Blend traditional farming with research to boost yield: Guv

Amravati: When farmers of the country become ‘atmanirbhar’ (self-reliant), the country would automatically become atmanirbhar, said Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari after inaugurating the new administrative building of Shri Shivaji Agriculture College here on Wednesday.

Praising the wisdom and vision of Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh, who was minister of agriculture in the first cabinet of Jawaharlal Nehru, and founder of Shri Shivaji Education Society, which runs the college, Koshyari said leaders of that era were committed to the cause of the country, while the present day netas bring tears to his eyes as politics only means power and chair for them.

Stating that all governments are taking steps for the welfare of farmers, the governor urged them to do traditional farming and blend it with research that takes place in agriculture colleges to boost yield.

In his introductory remarks, Shivaji Society president Harshwardhan Deshmukh demanded agriculture college at Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh’s birthplace Papal village in Nandgaon Khandeshwar tehsil in Amravati district and Bharat Ratna be conferred on Dr Deshmukh.

Mayor Chetan Gawande, MLA Sulabha Khodke and MP Navneet Rana also spoke on the occasion.

Prof Kishor Fule conducted the proceedings, while Tulip Ingole proposed a vote of thanks.