Birsa Agricultural University (BAU) will host three-day Agrotech Kisan Mela from March 14 to 16. The annual fair is being held after a span of two years. It is basically a platform for the State farmers to explore opportunities in the field of farming, animal husbandry and cottage industry.
“The fair is based on the theme of integrated technology for rural development. Around 100 stalls will be displayed of which 40 belong to BAU. We are organising the fair in partnership with Professional Agricultural Management Services (PAMS) in order to manage the funds crunch. PAMS will manage the registration and stall charges,” said BAU Vice Chancellor (VC) George John while briefing the media on Thursday.
John related the fair with State Agricultural Policy recently announced by Chief Minister (CM) Raghubar Das. He said, “CM mulls to set up an Agricultural policy in the next three months. Participants will be asked to express views on the policy framework.”
Farmers from various districts of the state are being coordinated through agency Aatma and Krishi Vigyan Kendras functioning under BAU. The fair will be inaugurated by the CM. Agriculture Minister RK Singh, Kanke legislator Jeetu Charan Ram and Assembly Speaker Dinesh Oraon have been invited on the inaugural day.
Social Welfare Minister louis Marandi, Jharkhand State Commission for Women Chairperson Mahua Maji and Mayor Asha lakra will be attending a symposium on growth of women farmers on the second day of the fair. Urban Development Minister CP Singh and Padmashree Ashok Bhagat will be part of the fair on the same day.
The valedictory session on March 16 will be witnessed by Governor Syed Ahmed and Agriculture Secretary Nitin Madan Kulkarni.
As many 35 farmers are to be felicitated in the field of progressive and innovative agriculture. The VC is in hope of organising satellite events after the fair. Such continuous efforts according to him will motivate the local farmers.
John who was appointed as VC about five months back is preparing a roadmap to tackle the fund, manpower and infrastructural hurdles. He is aiming to revise all zonal research stations into one stop technological shop.
BAU is working on the proposed Centre for Advanced Studies in Tribal Agriculture for promoting the traditional farming culture. John said a consultation over the proposal was done during Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh’s last visit to the university.
Moreover, BAU is in process on re-starting the undergraduate courses in veterinary sciences which is non-functional for past two years. John said they are hopeful of restarting the course from this year onwards.
BAU seeks financial support
BAU is suffering from financial crunch. The university’s VC George John told mediapersons on Thursday that they are in search of organisations like PSUs for strengthening the teaching and infrastructure.
“The entire campus including hostels and offices are in a dilapidated condition. In such circumstances, we need a new campus but it is not possible. So, we are searching organisations like PSUs and foreign companies for financial help,” he said. Also, John is eager to get the support of university alumni for other developmental works.