VC's Diary
Farm Buisness & Tourism Meet, 24.03.2025
Farm Business and Tourism Meet 2025 (University-Farmer-Corporate Convention)
Organised by Directorate of Extension Education
Venue: Convocation Hall, BCKV, Mohanpur
The Farm Business and Tourism Meet program at BCKV, Mohanpur, Nadia organised by Directorate of Extension Education was inaugurated with the lighting lamp by the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, BCKV and Director of ICAR-ATARI Kolkata as Chief Guest on 24.03.2025 at 11.30 AM to explore opportunities on Farm agri-business like Poultry farming, Fisheries, Value addition, Marketing chain management and Farm stay tourism in different agro-ecosystems of West Bengal. Farmers more than 228 nos (Male 198 and Female 30) of different KVKs and AICRPs from Howrah, Hoogly, Pubrba Medinipur, Jhargram and Nadia attended the one day workshop. In the interaction session, Cooperative farming, Start up formulation, Value addition, Marketing chain management and Farm stay opportunities are discussed with the active participation of interested farmers of the program. Master farmers (Male 10, Female 4) are encouraged with the ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ for their farming skill, innovative ideas and entrepreneurship in agri-business. Program ended with vote of thanks at 5.15 PM.
State level seminar on Spices during 23-24 March, 2025
Observed World Water Day, 22 March, 2025
State-Level Workshop on Aromatic Rice of WB, 19-20 March, 2025
A district level seminar on cashew was organized by the regional research station, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyala, Jhargram on 18th March, 2025
The programme was sponsored by the Directorate of Cashew & Cocoa Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation, Government of India, Kochi, Kerala. The Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of BCKV, Dr. Ashok Kumar Patra, Hon’ble Sabhadhipati, Smt. Chinmoyee Marandi, the Additional district magistrate, Mr. Gobinda Dutta, the subdivisional Officer, Mr. Subhrajyoti Gupta, Officers from state agriculture and horticulture department and head Jhargram Krishi Vigyan Kendra and 120 stakeholders including scientists, NGOs, farmers, processors, nurserymen, entrepreneurs etc. attended the programme and discussed about the status of cashew in the state as a whole and the district in particular, cashew based viable projects, solutions to increase the productivity of cashew in the district, varieties suitable for the district etc. One leaflet on cashew apple processing was released during the seminar. The nuts and grafted plants of different varieties of cashew cashew apple products, a small nut processing unit and tools for cashew apple processing was also displayed in an exhibition during the seminar. The Hon’ble Sabhadhipati expressed her willingness for popularizing cashew apple processing in the district. The additional district magistrate Mr. Gobinda Dutta told that the fallow lands of the region can be brought under cashew cultivation which can change the district’s economy. the subdivisional Officer, Jhargram Mr. Subhrajyoti Gupta, pointed out the necessity of cashew nut processing units in the district and value addition. The hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, BCKV in his presidential address pointed out the important role of RRS, BCKV, Jhargra in cashew research for the last 25 years and the important role of cashew in checking soil erosion which is otherwise an emerging threat. He also emphasized on bringing the vast area of waste lands in the Paschimanchal under cashew cultivation and making use of cashew apple which is available in large quantities during the season and otherwise wasted..
International Women's Day was celebrated at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya
Every year 8th March is globally celebrated as international Women's Day to explore ways to continue advancing women's empowerment, challenging biases, and promoting equality. This year International Women's Day was celebrated on 7th March, On the eve of International Women's Day at Bidhan Chandra krishi Viswavidyalaya. The program was organised by the lady faculties of the Viswavidyalaya with constant support of the Honourable Vice Chancellor, Dr. Asok Kumar Patra. He inaugurated the program with his thought - provoking address to the august gathering . Three distinguished personalities of the state from different spheres were felicitated in the program. We are proud to bring together women from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and professions to share their stories, inspire each other, and forge new connections. Eminent scientist and engineer, Mrs. Arpita datta, presently heading the IT cell of STQC, Govt. Of India is being felicitated in the program. A successful lady entrepreneur, Mrs Soma Chakraborty having a seed farm, working with IRRI, seeds are cultivated by tribal women in their crop fields at places like Bankura, Purulia, Jharkhand, and Odisha . These seeds are tested and further sold under the brand name of Maitree to the organization like - IRRI, ICARDA, NAFED and also directly at the market. BCKV honoured her in this special day. The Chief Guest of the Program was Dr Soma Das, presently the Regional Director, Eastern region, Forest Survey of India under ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change . In the second phase cultural program was performed by the lady teachers and girl students of the Viswavidyalaya. It was a day to celebrate the achievements of women and to renew our commitment towards gender equality.
Visit of Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of BCKV Dr. A. K. Patra at the Regional Research Station, BCKV, Kakdwip, South 24-Parganason 14th & 15th February, 2025.
The Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya visited our Regional Research Station, Kakdwip on 14th&15thFebruary,2025. After a brief introduction with the staff of the station, he visited experimental fields with the Scientists and gave valuable comments on the findings of the study. He also discussed on future research plan and shared his thoughts in this regard. The useful suggestion and valuable comments given by the Vice-Chancellor on the research programmes and others activities deserved praise worthy. Vice-Chancellor spent few hours with RAWE student (batch 2024-25) about their work experiencein coastal saline zone. Afterwards, he visited the different buildings constructed under RIDF-XX project and expressed serious concern about poor condition of existing Office-building. On seeing the precarious condition of the differentdilapidatedold buildings,he advised the In-Charge, RRS to take initiative to demolish these buildings immediately with consultation the works department of the Vishwavidyalaya. In-charge, RRSinformed the Vice-Chancellorabout the present condition of Farm Road, as it was not constructed under RIDF-XX project. He also explained the cause behind the pendingwork. In this regard, Hon’bleVice chancellor wanted to know the present condition of the project fund availability and instructed In-charge, RRS to submit a fresh proposal with all documents.
Inter year Volleyball tournament, 2025
On 02.03.25 evening Honble Vice Chancellor Sir presented trophy , medals & mementos to the winner (UG 3rd year) & Runners up team ( PG 2nd year) of Inter year Volleyball tournament. .Congratulations !
Howrah KVK_SAC 19th February, 2025 Meeting_Photographs
Visited the College of Agriculture at Burdwan and Susunia, Bankura on17–18 January 2025
Dr. Ashok K. Patra, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (BCKV), visited the College of Agriculture (CoA) at Burdwan on 17 January 2025 and the CoA at Susunia, Bankura, on 17–18 January 2025. During these visits, he conducted a detailed review of facilities, interacted with faculty, staff, and students, and provided valuable recommendations for future development.
Observations and Recommendations
1. Performance and Staff Dedication: Dr. Patra praised the excellent academic performance of both centres, highlighting their role in producing students who secure admissions to prestigious national institutions, earn Junior Research Fellowships, and secure jobs in agriculture and allied sectors. He commended the dedication of the faculty and staff in achieving these milestones despite resource constraints.
2. Human Resource Needs: He emphasized the critical need for recruiting additional faculty, technical, and support staff to strengthen teaching, research, and extension activities.
3. Infrastructure Development: • Construction of a dedicated girls’ hostel at both centres to accommodate increasing female enrolment. • Modernization of laboratories with advanced equipment for improved research and practical learning. • Upgradation of existing hostels to improve living conditions and the introduction of student counselling services. • Improvement of farm roads to facilitate smoother transportation and access.
4. Centre-Specific Observations: Burdwan Farm Development: Dr. Patra visited the farm facilities at the Burdwan centre and appreciated the ongoing efforts in field experimentation and crop production. * He emphasized the importance of adopting modern farming practices, including the use of precision agriculture tools, soil health management, and water-saving technologies, to enhance productivity. * Suggestions were made to develop the farm further as a model demonstration unit, showcasing advanced cultivation techniques and crop diversification to benefit students and local farmers.
Collaborative Projects: Dr. Patra encouraged the initiation of collaborative research projects with national and international institutions to address local agricultural challenges.
• He urged focusing on areas such as soil health improvement, sustainable crop production, climate-resilient agriculture, and integrated pest management.
• Establishing partnerships with nearby agricultural research organizations to enhance the centre’s research output and extension activities.
Susunia
* Dr. Patra visited the Chhatna campus under CoA, Susunia, which has approximately 10 hectares of fertile land and ponds. He emphasized the need for sustainable management of these resources for productive uses such as experimental research, crop demonstrations, aquaculture, and income generation.
* Interaction with Shri Subhashis Batabyal: At Susunia, Dr. Patra met Shri Subhashis Batabyal, Hon’ble Ex-MLA, who expressed his keen interest in supporting the development of the centre. This collaboration offers significant opportunities to advance the institution’s goals.
5. Future Initiatives: Dr. Patra expressed his interest in establishing a Centre for Excellence in Dryland Farming at Susunia to address regional agro-climatic challenges and provide support to farmers. Similarly, he suggested initiatives for research and extension tailored to the agro-ecological conditions of Burdwan. Strengthening farmer-scientist interactions, mobilizing external funding, and initiating extension programs were highlighted as critical steps for the sustained development of both centres.
Dr. Patra’s visit was highly impactful, inspiring students and motivating staff for future growth and development at both CoA centres. His recommendations aim to strengthen academic and research capacities, promote innovation, and enhance the institutions’ overall contribution to agricultural development in the region.
Farm-Visit of Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor, BCKV
On December 24, 2024, the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of BCKV visited the Mondouri Teaching Farm, which spans 208 acres. The farm cultivates horticultural and field crops and carries out various research activities. It also includes 25 acres of water bodies used for fish farming under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The Vice-Chancellor appreciated the well-maintained facilities, including fields, orchards, irrigation systems, a newly constructed building, a threshing floor, and paved roads. These developments have been achieved under the RKVY and Pulse Seed Hub Project.
He was pleased to know that 46 tons of high-quality paddy seeds were distributed to farmers at affordable prices this Rabi season. He suggested organizing more farmer training programs to share simple and effective farming techniques for better yields and incomes.
Finally, he encouraged teamwork, highlighting that collaborative efforts lead to greater success in achieving goals.
