Union agri minister urges scientists to develop compact machinery for farming, fertiliser testing tools

Time of India

17-07-2025

Patna: Union minister for agriculture and family welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday called upon agricultural scientists to develop advanced technologies, including portable fertiliser testing tools, in response to farmers' demands so that India could become a developed nation.
Speaking as the chief guest at the fourth convocation of Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU) at Pusa (Samastipur), Chouhan emphasised that since most Indian farmers operate on small landholdings, there is a greater need for compact, efficient machinery rather than large-scale equipment. He also called for research focused on extending the shelf life of perishable agricultural produce like litchi and tomato.
More than 850 scholars of the university received their degrees, and nearly 20 of them were awarded gold medals at the convocation. Union minister of state for agriculture and farmers welfare, Ram Nath Thakur, and the state's deputy chief minister and agriculture minister Vijay Kumar Sinha also attended the convocation.
Chouhan pointed out that under the leadership of the PM Modi, the country's food reserves are abundant.
"We are now exporting wheat, and there was a significant increase in rice production as well. The production of food grains reached such levels that additional storage facilities are being arranged in the country. This marks a record growth in agricultural output," he said.
The minister also emphasised the importance of promoting natural farming as a sustainable solution to safeguard the planet for future generations.
He called upon the degree recipients to adopt farming as their careers and implement their knowledge in ensuring the successful implementation of natural farming.
The convocation was held in accordance with the traditions of the age-old Mithila culture, as the guests were wearing Mithila paag (headgear) with Madhubani painting on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, state deputy chief minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said that Bihar launched a number of schemes to promote the production of millets, pulses, and oils.
RPCAU scholars engaged in research on these crops are being paid a monthly stipend of Rs 10,000, besides an annual contingency grant of Rs one lakh. Furthermore, the industries department has also set up an innovation and incubation centre on this campus, the minister said.
RPCAU's vice-chancellor P S Pandey, in his annual report, pointed out that in the last nine years after its central takeover; the university developed 23 new varieties of different crops and 27 new agricultural techniques.
It was also awarded 13 patents on its innovations, besides a GI tag on 'Marcha Dhan', a variety of paddy, during the period. The university introduced several new PG diploma and certificate courses, including AI, IoT, big data analytics, drone technology, and e-marketing, with a view to meeting the needs of modern agriculture, he added.
Kashvi Kajal and Parna Chatterji were awarded the visitor's gold medals for UG topper students across the colleges. The chancellor's gold medal for the overall PG topper was awarded to Aditi Banik and Amimsha Limboo Subba. The vice-chancellor's gold medal to PhD toppers was awarded to Debabrata Nath and Jeevitha.