Discussions were held on the implementation of the New Education Policy – 2022 in the agricultural education arena
“Our concerted efforts should be to make the self-dependent agricultural sector along with Aatma Nirbhar Bharat. This will help to strengthen the country’s economy,” said Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare. Tomar was addressing the inaugural session of the ‘Annual Conference of Vice-Chancellors of State Agricultural Universities & Directors of ICAR Institutes – 2022’ organised by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi at the National Agricultural Science Centre Complex, New Delhi.
He also underlined the implementation of the New Education Policy – 2022 in the agricultural education arena.
Tomar stressed providing the farmers with quality education to help them withstand the recent competitive world. The need for linking and attracting the youths to the agricultural sector was also emphasised in the Union Minister’s address. He asserted the Central Government’s aim and vision to reduce the farmers’ expenditure and provide them with prompt results. The Union Minister advised the council to have quality interactions with the retired/former staff members of the council that will benefit the young task force in their research. The importance of organic products in agricultural exports was underlined by him.
Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying emphasised attracting and linking the youths with the agricultural sector. The Union Minister applauded the ICAR’s pivotal role in enhancing the agricultural and allied sciences production of the country.
Kailash Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare stressed the need for promoting precision farming to a large extent. He urged the Council for enhancing the research in the arena of horticultural sciences. ‘Utilising the new Education Policy – 2020, the agricultural students can become a role model for the others,” said Choudhary. The minister accentuated providing vocational education to the farmers’ children on a priority basis.
Shobha Karandlaje, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare also marked her presence as the Guest of Honor during the occasion.
Dr Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) asserted the Council’s commitment to providing quality agricultural and allied sciences services to the nation. The DG stated that the Council has enabled the unique management of Universities to decide the pathways for a brighter future. The effective implementation of the New Education Policy – 2020 by the ICAR was underlined by Dr Mohapatra. The need for developing such digital platforms that can enable the farmers to get in touch with the ICAR Institutes effectively was highlighted in the Director General’s address.
Sanjay Garg, Additional Secretary (DARE) & Secretary (ICAR) delivered the welcome address.
Proposing the vote of thanks, Dr RC Agrawal, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Education), ICAR highlighted the various achievements made by the Agricultural Education Division of the Council. The dignitaries also released the various ICAR Publications and Products on the occasion.
The Vice-Chancellors of State Agricultural Universities; Deputy Directors General of ICAR; Senior Officials of ICAR and NAHEP along with the Heads of Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Agricultural Scientists participated in the conference.
