A two-day conference of Vice Chancellors' of Agriculture Universities was organised at Birsa Argiculture Univeristy (BAU) here on Wednesday. The conference was conducted by Indian Agricultural Universities Association in collaboration with BAU on the theme of 'Centre-State Relationship in Agricultural Universities'.
Speaking at the conference State Governor Syed Ahmed said agriculture played important role in the country's economy as it was the main source of people's livelihood and added that technological advancement was necessary for total economic development of the country. As far as Jharkhand was concerned, nature has blessed the State immensely. Although the State stores around 40 per cent minerals of the country, it is still primarily an agricultural State, said Governor. Around 70 per cent population of the State depend on agriculture for sustenance.
While elaborating on the role of agriculture, the Governor tried to draw attention towards lack of irrigation facility to farmers. Despite good rains farmers do not get adequate water for agriculture as the rain water flows out of plateau. He also shed light on soil erosion and effects of various external factors on crop yield. We produce half of our need hence we need to harvest water. I would urge farmers to awaken themselves in this regard and would ask Agriculture department, Argiculture University and departments associated with water harvesting to spread awareness about it, said Governor.
The Governor also touched issues like lack of cultivable land in Jharkhand and other businesses like horticulture used an alternative to agriculture. Governor urged Agriculture Universities and other centers to exchange information besides promoting education on agriculture. The conference was attended by Dr S Ayyappan Secretary (DARE) & DG (ICAR); Dr V K Taneja VC GADVASU, ludhiana & president, IAUA and Dr M P Pandey VC BAU.