Nauni varsity to host Agri Fest for school students on Oct 26

To promote agriculture as a potential career option among school students, a one-day Agri-Fest 2023 will be held at the Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni on October 26. Besides scientists from agriculture and forestry disciplines and BSc students, over 600 schoolchildren from 18 schools will be among the 900 participants in the fest. The event is being held in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Education (ICAR) National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP).

The festival is structured around creating awareness through key lectures of eminent scientists, a model competition for school students on the theme ‘Agriculture-A Journey from Shortage to Surplus’, visits of students and teachers to Hi-Tech farms and laboratories of the University to expose them to various farming models and advances in agriculture education along with experience sharing by agriculture industrialists. During the event agriculture exhibitions on novel agriculture technologies will be arranged and participants will also be exposed to various university activities. Exhibitions from several self-help groups and demonstrations on drone usage in agriculture will also be held on the occasion.

The ICAR has implemented the ambitious NAHEP with the funding support of the World Bank which has strengthened the institutional capacity of the national agricultural system in India to impart quality and relevant education. However, a need to create large-scale sensitization among the students in their secondary and higher secondary levels of education, on the professional and entrepreneurial opportunities available for the agricultural graduates.

Since the creation and nurturing of sustainable food systems depends on the quality of agricultural education and research, therefore, the primary aim of AgriFest 2023 will be to create awareness of the achievements of Indian agriculture in attaining self-sufficiency and becoming a leader in the production of many agricultural commodities in the world. It further looks to attract the best talent to the agriculture sector to meet ever-increasing quality manpower requirements.

Through the fest, the school students will be exposed to the various facets and relevance of agriculture in nation-building and encouraged to opt for agriculture education as a career option. Besides, it will also create awareness among students, teachers and parents on the prospects of agri-education and its role in food, nutritional and livelihood security.