Hon’ble President of India Inaugurated New Building of KVK, Malegaon and Exhibition

19th January, 2014, Baramati

Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Hon'ble President of India inaugurated new building and facilities of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Malegaon and technology exhibition here today. While addressing the audience on the occasion, Shri Mukherjee emphasized upon the importance of modern technologies in agriculture and said the future lay in technology driven agricultural growth.

President of India called upon the network of agricultural research, education and extension institutions to develop and implement newer technologies for more farm development. Technology led growth in horticulture, livestock, dairy, and fisheries sectors would usher in a rainbow revolution in agriculture, he added. While referring the National Food Security Act-2013, he said the rollout and successful implementation of the world's largest social sector programme will depend on the success of our agriculture sector. He also visited and appreciated new facilities such as Soil testing and Bio-fertilizer production units, Green House and Automation Centre.

Shri Prithviraj Chavan, Chief Minister of Maharashtra presided over the function and lauded the efforts of agricultural scientists to make country self sufficient in food production. He appreciated important role of KVKs in dissemination of new technologies at ground level. However, fragmentation of agricultural fields and adverse effect of frequent changes in the climate are problems that need to be addressed at the earliest, he added. Shri Chavan released publications and the first copies were presented to the President of India.

Shri Sharad Pawar, Union Minister of Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, highlighted the contribution of KVKs in rural transformation and said these centres are bringing about major changes in the lives of people. He appreciated KVKs for acting as district level knowledge and resource centres across the country.

Dr. Charan Das Mahant, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries; Shri Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra; Shri Harshvardhan Patil, Minister for Co-operation and Parliamentary Affairs, Maharashtra Government; Shri Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Agriculture Minister of Maharashtra; and Smt. Supriya Sule, Member of Parliament also graced the occasion.

Earlier, Dr. K.D. Kokate, Deputy Director General, Agricultural Extension, ICAR welcomed the President and dignitaries.

Dr. S. Ayyappan, Secretary, DARE and DG, ICAR; Shri Arvind Kaushal, Additional Secretary, DARE and Secretary, ICAR; Deputy Directors General; Directors of ICAR institutes; and other senior officials of the ICAR and State Government were present on the occasion.

Shri Rajendra Pawar, Chairman, Agricultural Development Trust (host organization of KVK, Malegaon) proposed the vote of thanks.

(Source: NAIP Mass Media Project, DKMA)