Address by the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee at the twenty ninth convocation of the G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology
Address by the President of India, Shri Pranab
Mukherjee at the twenty ninth convocation of the G.B. Pant University of
Agriculture and Technology
1. I
am happy to be here for the twenty-ninth convocation of Govind Ballabh Pant
University of Agriculture and Technology. At the outset, let me congratulate
all the students who have received degrees and have been awarded with medals
today. Your education has made you capable of entering a field which is at the
heart of our country’s socio-economy. I am confident you will deliver with
sincerity, industry and dedication.
2. Seventeenth
November also marks the Foundation Day of this reputed university. I compliment
all of you present here on this historic occasion. This institution, set up in
1960, is the first agricultural university to be established in India on the
land-grant pattern of agricultural universities in the US. I would like to pay
my homage to Pandit Gobind Ballabh Pant for his vision of creating a
world-class university for agricultural studies and research.
Ladies and
Gentlemen:
3. When
Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru dedicated this institution to the nation
55 years ago, the whole of India looked up to this new venture with
expectation. I am glad to say that this university has upheld that trust.
Recognized as the birthplace of the Green Revolution, this University for over
five decades has spearheaded agricultural education by introducing relevant and
much-needed educational reforms. It has made substantial contributions in the
area of agricultural research and technology development. Be it in the
development of quality seeds or producing proficient graduates, the performance
of this University has been outstanding.
4. Its
initiative of establishing the Tarai Seed Development Corporation - a success
story in public-private partnership – helped convert the Tarai region
into a ‘seed hub’. This illustrious institution has aligned itself fully with
the interests and aspirations of the farming community. Its farmer-friendly
approach in extension and its dynamic teaching and research programmes have won
this institute and its scientists many laurels, including the prestigious
Sardar Patel ICAR Outstanding Institution Award twice. The unique feature of
this University is the full integration of the students, the teachers and the
experimental farms, which has led to remarkable results. I hope the leadership
provided by the Vice Chancellor, Dr. Mangala Rai, a renowned agricultural
scientist, will take this Institution to further heights.
Friends and dear
students:
5. Agriculture
is the mainstay of our economy. More than 50 percent of our population relies
on this sector for earning a livelihood. Its healthy growth determines the
country’s food security. Agriculture has always received top priority in our
policy formulation because early in our planning process, we recognized that we
ourselves have to feed our growing population which today stands at 1.28
billion. Pandit Nehru had once observed and I quote: “everything else can
wait but not agriculture” (unquote). It was true then, it is true now.
6. Steps
taken by the Government in the Sixties - R&D programmes, procurement and
adoption of high yielding seed varieties and improved agricultural practices –
resulted in rapid expansion of food production. The green revolution arrived
ending the era of food imports. India is today a leading producer of rice and
wheat and one of the largest exporters of these food items. The achievements
would have been difficult without the support of our agricultural institutions
of higher learning, and the sweat and toil of our agricultural scientists and
farmers.
Ladies and
Gentlemen:
7. We
surmounted the challenge to food security then. But what about now, when we are
confronted with decreasing land availability for agriculture coupled with a
rising population? When deterioration in soil health and water quality is
reducing agriculture productivity and input use efficiency?
8. We
must work hard to preserve our natural resources to continuously receive four
vital services, which are:
(i) Provisioning
services such as food and fresh water;
(ii) Regulating
services such as climate and pest regulation;
(iii) Cultural
services such as educational and eco-tourism; and
(iv) Supporting
services such as soil formation and nutrient cycling
9. The
injudicious exploitation has already put the earth system at risk by leading to
climate change and bio-diversity loss. We need new approaches to manage these
risks. The climate is changing and is bound to change, but should it change so
fast? What would be the increased water, energy and nutrient requirements? What
strategy for mitigation and adaptation would be needed when more and more will
have to be produced with less and less?
