The first vice-chancellor has been appointed for the Mahatma Gandhi University of Horticulture and Forestry, Chhattisgarh.
Governor Anusuiya Uikey has appointed Dr. Ram Shankar Kureel, who is the former Director of Institute of Horticulture Technology, Greater Noida & Vice Chancellor of Birsa Agriculture University. He had also served as the Vice Chancellor of Acharya Narendra Dev University of Agriculture & Technology, Ayodhya, UP and also as Founder- VC of Dr BR Ambedkar University of Social Sciences (BRAUSS), Indore, MP.
Mahatma Gandhi University of Horticulture & Forestry is the Chhattisgarh's first Horticulture and Forestry University. At present, about 600 undergraduate, 100 postgraduate and 50 PhD students will be admitted to this university every year. The state government intends that through this university, farmers will directly connect with agriculture industries, so that the rural economy can improve and more employment opportunities can be made available for the youth.
Dr R.S Kureel in a conversation with Krishi Jagran said, “The Government has been working aggressively for the development of the Agriculture sector of the country, however, the horticulture sector is equally important. We must aim to increase the fruits & vegetable production in the country, through which the nutritional needs of the people can be taken care of. And for this, it is important that we spread awareness about the available technology in agriculture to increase the production.”
“There are Krishi Vigyan Kendras in almost all the districts of Chhatissgarh, now government should focus on building Udhyan Vigyan Kendras through which technology can be made available to the farmers of the state.” he added.
After becoming the VC of Mahatma Gandhi University of Horticulture & Forestry, he aims to empower the youth of the state which is largely tribal by guiding them in the right direction and focus of the socio economic development of the state.
Making Chhattisgarh self-reliant by developing rural employment opportunities will be the main objective of this university. The building of the university is being constructed here at a cost of about Rs 55 crore. For this, the Officer on Special Duty, Dr. Ajay Verma has already been appointed here.
