‘Backward Odisha needs central agri varsity & now’

NOTE: Every one should send this letter to establish Central Agriculture University, many intellectuals are favoring establishing such a University in Kalahandi, so people of Kalahandi must take it forward together. Earlier together with Prof. Baral we had written letters in this matter. Hope our leaders take this issue apolitically.

The Pioneer, Feb 17, 2012

Odisha is likely to miss a Central Agriculture University during the Twelfth Plan period, thanks to the callous approach of the State Government, educationists said.

While the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal is taking aggressive steps to grab a CAU, Odisha, which has a highly deserving case for such a university, seems to overlook the matter.

“As all of us know that agriculture is the mainstay of the State, locating a CAU in a backward region of the State is a much-needed requirement,” feels Prof. Chitta Baral of the Arizona State University of the US. Prof. Baral, a leading non-resident Odia, who has all along been batting for the State’s issues, has pointed out that as the 12th Plan is being given final shape, Odisha needs to root for a CAU in a backward region.

He said a big focus of the 11th Plan was on human resource development, especially in higher education. With the 11th Plan coming to an end in 2011-12 and some of the proposals such as 14 Innovation Universities and 20 new IIITs yet to be implemented, thrust needs to be given on new initiatives like a number of CAUs all over the country, he said.

The Odisha Government has to project its case in a suitable manner so that policymakers would include it in the plan proposal, said a former Agriculture Production Commissioner of the State. This would not only improve GRE but would not stress the Union HRD budget as funds would be made available from the Union Ministry of Agriculture, he added.

In his Budget speeches during the last two years, Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has all along stressed that, for the sake of inclusive growth in the agriculture sector, an allotment of `400 crore to seven States, including Odisha to improve the rice-based cropping system is too little.

However, upon the intervention of Rahul Gandhi, MP and general secretary of Congress, a provision of `30 crore for a CAU in  Bundelkhand has been made in the Budget of 2011-12.