Today was the 59th Foundation Day of Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural University, Jabalpur, which was held online. The Chief Guest, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar, stated on the occasion that if Madhya Pradesh has emerged as one of the leading states in agriculture today, it is due to the role of Agricultural Universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
Tomar stated that the Jabalpur Agricultural University is known throughout the country as an Institute of Excellence, which is a source of pride for the state's agricultural workers. Since its inception in 1964, this university has made significant contributions to the advancement and improvement of the state's agricultural sector.
Madhya Pradesh has received the prestigious Krishi Karman Award in agriculture on multiple occasions, for which the state should be commended. Greeting all those associated with the University on its Foundation Day, Tomar stated that the opening of the Girls Hostel on this occasion marks a new milestone in the University's illustrious history.
In describing the importance of Indian agriculture, Tomar stated that even during the Covid crisis, when all other sectors had come to a halt around the world, all farming activities, including sowing and harvesting, were carried out in our fields, and with the bumper yield, the government set up more procurement centres and increased transportation, all while strictly adhering to the Covid protocol's two yards distance norm. Later, with the planting of next summer crops, record yields were achieved. Even in difficult times, the agriculture sector's GDP rate remained very positive, for which our farmers and agricultural scientists deserve credit.
Tomar stated that agricultural mechanisation should be increased and that more farmers should join the new 10,000 FPOs being established, for which the Central Government is spending Rs 6,865 crore. Small farmers who take advantage of mechanisation, use technology, shift to more profitable crops, and use government facilities such as processing will undoubtedly see higher returns on their produce.
According to Tomar, our challenge has multiplied in the age of climate change. Despite the availability of adequate resources, farmers must rely on nature. In this regard, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has provided farmers with a safety net in the form of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. During the last six years, farmers have received compensation totaling Rs. 1.22 lakh crore for crop losses. In light of the changing climate, research should be conducted to determine which methods farmers should use, which processes and crops are climate-tolerant, and which crops can sustain our production and productivity.
He stated that education is critical in the agricultural sector. The new National Education Policy has made an attempt to incorporate agricultural education.
Special guests included Madhya Pradesh Agriculture Minister Shri Kamal Patel and Dr. D.K. Yadav, Assistant Director General (Seeds), Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The function was presided over by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Bisen, Vice Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural University.