Friends:
10. The
demand for rice in the world in 2030 would be 50 percent more as compared to
2004. And, it has to be produced with 30 percent less arable land as of today.
The scenario in our country is similar. In this context, boosting yields,
reducing harvest and post-harvest losses, and ensuring availability and access
would be the key challenges.
11. One
hundred forty million hectares of land is available for agriculture in our
country. Yet, biotic and abiotic pressures have created adverse production
conditions. About 120 million hectares of land is at various stages of
degradation. Imbalanced application of fertilizers, mostly nitrogenous,
has worsened crop productivity and also depreciated soil health. Adoption of
more sustainable land use systems and soil management practices has become
essential. Agriculture must return to its roots by rediscovering the
importance of healthy soil, drawing on natural sources of plant nutrition and
using fertilizers judiciously and effectively. It also calls for greater
investment in technology development and its on-farm adoption, deepening of
markets and remunerative prices to farmers.
12. Despite
the advancements made in the last few decades, the agriculture sector in India
is yet to be completely weather-resistant. After a record food grains production
of 265 million tonne in 2013-14, a year of normal monsoon, the production level
came down to 253 million tonne in 2014-15, when a 12 percent rainfall deficit
was registered.
13. Time
is ripe for new measures for sustainable intensification of agriculture. These
include irrigation and continuous seed and breed improvement. 70 percent of the
total water available is at present used in agriculture. This is likely to
decline in the future due to other pressing demands. Also, quality of surface
and ground water used for irrigation has gone down over time. Research is
needed to ascertain the dynamics of toxic elements in the soil-crop system and
to develop appropriate mechanisms for bio-remediation for safe use of water.
Steps to enhance water harvesting, water-use efficiency and conjunctive
use of water are absolutely necessary. These would result in net increase in
irrigation potential. Our policies must address water productivity in totality.
14. On-farm
burning of crop residues has intensified in recent years due to the use of
combines for harvesting and the high cost of labour in removing crop residues
by conventional methods. Bailing of residue after a harvest must form an
integral part of combine harvesting. Use of crop residues as soil organic
amendment in agriculture system is a good option. It will, therefore, be
beneficial to develop geo-referenced residues inventory in major crop
production systems across the country.
15. Insects,
pests and diseases significantly reduce the quality and quantum of agricultural
produce. Weather-dependent insects, pests and diseases can be modeled and
integrated in a sensor-based support system to provide vital, cost-effective
and timely information to farmers for taking on-farm decisions.
Friends:
16. The
dimensions of food security are many. The level of nutrition in food produce is
an important determinant of food sufficiency in the population. In the Global
Hunger Index 2015, which combines the three indicators of under-nourishment,
child under-weight and child mortality, India is ranked 80th out
of 104 countries. This is totally unacceptable. We have to improve the
nutritional status of our population in a time-bound manner.
17. The
microbial world is the largest unexplored reservoir of bio-diversity on earth.
The development of sustainable food value chains through selection,
diversifying diets, and leveraging relationships to improve household nutrition
practices can offer important pathways for millions of poor households in the
country. The forgotten nutrient-rich millets are potential researchable crops
that meet both market and nutritional objectives. Research and plantation of
bio-fortified plants and trees is yet another promising area for future
development.
18. Agricultural
institutions of learning must focus on growth and quality improvement.
Institutional tie-ups must be pursued to leverage expertise. Partnerships with
other agricultural institutions must be taken up for joint research. Linkages
with technical institutes must be established for improving agricultural
practices using IT solutions. Collaborations with the agro-industrial sector
must be forged for student internship, sensitization workshops, accessing
facilities for business incubators, and networking for potential entrepreneurs.
Ladies and
Gentlemen:
19. This
celebrated Institution has produced many outstanding scientists and
practitioners of the art and science of agriculture. You would do well to
nurture the connection with alumni through structured modes of interaction. The
alumni can be engaged to provide guidance in research and education, mentor
students through internships, and raise resources for development.
