shahi, Dean PG, Dr MK Gupta, Associate Dean, EDK Rusia informed about the problems of the students. Dr Aggarwal listened carefully and asked to send proposals on points. On the request of VC, Dr Singh, it was said to provide all possible help from ICAR.
Aggarwal visited the Giloy Processing and Research Center located at the Faculty of Forestry. He appreciated the achievements of BAU in the field of medicine.
