Akola: Natural farming is no longer just an alternative, but the only sustainable and environment-friendly path for farmers in Vidarbha in the face of climate change, water scarcity, soil degradation and rising cultivation costs, said Dr KB Kathiria, vice-chancellor of Anand Agricultural University, Gujarat, on Thursday.Delivering an address at the 40th convocation ceremony of Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV), Akola, Dr Kathiria said Indian agriculture has evolved in close harmony with nature for centuries. He said farming systems based on soil health, biodiversity, low external inputs and ecological balance can ensure sustainable livelihoods for farmers, provide healthy food to consumers and strengthen the resilience of ecosystems.
A total of 2,936 students were awarded degrees in various disciplines at the ceremony, including 2,505 undergraduate, 383 postgraduate and 48 doctoral candidates. Among them, 1,770 undergraduate students, 314 postgraduates and 41 PhD scholars received their degrees in person, while the remaining graduates will be awarded degrees at their respective colleges.The ceremony also featured the presentation of gold and silver medals and special prizes to meritorious students, along with awards for outstanding teachers, researchers and staff members.Referring to the rain-dependent nature of farming in Vidarbha, Dr Kathiria said farmers’ incomes in the region remain vulnerable due to erratic rainfall and changing climate patterns. To address this, the university has implemented a four-point development programme in 11 adopted villages.The programme focuses on doubling crop productivity through modern technologies, reducing production costs by nearly 50%, promoting mechanization and micro-irrigation, and developing a complete value chain from production to market along with integrated farming systems.He said the initiative has helped achieve a 33% increase in farmers’ income over the past two years, and the adopted villages are now emerging as model examples of sustainable rural development.Highlighting the importance of food security and food processing reforms, Dr Kathiria said ensuring safe and nutritious food for India’s 1.4-billion population is both a moral obligation and a national priority. He pointed out that post-harvest losses, chemical residues, inadequate storage infrastructure and weak logistics continue to affect farmers’ income and pose risks to public health.He urged students and young professionals to use digital solutions, cold-chain systems, packaging innovations and modern processing technologies to upgrade local agricultural produce to global quality standards.Dr Kathiria noted that agriculture today is no longer confined to field operations alone. Emerging opportunities include agri-startups, precision farming, biological inputs, farm machinery, supply-chain management, food brands and agri-fintech services.He said artificial intelligence-based crop health monitoring can help in early detection of pests and diseases, minimize crop losses and significantly reduce the use of chemical pesticides.“AI is not a replacement for farmers, but a decision-support tool,” he said, adding when combined with traditional knowledge and sound public policy, technology can drive sustainable improvements in agriculture.Calling upon graduating students to respect farmers, conserve natural resources and uphold scientific thinking, ethics, compassion and courage, Dr Kathiria said India’s future — whether in research, industry or public service — will depend on the knowledge and wisdom of its youth.The convocation was presided over by PDKV vice-chancellor Dr Sharad Gadakh and attended by vice-chancellors of other state agricultural universities, members of the executive council, former vice-chancellors and senior university officials.