20. This
University has earned its reputation through years of hard work. It has the
potential to be amongst the front-ranking institutions in the world. If due
attention is paid to the ranking process, I am confident it will appear amongst
the top 200 universities in the world in the next couple of years.
Friends:
21. Agriculture
is the root of emergence, development and persistence of human civilization.
Agricultural universities must become the focal points of agricultural growth
and change. I wish this university success in great tasks that lie ahead in
years to come. To the scientists of this university, I give my best
wishes for further success in their endeavour to develop techniques for the
production of more food from less and less land. To the graduates of this year,
I would say that you are indeed a privileged lot who have had the opportunity
of obtaining your training at the Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture
and Technology. I am sure you are aware of your responsibilities as you step
out of the portals of this university. Equipped as you are with
scientific knowledge and skills, I am sure that you would make significant
contributions to eradicate hunger from our soil. I shall watch your progress
with great interest. I wish you all happiness and a sense of fulfilment in
life.
Thank you.
Jai Hind.
*************
Agricultural Universities must
become the focal points of agricultural growth and change, says President
The President of
India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee attended the 29th Convocation of Govind Ballabh
Pant University of Agriculture & Technology today (November 17, 2015).
The President said that Agricultural Universities must become the focal points of agricultural growth and change. Agricultural institutions of learning must focus on growth and quality improvement. Institutional tie-ups must be pursued to leverage expertise. Partnerships with other agricultural institutions must be taken up for joint research.
The President said that adoption of more sustainable land use systems and soil management practices has become essential. Agriculture must return to its roots by rediscovering the importance of healthy soil, drawing on natural sources of plant nutrition and using fertilizers judiciously and effectively. It also calls for greater investment in technology development and its on-farm adoption, deepening of markets and remunerative prices to farmers.
The President stated that in the Global Hunger Index 2015, which combines the three indicators of under-nourishment, child under-weight and child mortality, India is ranked 80th out of 104 countries. This is totally unacceptable. We have to improve the nutritional status of our population in a time-bound manner.
The President said time is ripe for new measures for sustainable intensification of agriculture. These include irrigation and continuous seed and breed improvement. Research needed to ascertain the dynamics of toxic elements in the soil-crop system and to develop appropriate mechanisms for bio-remediation for safe use of water. Steps to enhance water harvesting, water-use efficiency and conjunctive use of water are necessary. These would result in net increase in irrigation potential. Our policies must address water productivity in totality.
The President said that Agricultural Universities must become the focal points of agricultural growth and change. Agricultural institutions of learning must focus on growth and quality improvement. Institutional tie-ups must be pursued to leverage expertise. Partnerships with other agricultural institutions must be taken up for joint research.
The President said that adoption of more sustainable land use systems and soil management practices has become essential. Agriculture must return to its roots by rediscovering the importance of healthy soil, drawing on natural sources of plant nutrition and using fertilizers judiciously and effectively. It also calls for greater investment in technology development and its on-farm adoption, deepening of markets and remunerative prices to farmers.
The President stated that in the Global Hunger Index 2015, which combines the three indicators of under-nourishment, child under-weight and child mortality, India is ranked 80th out of 104 countries. This is totally unacceptable. We have to improve the nutritional status of our population in a time-bound manner.
The President said time is ripe for new measures for sustainable intensification of agriculture. These include irrigation and continuous seed and breed improvement. Research needed to ascertain the dynamics of toxic elements in the soil-crop system and to develop appropriate mechanisms for bio-remediation for safe use of water. Steps to enhance water harvesting, water-use efficiency and conjunctive use of water are necessary. These would result in net increase in irrigation potential. Our policies must address water productivity in totality.
**********
President of India to
Inaugurate the 500TH Year celebrations of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s advent in
Vrindavan tomorrow
The President of
India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee will visit Uttar Pradesh (Vrindavan, Mathura) tomorrow
(November 18, 2015) where he will inaugurate the 500th year celebrations of Sri
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s advent in Vrindavan. He will also visit the Shri Radha
Raman Temple
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