ICAR- Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Patna organised a 2-day 22nd-23rd February 2024, National Workshop of the ARYA project today at Bodhgaya, Bihar.
Dr. U. S. Gautam, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension)ICAR, highlighted the need for employment and income generation for rural youth. He also cited low profitability, drudgery of farm operations, poor quality of life, and shrinking land holdings as reasons for youth’s lack of interest in agriculture. Dr. Gautam emphasized the importance of ecological balances and suggested that reducing youth migration from rural to urban areas could be achieved by providing sufficient employment opportunities in villages.
Dr. K. D. Kokate, former Deputy Director General, ICAR, emphasised linking ARYA project participants with government schemes and promoting them at national and international levels, focusing on creating agri-tech startups related to agriculture.
Dr. M. M. Adhikari, former Vice Chancellor, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, briefed about the overall development of the progressive farmer entrepreneurs through ARYA Project, highlighting their improved work and income.
Dr. R R Burman, Assistant Director General, (Agricultural Extension), ICAR, said that the project was initiated in 2015-16 to promote rural youth’s interest in agriculture. Through Krishi Vigyan Kendra, the Council identified 10 major agriculture-related enterprises and found high interest and income in small businesses such as goat rearing, poultry farming, nursery production, beekeeping, and mushroom production.
Dr. Anjani Kumar, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Patna, highlighted the outline of the Arya project and the importance and objectives of the national workshop.
During the program, 12 progressive entrepreneurs from Bihar and Jharkhand were also awarded with Krishak Protsahan Puraskar. The annual report of the Arya project and the newsletter of Krishi Vigyan Kendras were also released during the event.
The Directors, Vice-Chancellors of various Agricultural Institutes, and Heads of 100 KVKs across the country participated in the programme.
(Source: ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute Patna (Zone- IV), Patna)
Original link: https://icar.org.in/national-workshop-arya-project
