Agricultural training programs available to rural youth: Dr RC Aggarwal

Hyderabad: Deputy Director General (Education) of ICAR Dr RC Aggarwal has said that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) was moving ahead in a planned manner so that various training programmes related to agricultural education reach out to the rural youth. The 49th Foundation Day celebrations of the National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM) in Rajendranagar were held on Sunday.

Dr RC Aggarwal, who was the chief guest at the event, said that efforts were being made to impart education and training programmes related to agriculture and allied sectors to the rural youth. “Apart from imparting training, we are trying our best to encourage rural youth in the field of business. Agriculture training programmes for the youth will be implemented through state agricultural universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras,” he said.

Dr. A. Padmaraju, former Vice-Chancellor of Agriculture University, who was the guest of honour at the event, said there was a need to strengthen the diploma courses in agriculture. He said that Diploma courses in agriculture would pave the way for students to get job opportunities as well as self-employment.

“This will increase the revenue generation of the farmers. We need to move forward with positive thoughts. Naarm in Rajendranagar is the highest performer in the country in conducting research. Naarm's efforts in grooming scientists and officials in the field of agriculture are great,” he said .

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. C.H. Srinivas Rao, Director, NAARM, said that through NAARM, education, research, training and management programmes are being imparted and many young scientists were being groomed to support the agriculture sector. He said that the foundation course given to normal agricultural scientists would be of great help. “Through A-Idea, we are supporting 321 startups across India. We have signed MoUs with 56 ICAR institutes, including a private agricultural university. NAARM think tank has been recognised as a policy institute and will be at the forefront of guiding national agricultural allied institutions in the country,” he said

Four publications were released on the occasion of the Foundation Day. The chief guest awards were presented to the best innovative farmers, best start-up awards, best print media and best PG students. Awards were presented to the employees who performed well, in the technical category and in the administrative category. V Rama Subrahmanyam, Joint Director in charge of NAARM, presented the vandana and Vivek purwar, Zakir Kilji, employees, scientists and staff participated in the event.