A grand celebration of New Year was organized at Birsa Agricultural University (BAU) on Monday. On the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor, ON Singh inaugurated the International Millets Year – 2023 by cutting a tower-shaped cake made of Ragi.
In his address Singh said that UNO has declared the year 2023 as International Millets Year. “Millets crops have been the identity of India for centuries. In Jharkhand also, the cultivation of Madua, Jowar and Gundli has been prevalent among millets for centuries. Due to traditional farming and less profit, the coverage of millets crops has reduced considerably in the State. While coarse grains like millets are now being called the food of the rich. Its demand and price is very high at the global level. BAU has developed four varieties of Ragi and one variety of Gundli among millet crops suitable for the State's climate. There is a lot of potential to increase the coverage of millet crops in Jharkhand in the whole Country. This needs to be promoted by conducting awareness campaigns by the scientists of Krishi Vigyan Kendras and regional research working under the university,” he added.
The Vice-Chancellor talked about running quality seed production along with awareness campaigns, training, frontline observation on millet crops till the remote rural areas of the state throughout the year. He said that based on the thinking of Lord Birsa, the benefits of modern agricultural techniques should reach the poor and tribal communities of the society. Information about the opportunities for education in the Agricultural University should reach even the remotest villages, so that higher technical education is accessible to the poor, weak and tribal youths of the state.
On the occasion, Dr. SK Pal, Dr. Sushil Prasad, Dr MS Mallick, Dr MS Yadav, Dr MK Gupta, Dr Narendra Kudada, Dr PK Singh, Dr S Karmakar, and Dr KS Risam expressed New Year messages and best wishes among the senior officials of the university.
The program was organized with the courtesy of Directorate of Extension Education, ICAR-Millets Project and ICAR-Nahep Cast Project. The operation was done by University Coordinator (NSS) Dr BK Jha. Welcome Director Research Dr Jagarnath Orao and thanksgiving done by Millets expert Dr. Arun Kumar. University professors, teachers, scientists, non-teaching staff, casual workers and students were present in large numbers on the occasion.