The challenges before the GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar are more than that of other universities as it has to deal with Himalayan agriculture which is altogether different from the mainstream agriculture in the plains, said the Governor of Uttarakhand KK Paul while speaking at thirtieth convocation ceremony of the university on Thursday.
He said the university should now give priority to developing hill agriculture as it has responsibility of agriculture development in a state which is faced with challenges like poor accessibility and fragility of the Himalayan region. The Governor suggested that the university should develop small and light-weight agricultural /farming implements for women in Uttarakhand so that the strain and drudgery of women associated with farming is reduced. He also stressed the need for enhancing the use of information technology in Agriculture. The growth in mobile telephony and other allied sectors should be tapped to boost the adaptation of Information technology in Agriculture. “The university faculty should also be geared up to provide site specific agro-advisory for enhancing input use efficiency. Pantnagar now needs to ensure sustainable food sovereignty of the country as only food security is not, and should not be our ultimate aim”, he said.
The Governor said that our country needs to advance towards food sovereignty. A food sovereign nation is a free nation in the true sense, he explained.
Dr Paul emphasised the need for cultivation of fruit, dry fruit, aromatic plants and cash crops in various hill areas. lauding the role played by the University in ushering in the Green Revolution, the Governor stressed the importance of good seeds in improvement of agricultural produce.
The Governor congratulated the university, the Vice Chancellor, faculty members, staff and students of the university on the occasion. He conferred degrees and medals to the students in the ceremonial programme.