President Droupadi Murmu, while chairing convocation ceremonies at National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) Karnal and Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCSHAU), Hisar on Monday, said that 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.
“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 CCSHAU, Hisar.
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.
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 Murmu.
Confers degrees on 544 students at 19th NDRI convocation, Karnal
In another event, the President, while chairing the 19th convocation ceremony at National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) Karnal conferred degrees on 544 students including gold medals. While congratulating the students receiving degrees, Murmu said that with these degrees a new chapter has been started in their life and each one of them should continue the streak of learning new things along with making significant contributions to the welfare of the people. The President urged the students to contribute significantly to the progress of the nation and become entrepreneurs along with getting employment in the dairy industry. There are immense possibilities for growth in this field and you should take advantage of these possibilities, said Smt. Droupadi Murmu.
Haryana Governor 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.
Scientists will bring State’s name on world map with their achievements: CM Khattar
Addressing the gathering during 25th convocation ceremony of CCSHAU, Hisar, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar 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.
       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 the 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.
Khattar 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 an integrated farming model to increase agricultural production, reduce production cost and provide additional income to the farmers,” said the Chief Minister.
Assures to provide loans to youth interested to run Dairy Industry
Speaking at National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karna, Khattar said that the state government will provide loans to unemployed youth who are interested in running the Dairy Industry. This step will certainly prove to be resourceful in ensuring their contribution in milk supply to the country apart from giving them self-employment opportunities. “In the past, a survey was conducted by the government to provide employment to the youth, in which 60 percent of youth expressed their desire to adopt self-employment in the Dairy Sector. In order to give wings to the dreams of such youth, the state government will hold talks with the banking sector and help them establish their Dairy Industry through the Cooperation Department,” said Khattar.
Describing the farmers of Haryana as ‘hardworking’, the Chief Minister said that the availability of milk in the country is 444 grams per person, whereas, in Haryana, the availability of milk per person per day is 1127 grams.  “Today Haryana is third in milk production in the country, but I am hopeful that due to the hard work of the farmers, the State will soon overtake Punjab and other states to become number one in terms of highest milk production,” said Khattar.