Virtual Classroom & Agri-Diksha Web Education Channel inaugurated

Using Technology judicially and wisely is important: Shri Tomar

16th April, 2021, New Delhi

Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare virtually inaugurated the “Virtual Classroom” & “Agri-Diksha Web Education Channel” here today. The Union Minister also released the “Exploration Centre & Drone Remote Sensing Laboratory” and “Manual on Drone Remote Sensing” during the occasion. Shri Tomar applauded the efforts of all the scientists of the Council. The Union Minister stressed on the quality research and advanced agricultural education that can make agriculture a medium of employment generation.

  Shri Tomar also lauded the responsible efforts by the academicians and scientists of the Pusa Institute along with Krishi Vigyan Kendra, State Agricultural Universities and Education Division of the Council. He stressed on the pivotal role played by the various digital platforms to implement the various Central Government Schemes at the ground level effectively. The Union Minister stated that the digital platforms help to connect with a wide array of people at a given time. He also emphasized that the two programmes will be a milestone in uplifting the livelihood standards of the agri-students and farmers to a large extent.

Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare stated that the new technological venture by the Council in the arena of agricultural researches and education is commendable. The Minister regarded the conduct of virtual meetings as a perfect way to contain the spread of COVID-19 Pandemic. Shri Rupala also urged that besides using the ICAR Apps for research purposes, the same should also be utilized to enhance the livelihood.

Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) regarded the Digital India initiative as a revolution towards agricultural education and quality research. Mentioning about the features of the new Virtual Classroom & Agri-Diksha Web Education Channel along with the Drone Remote Sensing Laboratory, the DG stressed that the initiatives will prove helpful in revolutionizing the quality of research, agricultural education and farmers’ lives.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Shri Sanjay Kumar Singh, Additional Secretary (DARE) & Secretary (ICAR) highlighted the features and activities of the NAHEP and the New Education Policy. He also underlined the positive effects of the scheme on the students.

Outlining about the Krishi-Megh Scheme of the National Agricultural Higher Education Project, Dr. R.C. Agrawal, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Education), ICAR apprised the dignitaries about the various features of the new Virtual Classroom & Agri-Diksha Web Education Channel. He stated the facilities will be provided under the Krishi-Megh Platform only. The DDG emphasized that the scheme will be beneficial for the students.

Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh, Director, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi accentuated on the establishment of Exploration Centre under the World Bank funded NAHEP for making the availability of advanced technologies namely - biotechnology, Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, big data, etc., under one roof.

Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Director, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi proposed the vote of thanks.

(Source: ICAR-Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture, New Delhi)