Banda, 16 Oct (HS): Uttar Pradesh Governor and Chancellor of

Banda Agricultural and Technological University, Anandiben Patel, stated that

the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhanya Yojana will give a new direction to

Bundelkhand's agricultural economy. This ambitious Rs. 24,000 crore scheme will

prove to be a milestone in increasing farmers' income and making the state

self-reliant. She said that through the collective efforts of the state's

agricultural universities and research institutes, it is possible to spark a

new agricultural revolution in Bundelkhand.

At the 11th convocation of the Banda

Agricultural and Technological University on Thursday, Governor Patel conferred

degrees to 350 undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students, including 350

female students. Congratulating the medal winners, she said that the increasing

participation of female students in agricultural education will ensure the

empowerment of rural women. The Governor said that the role of women in

agricultural work in Indian villages has always been important; hence their

active participation in agricultural education will bring positive change in

the society.

She urged students to adopt organic

farming on their farms and to educate farmers in villages about it. Describing

livestock as the soul of agriculture, she said the Institute of Veterinary and

Animal Sciences is strengthening the rural economy. The Governor praised the

work of the university's affiliated agricultural science centers and suggested

making them more effective in the interests of farmers.

Dr. Srinivas Rao, Director and Vice

Chancellor of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, the chief

guest of the ceremony, stated that the Bundelkhand region holds immense

agricultural potential. He added that the university's research on water

conservation techniques, drought-tolerant crops, and short-duration pulses and

oilseeds is proving extremely useful for drought-affected areas. He expressed

his pleasure at the university receiving an A grade from NAAC,

calling it the result of collective effort.

Presenting the university's annual

progress report, Vice-Chancellor Professor S.V.S. Raju stated that 57 new

research projects were initiated this year and 2,363 quintals of certified seed

were produced. The university's agricultural science centers trained

approximately 10,000 farmers through 358 training programs. He added that

large-scale tree plantations, yoga camps, and public awareness programs such as

Drug-Free India have been successfully organized on the university

campus. At the conclusion of the function, the Governor asked the students to

use their education to improve the lives of farmers and contribute to building

the state into a developed India.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi