Bundelkhand’s soil can become the centre of a pulses revolution: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday said Bundelkhand has the potential to emerge as the centre of a pulses revolution, as he addressed the third convocation ceremony of Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University in Jhansi.
The Minister, who attended the ceremony as Chief Guest, conferred degrees on 365 students and awarded gold medals to 15 meritorious scholars. The programme began with the singing of Vande Mataram, and Chouhan was accorded a Guard of Honour by NCC cadets. He also planted a sapling on the campus and inaugurated several new facilities, including the Krishi Vigyan Mandap.
Addressing the graduates, he said, “A convocation ceremony is not the end of life, but the beginning of a new chapter of nation-building.” Referring to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said India is gaining global respect and the youth must contribute to the nation’s progress through their knowledge, skills and values.
Highlighting India’s food security achievements, Chouhan said the country is no longer dependent on imports for food grains, crediting agricultural scientists and hardworking farmers. Stressing the concept of a ‘Nutritious India’, he said quality and nutrition must complement production growth.
The Minister noted that the government is making fertiliser subsidies more transparent through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), with 8.5 crore Farmer IDs already created and a target of 12 crore. Through the Bharat Extension Platform, farmers are receiving comprehensive crop-related information directly on their mobile phones.
Emphasising the region’s agricultural potential, he said Bundelkhand’s soil could lead a new pulses revolution. He reiterated that India’s ambition to become a global ‘Food Basket’ would be realised only when scientific knowledge effectively reaches farmers’ fields from laboratories. He also shared his personal commitment to environmental conservation, stating that he plants one sapling daily and urging others to plant at least one tree on their birthdays.
Guest of Honour Dr. M.L. Jat, Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Secretary, DARE, described the university as an institution of national importance setting new benchmarks. He said Jhansi, historically known as a land of revolution, could now become the cradle of a new agricultural revolution in oilseeds and pulses.
Jat highlighted the importance of innovation, intellectual property and climate-resilient research, urging scientists to ensure that research benefits reach the last farmer. He encouraged students to view agriculture as a field ripe with entrepreneurial and start-up opportunities, contributing to the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh presented a report on the university’s progress, noting its growth from five students in 2014 to 1,100 students today, with the highest enrolment of girl students. He said the university has evolved into a centre for farmer training, technical advisory services and innovation.
The institution has established facilities including a polyhouse, high-tech nursery, integrated farming system model, demonstration fields for durum wheat, mustard and gram, and a crop cafeteria. New colleges of Fisheries and Veterinary and Animal Sciences have been launched in Datia, while a College of Horticulture in Morena is set to commence soon.
Degrees were awarded to 235 undergraduate, 127 postgraduate and 3 Ph.D. students, with gold medals presented to outstanding achievers across disciplines.
The Minister also interacted with farmers during a Kisan Chaupal organised on campus and visited demonstration plots of mustard and gram cultivation, reinforcing the importance of bridging research and field-level application in agriculture.
