CURATED BY – RAJIV KHARE | CITYCHIEFNEWS

Raipur, Agriculture Development and Farmers Welfare Minister Ramvichar Netam said that science, technology and agricultural scientists have an important role in making hardworking farmers capable. As a result of this, today farmers are becoming self-reliant by using advanced agricultural technology. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, our government is continuously working for the progress and prosperity of farmers. Our government has increased the respect of farmers by providing them a fair price for paddy as compared to other states of the country. Minister Mr. Netam said these things while addressing the 39th Foundation Day celebrations of Indira Gandhi Agricultural University today. On this occasion, Minister Ramvichar Netam was honored with the Life Time Achievement Award by the University for his outstanding contribution in the implementation of farmer-friendly policies of the state government. Also, Vice Chancellor Dr. Girish Chandel, farmer Narayan Bhai Chavda, teacher B.R. Chandravashi and Dr. M.N. Srivastava were also honoured with the Life Time Achievement Award. On this occasion, the Agriculture Minister inaugurated the three-day international conference organized on the topic of "Global Research Initiative for Agriculture, Science and Technology". Addressing the international conference, the Agriculture Minister said that agricultural scientists and researchers need to think about how to make the farmers of the country including the state more capable in the field of agriculture and horticulture. Our government has taken many decisions in the interest of farmers to make the farmers capable. Our government is providing the highest price in the country to the farmers by purchasing paddy from the farmers at the rate of 21 quintals per acre and 31 hundred rupees per quintal. At the same time, as per the promises made to the farmers, bonus amount of about 3800 crore rupees has also been provided. Due to this, the farmers of the state have become economically prosperous. The Agriculture Minister said that Jammu and Kashmir has its own identity for saffron, walnut and other identified crops. This identity has been created by the hard work of the hardworking farmers there. How the farmers there are doing advanced agriculture by forming cooperative sector and joining agro. We will also get to know and understand about this in the workshop. He congratulated and wished Indira Krishi Vishwavidyalaya for its 39th foundation day and workshop. The workshop was also addressed by Dr. Girish Chandel, Vice Chancellor of Indira Gandhi Agricultural University. The workshop was organized under the joint aegis of Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur and National Agricultural Development Cooperative Limited, Baramulla (Jammu-Kashmir). More than 400 agricultural scientists and researchers from 21 states across the country are participating in this international conference. In the conference, ways will be found to improve the continuous deficiencies in the field of land, water and environment by brainstorming on the opportunities and challenges existing in the field of land, water and environment in the global scenario by making better use of resources. Research papers and posters were presented by scientists and researchers on related subjects in the conference. It is worth mentioning that Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur was established on 20 January 1987. This university has been given the responsibility of agricultural education, research and extension in Chhattisgarh state, which the university is operating through its 28 agricultural colleges, 4 agricultural engineering colleges, 1 food technology college, 08 research centers and 27 agricultural science centers. At present, about 9000 students are studying in various courses of the university, out of which 2763 students are studying in undergraduate courses, 500 in postgraduate courses and 115 students are studying in research courses (Ph.D.). After the establishment of the university, about 162 species of 52 crops have been developed and more than 100 techniques have been developed to get maximum benefit from agriculture.