Ranchi, Nov. 5: Ranchi Agricultural College, one of the first agricultural colleges set up in the country, today began its golden jubilee celebrations by forming its maiden alumni association.

Christened Alumni of Ranchi Agricultural College, A.K. Sarkar, the dean of agriculture, was elected its first president. Senior scientist Ramesh Kumar was elected as secretary while Violet Kerketta was elected treasurer. The office-bearers would hold office for one year.

Founded in 1955 under Ranchi University, the college was upgraded as a faculty of agriculture with the establishment of Birsa Agriculture University in 1981. Today, the college, along with Ranchi Veterinary College and College of Forestry, forms part of BAU.

Sarkar, who is overseeing the golden jubilee celebrations, said the college has been instrumental in developing several high-yielding crop varieties and improved farming techniques.

He told The Telegraph that till date, 1,700 students have passed out from the college with around 150 students obtaining PhD.

Highlighting the achievements of the college, Sarkar said the college has been instrumental in weather forecasting, sand pest control, developing soil maps and even promoting institution-village linkages for transfer of technology to the ground levels.

“During 2006-07, the Indian Council for Agricultural Research has sanctioned Rs 76 lakh for setting up of a centre of excellence in soil science department and another Rs 63 lakh for five units of experiential learning. Two state-of-the-art laboratories on plant clinic and leaf tissue analysis are being set up under the state horticulture mission. BAU vice-chancellor N.N. Singh has been instrumental in promoting agriculture research,” Sarkar added.

Notable among those who attended today’s alumni meet were M.A. Mohsin, former vice-chancellor of Ranchi University of the 1961 batch, Ranoj Dasgupta of the 1962 batch and chairman of the Sahara Group, Calcutta, among others.