Ensure people’s long-term food security: Guv

The 37th Convocation of the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) here was held on Friday. Governor and Chancellor of universities Dr SC Jamir inaugurated the ceremony in the presence DARE Secretary and Director General (ICAR) Dr Trilochan Mohapatra, Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Pradeep Maharathy and OUAT Vice-Chancellor Prof Surendranath Pasupalak.

Jamir said that by sending out another batch of students, the university reiterates its commitment to produce skilled and knowledgeable human resource in agriculture and allied subjects.

He said the prime target should be to ensure long-term food security for the population and build a profitable, sustainable and environment-friendly agriculture system.

Focussing on the dependency of agriculture on science and technology, he said all countries in the world continue their endeavours to take agriculture to a new level through research and innovation.

Dr Jamir said emphasis should be laid on research for development of agriculture; and the research has to be carried out taking the food demand of the people, 

scarcity of land, existing climate and environment into 

consideration.

He hoped the OUAT would further improve its reputation as a premier centre of learning of agriculture and allied sciences in the country. This depends on the quality of students produced and the quality of research, extension and development works 

performed by the faculty 

members.

Dr Trilochan Mohapatra appreciated the effort of the faculty members and appealed to the young minds to be part of Indian agriculture vis-a-vis farmers' welfare. He said the purpose of higher education is to imbibe traits of innovation, out of box as well as critical thinking. It would broaden the students’ vision and help develop a multidimensional perspective on life, he added.

Taking about the concept of “More Crop per Drop” and Soil Health Management, the utmost importance for nutritional security, Prof Mohapatra said actions should be taken for better on-farm management of water, piped conveyance and use of more efficient delivery mechanisms such as drip irrigation to tackle water shortage.

Minister Pradeep Maharathy and OUAT Vice-Chancellor Prof Surendranath Pasupalak also spoke on the occasion. MS Swaninathan Research Foundation’s founder Chairman Prof MS Swaninathan and eminent zoo veterinarian, Bhubaneswar, Dr LN Acharjyo were felicitated with the Honourary Doctorates for their lifetime contributions to agriculture and allied sciences.

In all, 752 graduates, 452 postgraduates and 14 PhD scholars were conferred with degrees. Besides, 113 gold medalist including Alena Patnaik, Ipsita Mishra and TKS Thathachari and three Chancellor’s Running Cup and three Vice-Chancellor’s Cup winners were also awarded.