‘UAS Raichur has made significant contribution to ensure nutritional security in KK region'
Delivering the convocation address at the 14th annual convocation of the university in Raichur on Monday, Prof. Mittal said that the university has been promoting viable technologies and extension strategies in increasing farmer productivity.
'The establishment of a Ragi Value Chain Park, with financial assistance of ₹25 crore from NABARD and the State government, is under progress,' she said.
Prof. Mittal said that UAS Raichur is in the forefront in teaching agriculture and agriculture engineering technologies and also in the research sector for crop development and crop protection.
'UAS has made a practical effort to develop various varieties of paddy such as Nam-88, GRG-811, GRG-152 and TS3R. The university has played a key role in many achievements. Its contribution to Kalaburagi's tur dal getting a geographical indication (GI) tag from the Central government is immense,' she said.
'The university has developed rice varieties like Gangavathi Sona and GVK 1089. These varieties have had a major impact on about 5 lakh hectares covering major irrigated areas. The biofortified rice variety GNV-1906 developed by this university has been widely recognised across the country,' she said.
Presiding over the convocation, Governor and Chancellor of the university Thaawarchand Gehlot said that agriculture graduates play a decisive role in making India a global centre for food and agriculture products and also technology, innovation and ethicality.
'The agriculture sector has contributed to the nation becoming the fourth largest economy in the world, as agriculture-based start-ups create revaluation in India's economic growth,' he said and appealed to the younger generation to make India a developed country by using Start-up India, Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat schemes.
The Governor emphasised the need for encouraging new alternatives to meet the present agricultural demands.
'The concept of smart agriculture is now taking shape. This is being made possible by the participation of youth. More work needs to be done on vertical farming techniques to produce higher yields on less land,' Mr. Gehlot said.
Earlier, Vice-Chancellor of UAS Raichur M. Hanumanthappa presented a report on the achievements of the university in various sectors.
Agriculture Minister N. Chaluvarayaswamy and deans of various streams were present.
Honorary doctorate
Progressive farmer from Koppal district Devendrappa Ballutagi was conferred honorary doctoral degree during the convocation in recognition of his achievement in agriculture and allied fields.
In all, 352 graduates, 136 post-graduates and 39 doctoral degrees were awarded during the convocation.
Graduate toppers were honoured with 27 gold medals and two cash prizes, post-graduate toppers bagged 17 gold medals and Ph.D scholars obtained 15 gold medals.
Gold medals
Agricultural engineering student Puttaraj Police Patil and Sagar (B.Sc) bagged six gold medals each, while Gayatri (B.Sc) bagged four gold medals.
Lal Saab Nadaf, Shivaraj Sajjan, Ajjayya, Megha Sajjan, Prasanna, Ambika, Ashif Jabeen and Mallesh, all B.Sc students, have each bagged one gold medal.
Anof Mery, Felix, Wilson Brawny, Harshini, Arpitha, Pragathi, Shilpa, Amudula Sevanthika, Androose Benny, Basavaraj, Kushalgouda, Abhilash Bharatesh, Anil, Soujanya, Vidyasagar and Akkishetty Vaishnavi, all post-graduate students, won one gold medal each.
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