Farm Varsities Lose Relevance Rajiv K. Phull (Cover Story)Himachal has two universities- CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur and Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Nauni- that are supposed to benefit farmers and horticulturists of Himachal by uplifting their socio-economic status. These universities spend about Rs. 200 crore annually on different activities including teaching, research and extension activities. However, farmers and horticulturists far from satisfied with their performance as they still face various problems. The university officials however claim that farmers get benefit of the new researches that is a continuous process. The situation at both the farm universities is no different as the scientists’ claim that socio-economic condition of the farmers and horticulturists of the state has improved due to research activities undertaken by these institutions. It is difficult to evaluate latent participation of universities in both these fields, they add.CSK HPAU Yet to Make a MarkCSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur came into existence more than three decades ago but it is yet to make a mark up to the desired level. The farm varsity has the mandate of teaching, research and extension activities but it has not come up to the mark as far as research and extension activities are concerned thus forcing the masses to question its relevance. However it has been releasing different crop varieties from time to time. Most of the farmers in lower areas of the state are still adhering to the traditional cropping system of wheat and rice with exception of few progressive farmers in Kangra district who have diversified to vegetable production on their own to some extent. The university has also failed to utilise even the total land available to it as 33% of the area still remains unutilised ever since it came into existence. Knowledgeable sources reveal that valuable chunk of land has been converted into marginalized land that hardly generates resources for the university or for the benefit of farmers. The university has 503 hectare land at its main campus in Palampur and 190 hectare at its outstations. The university is reportedly seeking Rs. 82 Crore as annual budget because its financial liabilities are increasing. It owes an arrear of Rs. 36 crore to its pensioners. Almost 80 employees are retiring every year from the university that has negligible recruitment. The university has not paid pension for the month of August to its pensioners as yet..New Vice-Chancellor Brings HopeThe newly appointed 11th regular Vice-Chancellor of the university Dr. Krishan Kumar Katoch is enthusiastically working to revamp the working of the university to improve its image among the farming community. Dr. Katoch has already listed his priorities in his address to the university faculty. When asked about the relevance of state agricultural universities, the Vice-Chancellor said that the active participation of the university can be judged by number of students and human resources produced. However, latent participation in uplifting agriculture is difficult to evaluate as it would depend upon the performance of different agencies down the line with regard to training of farmers and seed production by agriculture department, he adds.
Posted on: Thu, 12 Sep 2013 08:44:55 +0000
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