Agricultural Research Station, Navgaon, Alwar

N-E-W-S

*Inauguration of New Administrative and Academic Building at College of Agriculture, Alwar*

The new administrative and academic building of the College of Agriculture, Alwar under Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner, was inaugurated in a grand ceremony.
The event was attended by Shri Bhupender Ji Yadav, Hon’ble Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, as the Chief Guest. Dr. Balraj Singh, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, SKNAU, Jobner, presided over the program, while Shri Sukhwant Ji Singh, MLA, Ramgarh, District Collector Sh. Balveer chiller and Sh Sudhir Mann, State Head, IFFCO were present as Special Guests.

It is noteworthy that within just two and a half years, SKNAU Jobner has completed the construction of eight new agricultural colleges and one Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) on a mission mode, setting a new milestone in agricultural education. This will ensure quality education for students at the college level.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Sh. Bhupender Yadav highlighted the need to align agricultural education with changing climate conditions. He urged farmers to return to traditional practices, adopt less water-intensive crops, and reduce excessive use of chemical fertilizers, especially urea. He emphasized the role of artificial intelligence, robotics, and modern technologies in tackling challenges such as soil erosion, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, and declining food production.

Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Dr. Balraj Singh shared that SKNAU currently operates 15 agricultural colleges, 8 KVKs, one Agricultural Research Institute, two Research Centers, and four Sub-Centers. He also highlighted the development of climate-resilient and bio-fortified crop varieties, including the first bio-fortified groundnut with 30% protein content, released from Durgapura.

MLA Shri Sukhwant Singh noted that the establishment of this college would provide farmers with quality seeds and students with modern agricultural education. IFFCO State Head Shri Sudhir Mann spoke about the benefits of Nano Urea as a sustainable alternative to conventional fertilizers.

Dean of the College, Dr. Suman Khandelwal, expressed gratitude to all dignitaries and stakeholders, emphasizing that the new infrastructure will not only benefit students and farmers but also contribute to regional agricultural development.

The event witnessed the participation of over 2,500 students, farmers, and farm women, along with officials and dignitaries. A plantation drive of 2,100 saplings under the Rajasthan Government’s ‘Hariyalo Rajasthan’ initiative was also carried out.

Rooftop vegetable garden 🏡 at COH, Durgapura

सुवर्णरौप्यामाणिक्यवसनैरपि पुरिता: । तथापि प्रार्थयन्त्येव कृषकान भक्ततॄष्णया।। “कृषि पाराशर”

means “Even after having all the riches of the world, we are dependent on the farmers for food”. Envisioning the above lines late Sh. Rawal Narendra Singhji established College of Agriculture at Jobner even before independence. His vision to develop an agricultural research and education centre has taken a shape of a University in the year 2013 as Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University. It is a matter of honor and immense pleasure that destiny has given me an opportunity to lead this University.

SKNAU has contributed significantly by developing more than 60 high-yielding varieties of cereals, pulses, oilseed, seed spices. There are more than 16 AICRP centres operative in the University for development of better technologies for enhancing productivity and farm income. The educational set up is huge with 13 agriculture colleges, post graduate programme in 10 discipline has delivered human resources not only for NARS but for industries also.

The VISION to strengthen the existing setup needs a strong teamwork. Action is the magic word and win-win approach is the key for achieving milestone to bring the University among the countries leading Agricultural University. Linkages needs to be established with leading universities and academic institute of repute. Infrastructure development with respect to strengthening research and teaching is very important besides using the available resources for generating funds. The jurisdiction areas of the university having the urban areas like Jaipur, Alwar, Ajmer etc. have immense scope to focus on urban and peri-urban agriculture. High value crops and interventions on high-tech agriculture coupled with precision farming provides opportunity for upscaling farm income. Considering the drudgery of farm operations and labour cost farm mechanization especially the miniature mechanization has to be promoted taking into cognizance of the innovations in farm machinery. There is need for Promotion of organic and natural farming models in the peri-urban areas. To preserve the available germplasm by development of MTS is essentially required either at Jobner or RARI Durgapura. On-farm demonstrations of all the technologies developed by the university can act as a living museum to present significant achievements of the university simultaneously giving opportunity to stakeholders for technology assessment. Uniting farmers under the umbrella of FPO and SHGs for increasing SRR. Self-pollinated crops can be easily managed by farmers and regional needs can be met by making a network of FPOs under the guidance of the university. Recently farm pond concept has been adopted on large scale. Introduction of fisheries by collaborating with national/state bodies can be diversified option for farm income. There is urgent need to create bio-technology laboratory for UG and PG Students either at Jobner or RARI, Durgapura (Jaipur).

Farmers participatory research for cultivar and technology development should be promoted so that technology can be refined with respect to farmers need. Orientation of PG research towards technology/product development. Promoting faculties for generating competitive grant projects for collaborative research. Capacity building of UG and PG students can be taken way forward with having interactive sessions with industry. Promotion of vocational training for Students and preparing them for competitive exams can generate better employment for the youth. Focus will be on recruitment of best teaching and non-teaching staff at the earliest possible so that research and developmental activities get strengthened. Promotion of IT enabled office culture for personnel efficiency and speedy work disposal. The working environment needs to be very much cohesive, open ended scientific discussions has to be promoted and there is need to have a formal platform wherein PG Students and farmers are active members.
- Prof Balraj Singh, Vice Chancellor, SKNAU