Bhubaneswar, Aug. 24: The state government will shortly set up a second agricultural university.

Agriculture minister Pradeep Maharathy made this announcement during the 55th foundation day celebrations of the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) today.

"The details will be announced soon," he said without revealing more details.

Maharathy emphasised on yield enhancement of various crops by extensive use of technologies developed by the research stations under the university and urged farmers to avail the opportunity of various government programmes and technologies that are readily available.

Addressing the ceremony, governor S.C. Jamir urged scientists and professors to develop new technology to enhance agricultural production and profits by utilising the limited resources available with the farmers.

"Despite phenomenal growth in production, we are now confronted with the more complex challenges of food insecurity, declining productivity, depletion of natural resources, increased risk from climate change, ecological and environmental imbalance. We have to intensify our efforts to help farmers produce more food and other commodities with a lower production cost. We have to save water and energy, improve soil fertility and decrease the use of synthetic fertilisers," said Jamir.

Jamir lauded the initiative taken by the university to boost pulse production in the state by forming pulse hubs and congratulated the students for achieving academic excellence at the national level.

The vice-chancellor of the varsity, S. Pasupalak, said the university had contributed to the development of new crop varieties, technologies in farming system, preparation of global positioning system (GPS) and geographical information system (GIS) based soil fertility maps and various technologies in pisciculture and animal science.

"The research programme has become farmer centric by developing an action plan based on the problems faced by farmers. There is an initiative to enhance their income through Krishi Vigyan Kendras by preparing various modules," said Pasupalak.

About 100 farmers from various districts took part in the programme and many of them were felicitated for their contribution to the field of agriculture.

A special exhibition was also organised on the campus that showcased the achievements of the university.

An interaction programme was organised between farmers and scientists where the land tillers got the opportunity to discuss their problems.