The Prime Minister of Nepal, KP Sharma Oli said that considering the commendable work done by the GP Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT) for the modernisation in the agriculture sector and bringing agricultural revolution in India, it is his desire that Nepal and GBPUAT should work together. The Nepali Prime Minister was speaking at a special convocation function held at the university during which he was accorded an honourary degree (doctorate of science) by the state governor and chancellor of the university, Krishan Kant Paul.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Oli said that both India and Nepal are agrarian countries, while adding that two-third population in Nepal is involved in the agriculture sector but agriculture sector contributes just one-third towards the country’s economy. One of the major reasons for this is that Nepal had not been able to carry out modernisation and mechanisation in the field of agriculture. He said, “Two agriculture universities have been set up in Nepal but both are in their initial stage and to strengthen them, there is need for taking assistance from the Pantnagar university. Besides, there is also need to establish a rapport with India and Pantnagar varsity for research and faculty based exchange programmes,” added Oli.
He also said that the Government of Nepal and its people would join hands with the Indian populace in eliminating poverty and boosting prosperity of both the nations. He also lauded the seed production of the GBPUAT besides other achievements of the varsity.
In his presidential address on the occasion, Uttarakhand governor Krishan Kant Paul said that apart from historical, cultural and business aspects, there are many similarities between India and Nepal and people to people contact between the two countries is very old. He said that both the countries face similar sort of challenges and by working together, the two countries can achieve a lot for the betterment of the people and protection of environment and natural resources.
Talking about the achievements of the university in the field of agriculture, Paul also told the gathering about the development of the high yielding seed varieties and plantation material by university thereby establishing its “brand name” among the farming community.
While drawing parallels between the similar conditions in Nepal and Uttarakhand, the governor listed five points. Standardisation of the various crops, vegetables, flowers and seed production; assistance in the important areas of the agriculture, weather modeling, conservation and management of natural resources, water conservation, organic farming, protected and integrated farming, dairy farming, bee keeping; mutual exchange of the genotypes of the fruits; protection of valuable medicinal and mountain crops at different heights, their promotion and tapping; training in reproductive biotechnology in animal treatment and refresher syllabus for the skill enhancement of veterinarians were the main points listed by Paul. The Governor further said that he hoped that technical cooperation between Nepal and India would immensely help the agriculture sector of both the countries thereby ensuring a bright future for both.
Addressing the gathering, the U’khand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat said that Uttarakhand and Nepal had umbilical relations since both share food, culture and are bound by family relationships. He said that both the areas are also quite close physically and mentally.
He said that it was a coincidence that the famous university in Pantnagar is situated near Nepal and is working in similar geographical conditions as that of Nepal.
He said that GBPUAT and Nepal Government can work together in the fields of horticulture and herbal farming.
The Chief Minister also mentioned that Pantnagar University has been twice adjudged as the best university at the national level and thrice at the Uttarakhand level. He also stressed the need to improve communication facilities between U’khand and Nepal with the start of air services between Kathmandu and Dehradun. He hoped that such a service will help in the field of agriculture and other fields also.
Later, the university VC Professor AK Mishra proposed the vote of thanks. The State Agriculture minister Subodh Uniyal, MP Bhagat Singh Koshyari and senior officials from India and Nepal were also among those present on the occasion.
Earlier, the Nepali PM also visited the seed production centre and integrated farming model established in the university.