Rudrapur: The two-day alumni conference at Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology was inaugurated by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, and Agriculture Minister Ganesh Joshi.
The conference focused on agricultural research, innovation, natural farming, startups, and the role of alumni in building a developed Uttarakhand.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan described Pantnagar University as a source of national pride that has produced distinguished scientists, policymakers, agricultural entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals. He said India currently produces nearly 377 million tonnes of food grains annually and has overtaken China to become the world’s leading rice producer, attributing much of this achievement to the university’s contributions.
He stressed that challenges such as climate change, declining groundwater levels, deteriorating soil health, and excessive use of chemical fertilizers can only be addressed through scientific research and innovation. He also appealed to citizens to plant at least one tree on their birthdays and participated in paddy transplantation with students after planting saplings on campus.
Chief Minister Dhami described Pantnagar University as the cradle of India’s Green Revolution and urged alumni to contribute actively in research, innovation, startups, digital agriculture, organic and natural farming, agricultural processing, and youth mentorship.
He noted that agriculture in Uttarakhand’s hill regions faces challenges including fragmented landholdings, crop damage caused by wild animals, migration, limited market access, and climate change. According to him, these issues require not only government support but also research, knowledge, and collective participation.
Agriculture Minister Ganesh Joshi requested that Pantnagar University be granted Heritage University status, noting that although agricultural land has declined since the formation of Uttarakhand, agricultural production has increased by nearly 300,000 tonnes.
