
On Wednesday, Dr. U.S. Gautam, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension) at ICAR, and Dr. N. V. inaugurated a two-day national workshop on climate change and youth involvement in agriculture at the BAMETI Auditorium in Patna. The event was organized by ICAR-ATARI Patna Zone and brought together over 100 agricultural scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) across the country to discuss sustainable agricultural strategies.
The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. U.S. Gautam, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension) at ICAR, and Dr. N. Vijayalakshmi, Additional Chief Secretary of Bihar’s Animal and Fisheries Resources Department.
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Speaking at the event Dr. Gautam emphasized the necessity of involving rural youth in agriculture to solve concerns such as urban migration and climate change. He mentioned the ARYA (Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture) initiative, which was started in 2016 to help rural youth develop sustainable livelihoods in their communities. “With 52% of India’s population being rural youth, efforts like ARYA are critical for connecting them with agriculture and related sectors. “This project not only generates income but also reduces the need for urban migration,” he explained.
He also spoke about the need for multi-layered income strategies for farmers, integrating agriculture with activities like animal husbandry, fisheries, and poultry. Dr. Gautam revealed plans to address staff shortages in KVKs and enhance their role under a new policy framework, stating, “Agriculture Science Centres are central to achieving the vision of a developed India.”
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Dr. Vijayalakshmi emphasized the role of KVKs in improving agricultural practices and highlighted the potential of Bihar’s dairy sector. She noted that while COMFED has developed the capacity to process 50 lakh litres of milk daily, the state’s overall production stands at an impressive 125 lakh metric tons annually. She called for greater focus on agripreneurship to attract young people to agriculture and allied fields.
The workshop also featured discussions on addressing climate challenges and increasing farmers’ incomes through innovation and support from KVKs. Dr. Anjani Kumar, Director of ICAR-ATARI Patna, welcomed participants, while agricultural expert Rakeshh K Kashyap moderated the event. The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Keshav, Principal Scientist at ICAR, New Delhi.
Key officials present included Dr. R.K. Singh, Assistant Director General of ICAR-Agricultural Extension, Dr. Anup Das, Director of ICAR Patna, and Dr. Monobrullah, Principal Scientist of ICAR-ATARI, along with other experts and scientists.