Agriculture Minister attends Convocation ceremony of Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi

Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar was the chief guest during the 2^nd Convocation ceremony of Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi. Shri Tomar also inaugurated the newly constructed Women’s and Men’s Hostel, Guest House and Auditorium. Addressing the ceremony, Shri Tomar expressed happiness that out of 16 students who received Gold medals, 14 were Girls. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, our sisters and daughters are playing a leading role in every field in the country. Shri Tomar also called upon the Agriculture students to contribute as farmers in the country.

Union Minister Shri Tomar said that our country is Agriculture-oriented, at one time it was said that farming belongs to the one who has water, but in the present times, the saying has changed in such a way that farming belongs to the one who has good knowledge. Describing the student life as the Golden period, he expressed confidence that the knowledge of Agriculture students will contribute in making the country’s agriculture more advanced and developed. Shri Tomar said that the land of Bundelkhand has always been known for courage and bravery, the bravery of Rani Lakshmibai and Maharaja Chhatrasal is legendary in the country and the world; located in such a holy land, the Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, set up by the Modi government, has made a lot of progress in a short time span. Along with pulses, oilseeds, vegetables & fruits, organic and natural farming, the entire Uttar Pradesh, including Bundelkhand, is making progress in terms of agriculture. He said that this University and the regional institutes of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) including Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) have played an important role in Uttar Pradesh and adjacent Madhya Pradesh. It is a matter of pleasure that the university is going to establish a Veterinary and Animal Science and Fisheries Sciences College in Datia district, for which the construction work is in progress. Expressing happiness, Shri Tomar said that Bundelkhand, which was once infamous for migration, today the progress of agriculture in this region is in an encouraging situation. This area should emerge as a hub for fruits and vegetables and natural farming, we should redouble our efforts  towards this aim. Along with this, cultivation of oilseeds should also increase in the Bundelkhand region.

Shri Tomar said that in the last 8-9 years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Modi, many concrete steps have been taken by the Government of India in the Agriculture sector, the benefits of which is evident in the farmers’ community and agriculture sector. Our scientists have increased production by doing research efficiently and now the situation has become such that many countries are eager to learn from ICAR scientists. Today the political scenario of the whole world has changed, today the responsibility has come upon the Indian agriculture sector and our farmers to eradicate hunger from the world. Today the expectation from us has increased so much that instead of demanding, we have become a nation of exports.

Shri Tomar said that the Agriculture sector not only provides food grains in the country, but also provides employment in large numbers. With the hard work of farmers and research of scientists, we can meet the needs of the country as well as the world. Today we are at Number One or Second position in the world in most of the agricultural products. We have to aim for the top rank in all products, now everyone needs to work towards this goal. Keeping in view the challenges like increasing population and climate change, steps have to be taken according to the needs of the year 2050. Production will increase only with intensive research, as well as the new generation needs to be attracted towards agriculture. Government of India is working sincerely to increase technical support in Agriculture. The Prime Minister has provisioned Rs 1 lakh crore for the Agri Infra Fund to fill the gaps in infrastructure, besdes Rs. 50,000 crores for Allied Sectors. The work of compensating farmers for loss has also been done under the leadership of PM Modi. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is being run to provide security cover to the farmers, through which claims worth Rs 1.30 lakh crore have been disbursed so far. The Prime Minister also ensured that the farmers got at least Rs 20 lakh crore as short-term credit through the Kisan Credit Cards (KCC). 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) are being constituted by spending Rs. 6,865 crore for the purpose of organizing and benefiting small farmers.

Union Minister Shri Tomar said that the Prime Minister’s emphasis is on Natural Farming, it is cow-based farming, for which the government is working in Mission mode, while many social workers are also working in this direction, so that there is a reduction in chemical farming, so that subsidy of about Rs. 2.5 lakh crore every year may be diverted to development works in the country. Work has also been done on Nano Urea and Nano DAP, the more we motivate the farmers in this direction, the more hygienic the production will be, which will lead to a healthy body and a healthy mind and the whole of India will become healthy. Shri Tomar said that on the initiative of Prime Minister Modi, 2023 has been declared by the United Nations as the International Year of Millets (Shree Anna), which is being celebrated with enthusiasm in the country and the world. The strength of our small farmers will increase through the cultivation of Shree Anna. A major international event on Shree Anna is scheduled to be held in Delhi on 18 March 2023 with the Prime Minister as the chief guest. Concerned about the small farmers from far-flung areas, Prime Minister Shri Modi is constantly taking steps for their uplift. When the demand for millets will increase in the country and the world, our small farmers will be benefited.

Dignitaries present during the Convocation included the Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University Chancellor Dr. Panjab Singh, Secretary DARE and Director General ICAR Dr. Himanshu Pathak. Vice Chancellor Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh, all Directors and founders, teachers and scientists, students, farmers and local public representatives also attended the ceremony.