Organic farming practices in the northeast, according to President Ram Nath Kovind, need to be pushed with adequate branding and marketing, he said on Saturday. He was addressing at Tezpur University's 19th convocation, a central university.
"It's encouraging to see that organic farming is a top priority in the northeastern states. The university has a significant role to play in the branding and marketing of this region's agricultural products," Kovind remarked.
He was pleased to learn that the institution had gotten approval for the establishment of an incubation centre to process jackfruit and ready-to-eat cereal-based goods under the "Prime Minister-Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme." The department of food engineering and technology at TU has been designated as the State Level Technical Institute for the scheme's implementation.
He was referring to Assam's special Joha rice, which is noted for its great flavour and perfume. "Assam universities can assist farmers by branding, popularizing, and selling this unique rice variety." "There are a lot of agricultural items that may be marketed in the state," Kovind remarked.
He praised TU's unique ideas for bringing safe drinking water to many Assamese villages. Under the Universities' Social Responsibility programme, the institution can adopt some communities to assist in their overall development, according to Kovind.
The President expressed his delight at TU's sustainable energy initiatives, particularly in the university's adopted villages. He asked the TU community to strive to be among the top ten universities in the NIRF (National Institute Ranking Framework) in the near future.
He stated that the planned digital university will provide students around the country with access to world-class quality, universal education, and a tailored learning experience. "The digital university will provide courses in a variety of Indian languages as well as ICT formats. Tezpur University can play a key role in this endeavour by delivering high-quality digital content in Assamese and other northeastern languages, according to Kovind.
He also stated that Assam is blessed with amazing natural beauty and diverse biodiversity, praising the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve as a model of conservation. Himanta Biswa Sarma, the chief minister, went on to say that the TU was founded as a result of the historic 1985 Assam Accord, and he praised the sacrifices of the agitation's martyrs.
He also stated that the state government would fund the construction of a contemporary, cutting-edge sports centre at the university. Prof. Jagdish Mukhi, the governor of Assam and the chancellor of TU, stressed the importance of higher education and academic research in the process of nation-building.
Prof. VK Jain, TU's vice-chancellor, told the august gathering that the institution is committed to fostering environmentally friendly practices in everyday life by encouraging green activities such as the use of alternative energy sources, energy-saving, and sustainable waste management.
A total of 1,249 students were awarded degrees and diplomas, with 401 undergraduates, 717 postgraduates, 68 PG Diplomas, and 63 Ph.Ds among them. 45 gold medalists from various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes were among the degree holders.
