Birsa Agriculture University (BAU) Vice Chancellor (VC), Dr Omkar Nath Singh said that the inclusion of Agri-Informatics and Agri-Electronics in the agriculture sector with the joint collaboration of C-DAC, Kolkata and BAU, Ranchi as a revolutionary step.

Singh said this on Monday while presiding over the training cum workshop on FPO Mediator IT Intervention at BAU. He appreciated the team spirit and efforts of C-DAC, Kolkata and BAU scientists in the field of information technology.

Speaking as Chief Guest Senior Director, C-DAC, Kolkata, Aditya Kumar Sinha said that the role of technology is becoming important in the changing agricultural environment. “Food security will be the biggest problem facing the country in the next 50 years. There is a need to solve it through mutual understanding, cooperation, good utilization and joint efforts. There are majority of small and medium farmers in the country. Participation of small and medium farmers will be necessary in the future food security of the Country. The latest technologies will have to be incorporated and advanced along with their indigenous and traditional knowledge,” he added.  

Sinha said that agricultural technological innovation and its development should be in the interest of farmers and should be easily accepted by them. “Future thinking, understanding, cooperation and sharing of experience will have to be included in technological development on the basis of feedback from farmers. This will give importance and boost to technological development. Efforts will have to be made in smart agriculture with everyone's cooperation. In this direction, farmers producer organization mediated IT intervention will give impetus to agricultural development,” he added.
On the occasion, the Senior Director of C-DAC, Kolkata, BAU VC and guests jointly inaugurated the Agri-Information and Agri-Electronics poster. Devicharan Gop was honored with the Best FPO Mobilization Award, Gandura Oraon was honored with the Best FPO Award and Rajendra Mahato was honored with the Best FPO Network Award. On the occasion, Dr TN Sahu and Dr Subhash Sahu were honored for promoting agricultural technology through Nagpuri language. Dr SK Pal, Dr Sushil Prasad, Dr MK Gupta, Dr S. Karmakar, Dr BK Aggarwal, Dr AK Pandey, Dr Ramesh Kumar, Dr Nibha Bada, Dr BK Jha for their outstanding contribution in promoting IT in agriculture sector through various means. Dr Neeraj Kumar, Dr HC Lal, Dr Binay Kumar, Dr Ashok Kumar Singh, Dr CS Singh, Dr SB Kumar, Dr SK Jha, Dr IA Ansari, Dr NC Gupta and Dr Ashok Kumar Singh were honored by giving mementos.

On this occasion, the Vice Chancellor specially honored the team of C-DAC, Kolkata for promoting IT innovation in the agriculture sector.
On the occasion, Co-Director, C-DAC, Kolkata, Ritesh Mukherjee highlighted the importance of development and establishment of Technology Resource Centre.

The program was conducted by Radio Hariyali Coordinator Shashi Singh, and a welcome speech was given by Dean Agriculture Dr. DK Shahi and vote of thanks was given by Organizing Secretary Dr. BK Jha. A large number of officials and farmers associated with FPO including Dr. PK Singh, Dr. Shiv Mangal Prasad, ED DK Rusia, Dr. P. Mahapatra, Dr. Arvind Kumar etc. were present on the occasion.