Inaugurating 35th Extension Education Council meeting at Birsa Agriculture University (BAU) on Thursday, BAU Vice Chancellor (BAU), Onkarnath Singh stressed on the need to strengthen the extension education system to accelerate agricultural development in the State.
Singh said that due to giving more priority to agricultural development in the entire Country and States, the workload and responsibility on the agricultural extension systems situated in the States has increased significantly. Despite Covid-19, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) situated in the district related to research and dissemination in the State have made remarkable contributions through their programs, he added.
The VC further said that all these centers are struggling with technical human resource and other problems which have a direct impact on agricultural development. There is full cooperation from the State Government and meaningful cooperation is also being received from the officers of the State Government, especially the Agriculture Secretary, he added.
“The major problems of the extension system are likely to be resolved soon. The university is striving towards the need to strengthen the extension system with the cooperation and coordination of the Government in accelerating the agricultural development in the State,” said Singh.
The VC also said that the KVKs are also getting cooperation from the local district administration. “These centers can be strengthened by increasing the scope of cooperation in the development of the district.
This will help in speeding up the agricultural expansion in the district. On the instructions of the Agriculture Minister, successful operation of seed cover program and technical consultation is being done by KVK by selecting 20 - 20 Birsa farmers in each district of the State during the current Kharif season.
Various programs of research and dissemination are being run by the University BY Directorate of Extension Education in Ulihatu, the birth place of Lord Birsa Munda,” he added. On this occasion, Singh released
Extension Highlights: 2020 - 21 published by the Directorate of Extension Education.
Speaking on the occasion Director of Research, Dr A Wadood said that with the presence of KVKs functioning in the district, the access of the Agricultural University to the farmers of remote villages has become very easy. He said that the KVKs play a big role in the transfer of technologies obtained from agricultural research to the farmers. He stressed on making the farmers' feedback apprised of technical issues in promoting research programmes.
On the occasion, Dean Agriculture, Dr MS Yadav stressed on affiliation of rural agricultural work experience program of agricultural graduates with the Directorate of Extension Education in the activities of villages, blocks and districts.
In the technical session of the council, Director Extension Education, Dr Jagarnath Oraon presented the achievements of the year 2021-21 and the proposals for the upcoming action plan.