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.
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.
