Bhagalpur, Feb. 6: Governor Ram Nath Kovind, also the chancellor of universities in Bihar, today stressed the need of Bihar Agriculture University (BAU), Sabour, to focus on agriculture-related livelihood opportunities to make the state more prosperous.
He urged agro experts to work properly towards transferring modern agriculture technology to the masses for better results in agriculture.
Kovind was addressing an impressive gathering of students, teachers and varsity officials on the BAU campus this afternoon during its second convocation ceremony.
The chancellor added that the newly launched programme, Farmers First, would be more effective to give agriculture the topmost priority.
Appreciating the varsity's contribution towards conducting multifarious activities in agriculture and related affairs, Kovind said during his 20-minute speech: "BAU will help Bihar usher in another green revolution. The state's agriculture roadmap, along with the effectiveness of the varsity, will certainly change the fate of Bihar. BAU's achievements in the past six years are highly appreciable."
A total of 304 students of the 2013-2015 batch got medals and certificates from Kovind. Eleven students from various faculties received gold medals for their excellent performance in the examination, while two PhD holders were honoured with gold medals.
Special guest Panjab Singh, the chancellor of Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agriculture University, Jhansi, and the former director of Indian Council of Agriculture Research, said: "After bifurcation of Bihar, the state has no option but to depend on agriculture."
Giving references, Singh said: "Bihar has to face tough challenges in economic development, mainly owing to spurt in population and lack of agricultural land per head in the state. The 2011-12 Planning Commission stated that 33.7 per cent population in the state lived below the poverty line, while 90 per cent stayed in rural areas. If proper attention is not paid on agriculture, the problem would aggravate."
Touching upon BAU's salient features, its vice-chancellor, Ajay Kumar Singh, in his welcome address, said: "Students, teachers, scientists and workers in the varsity are dedicated towards the overall development of agriculture and related work to make Bihar more prosperous and economically sound."
