Bhubaneswar, 08 October (H.S.): “Lead, innovate and create” should be the guiding objective for students in today’s rapidly changing world, said Subrat Kumar Pradhan, Director, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India, during an interaction with students of the Central University of Odisha (CUO), Koraput.

The interaction was presided over by CUO Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Ajit Kumar Shasany. Dean of Schools Prof. Narasingha Charan Panda, Head of the Department of Agriculture Dr. Manjushree Singh, faculty members and students were also present.

Highlighting the changing dimensions of agriculture, Pradhan said the sector is no longer confined to traditional farming but is closely linked with food, nutrition, healthcare, water, energy, environment, economy, technology and employment.

He said agriculture is increasingly being integrated with emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, robotics, data science, precision farming and biotechnology, opening up significant opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship and enterprise.

Pradhan urged students to identify specific challenges faced by farmers in the Koraput region and develop innovative, technology-driven solutions. He encouraged them to move beyond conceptual learning by testing their ideas in the field, evaluating their effectiveness and exploring their wider application wherever successful.

He particularly stressed the need to integrate modern scientific knowledge with traditional agricultural practices and identify ways to enhance farmers’ incomes across the undivided Koraput-Balangir-Kalahandi (KBK) region.

The students were also encouraged to develop innovative products using locally available crops and agricultural resources and establish enterprises that generate employment rather than merely seeking jobs. Pradhan highlighted the region’s rich indigenous agricultural resources and urged students to explore opportunities in product development, value addition, branding, marketing and promotion.

He said such initiatives could transform local resources into sustainable economic opportunities while addressing the needs of farmers and local communities.

Emphasising the importance of strong academic foundations, multidisciplinary learning and practical skills, Prof. (Dr.) Ajit Kumar Shasany encouraged students to explore emerging opportunities in startups and entrepreneurship. He urged them to apply their academic knowledge to address challenges faced by farmers, communities and society.

The interaction provided students an opportunity to share their views and engage in discussions on innovation, agriculture, entrepreneurship and th

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda