With a motive to uphold the traditional indigenous agriculture practices of Jharkhand, Birsa Agricultural University (BAU) has started working for setting up the Center for Advance Study in Tribal Agriculture. It is planned to function at the headquarter premises of the university at Kanke.
“As of now, we are focusing on the documentation of the centre. Separate funds for the establishment are required for the operation. The role of the centre would be to asses the lost traditional farming practices and encourage local farmers to adopt those,” said BAU Vice Chancellor George John.
“No new courses will be introduced at the centre. It would restrict to researches for enhancing the crop productivity through traditional agricultural forms,” added the Vice Chancellor.
A consultation over the proposal was done during the last visit of Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh to the university. George made the announcement of establishing the centre during the 35th Foundation Day programme of BAU’s on June 26.
Sources from the university stated that farmers would be asked to adapt the method considering their socio-economic climate.
“Some of the age old farming and cultivation techniques can replace the modern chemical fertilizers, irrigation and pesticides. Farmers can gain profit with the methods,” said a university official.
Though the centre is planned to be constructed at the Kanke campus, the authorities are yet to find an exact location within the vicinity. Asked about the commencement of the centre, John said the date has not been fixed.
“Crops of the region like Marua and Goda are helpful in producing nutrition. We want farmers to learn the hidden nutrition value of such crops grown in the region,” said the Vice Chancellor George John.
The agricultural university has been playing a pivotal role in spreading awareness on updated agricultural practices through its Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in each district and community radio particularly among the rural farmers.
In order to augment the farmer’s income, BAU in the next two years is willing to concentrate on the non-cereal crops and their productivity.