Ranchi, September 11: Jharkhand agriculture minister Badal Patralekh praised the role of Birsa Agricultural University in changing the condition of farmers in the state.
Addressing a felicitation program at the Birsa Agricultural University (BAU) campus, Badal Patralekh said facilities are being provided under various schemes to make farmers self-reliant in the state.
“Along with agricultural machinery, seeds are being distributed to the farmers and they are linked with Kisan Credit Card. The government would extend full cooperation in technical development and technical transfer of the university and efforts will be made towards quality education and placement opportunities for the students,” said Patralekh.
The Minister also announced that steps are being taken in the direction of making Birsa Agricultural University a Central Agricultural University with the joint efforts of the pros and cons for protecting their interests and for agricultural development.
The minister further said that the agriculture department and university should make more and more Birsa farmers aware and enriched with agricultural technology at every level.
He also advised each Krishi Vigyan Kendras to make efforts to make 5000 farmers aware and self-reliant.
In the ceremony, 22 dependents of the deceased employees of the University were given appointment letters on compassionate grounds by the agriculture minister. He said that the process of recruitment is going on at the departmental level and the results of which will be seen soon.
“The average contribution of agriculture to the country’s GDP is 17 percent and the average contribution of agriculture to the state’s GDP is only 12 percent. The budget for agriculture is only seven percent in the Central government and five percent in the state,” said Patralekh.
On the occasion, Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth said that the proposal for granting the status of Central Agricultural University to BAU should be sent from the level of the state government and all possible efforts and cooperation should be given to the central government. He said that Jharkhand is very rich in agricultural matters, especially in vegetable production.
Agriculture Secretary Abu Bakr Siddiqui said the state saw the highest production last year. The state is the leader in the production of pulses. BAU has played a leading role in the state’s agricultural development. The university will have to pay special attention in the field of animal husbandry, fisheries, and forestry technology.