Bhubaneswar, Feb. 13: The Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology will collaborate with International Rice Research Institute from Philippines to work on an interdisciplinary approach to farming.
Apart from agricultural technologies, IT and space technologies will be used to improve productivity of farmers. "Incorporating technologies from various fields into agriculture will help to increase global food and farming production. We are working towards an active involvement with the scientists of the reputable institute to enhance productivity here," said Surendranath Pasupalak, vice-chancellor of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, at the 36th convocation ceremony of the varsity today.
Matthew K. Morell, director general and CEO of International Rice Research Institute, who was conferred the Honoris Causa by the varsity, said: "We have to make use of the revolution in the information technology to provide farmers with decision support tools, disease diagnostics, climate information and market and trade information."
Acknowledging the partnership with the agriculture varsity, Morell said: "The aim is to reduce the risk for farmers through access to better varieties along with crop insurance that will give them the confidence to invest and means to remain viable through the challenges that nature throws at us."
Apart from Morell, Honoris Causa was conferred on Trilochan Mohapatra, director general of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, and K.J. Ramesh, director general of the India Meteorological Department, New Delhi.
A total of 756 graduates, 418 postgraduates and 16 PhD scholars received their degrees today. The varsity also conferred 115 gold medals, three chancellor and vice-chancellor cup each along with cash prizes for excellence in extracurricular activities.
The varsity aims to promote a diversified farming system and doubling farmer income by 2022. "We want to enable farmers to diversify their crop options especially in the Rabi season. That apart, their involvement in other activities such as fishing and poultry will be encouraged as well," Pasupalak said.
The vice-chancellor also said that the varsity would work with the institute in three areas - material exchange, knowledge exchange and student exchange programmes.
The varsity has also introduced Experiential Learning Programme for students in the final semester, which will help them with business models.
It has also developed 15 new cultivars (a plant variety that has been produced in cultivation by selective breeding) of various crops, which will be released this year.
Governor S.C. Jamir and principal secretary of the state agriculture and farmers' empowerment department also shared their thoughts on the occasion and encouraged the students to continue working towards enhancing the production and productivity in farming sector.
