National Agricultural Students Sammelan Organized

27 October 2025, New Delhi

Indian Council of Agricultural Research, under the aegis of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, organized a landmark event the National Agricultural Students Sammelan marking a historic engagement between the Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and the country’s agricultural education community, including students, scientists, and vice-chancellors from agricultural universities across India.

In his keynote address, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan described agriculture as the backbone of India’s economy, highlighting both the sector’s remarkable achievements and the challenges faced in agricultural education. He stressed that agriculture, which sustains the nation, deserves the same prestige as engineering and medicine. Calling for a shift from theoretical learning to practical, innovation-driven education, the Minister urged universities to provide greater field exposure and align curricula with farmers’ realities.

Shri Chouhan reiterated the Government’s commitment to enhancing farmers’ income, reducing input costs, and increasing value addition through education and innovation. He urged agricultural universities to foster excellence through a grading system that promotes healthy competition and accountability. Emphasizing the need to adopt global best practices, he suggested that each agricultural student should visit farmers’ fields annually to gain hands-on experience and develop solutions for real-world challenges.

Encouraging the youth to take a pledge to transform agriculture through knowledge and innovation, the Minister stated, “What we think, we become.” He called upon students to align their personal growth with the nation’s agricultural progress and envisioned India becoming the world’s food basket, contributing to global food and nutritional security. He concluded by affirming that agricultural education must empower students to change their own lives and through them, to transform the world.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Bhagirath Choudhary, Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, commended the energy, ideas, and determination of the students to contribute to the agricultural sector. He expressed confidence that their enthusiasm reflects a promising future for Indian agriculture, stating that the prosperity of farmers remains the true measure of national progress.

Welcoming the dignitaries, Dr. M.L. Jat, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR), extended warm festive greetings and expressed gratitude to the Minister for his presence. He stated that this was the first occasion where a Union Minister directly interacted with agricultural students, underscoring the Government’s commitment to connecting policy with youth aspirations. Dr. Jat emphasized that agriculture (Krishi) lies at the heart of the vision for a Viksit Bharat, with the young generation playing a decisive role in realizing this goal. He urged students to embrace innovation, new thinking, and national service through agriculture, describing it as not just a profession but a form of ‘seva’ service to the nation.

The session was concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. J.K. Jena, Deputy Director General (Education), ICAR. He reaffirmed ICAR’s commitment to advancing excellence in agricultural education and research.

The event was also attended by Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director, ICAR–IARI; Dr. Anupama Singh, Dean & Joint Director (Education), ICAR-IARI; along with several senior dignitaries from ICAR and the agricultural education sector.

The National Agricultural Students Sammelan marks a significant step towards integrating agricultural education, research, and policy with the aspirations of India’s youth strengthening the collective resolve to make India a global leader in agriculture and a true embodiment of Viksit Bharat.

(Source: ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi)