New Delhi: The Indian Agricultural Economics Research Centre (IAERC) hosted the National Conference on Agricultural Education and Research Management in New Delhi on 25 September 2024. The event was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Hon’ble Bhagirath Choudhary, Minister of State for Agriculture, Government of India, who emphasised the urgent need for a well-defined policy aimed at the sustainable development of farmers.
Dinesh Kulkarni, All India Organisation Secretary of the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, highlighted that the lack of regular review of the policies of public-funded institutions such as universities and research centres has hindered their progress. In the closing session, Krishna Gopal, Joint General Secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), stressed the importance of decoupling agricultural product prices from inflation to make them more profitable for farmers.
The conference primarily focused on the challenges faced by agricultural education and research, as well as their potential solutions. Key issues discussed included the declining interest of students in pursuing agriculture as a career, the shortage of financial resources for universities and institutions, inadequate training for educators and researchers, challenges related to human resource management, and the lack of essential infrastructure for research and marketing.
Also present on the occasion were IAERC Chairman Pramod Chaudhary, Vice Chairman Advocate Vilas Sonawane, and Secretary A. A. Murkute. Vice Chairman S. K. Dubey welcomed all the guests and moderated the two main sessions of the conference – one on agricultural education and the other on agricultural research. The event provided a platform for key figures from across the country involved in agricultural education and research to engage in discussions and develop strategies to strengthen these sectors.
The conference saw participation from 15 Vice-Chancellors and 20 Directors from various universities. Senior officials, including B. S. Dwivedi, Member of the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), R. C. Agrawal, Deputy Director General (Education), U. S. Gautam, Deputy Director General (Extension), and S. K. Chaudhary, Deputy Director General (Natural Resource Management), were also in attendance.
