Inauguration of International Conference on Blended Learning Ecosystem for Higher Education in Agriculture

New Delhi:21/3/23: Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shri Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurated the International Conference on Blended Learning Ecosystem for Higher Education in Agriculture, in New Delhi today. Shri Tomar launched the Blended Learning Platform at the conference organized by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in collaboration with the World Bank. On this occasion, Shri Tomar said that it is necessary to have agricultural education, technology and knowledge to solve the challenges facing agriculture in the future.

Expressing happiness, the Chief Guest, Union Minister Shri Tomar said that facilities like Krishi Megh (National Agricultural Research & Education System – Cloud Infrastructure and Services), which was started in August, 2020 and Virtual Classroom started in April, 2021, played an important role in teaching during the pandemic. This Blended Learning Platform will make Krishi Megh even more useful for teachers and students of agricultural universities and colleges across the country. Krishi Megh infrastructure has been strengthened for the Blended Learning Platform, so that the students are benefitted. Shri Tomar said that on the call of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, during the 25 years of Amrit Kaal, the period from the 75^th year of India’s Independence till the Centenary Year, our thinking, methodology, pace and vision should be so comprehensive that by the year 2047, India, having acquired all the technologies, takes seat in the comity of the Developed nations. Blended learning will be a big contributor in this journey. It is our responsibility to extend the technology to the farmland. Technology support is very necessary in the field of farming, in order that the Agriculture sector is facilitated, attracts the new generation, leads to job opportunities, reduces input costs and the quality of production improves. All this needs to be done with sincerity and dedication. The contribution of agriculture sector is also very important in fulfilling the goal of building a developed India, because agriculture is the backbone of the country’s economy. Its strength will help prepare the nation to stand firm in any situation and move forward. Along with this, there is a need to be prepared for the challenges that are going to come till the year 2047 regarding Food Security and Climate Change.

Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR, Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Deputy Director General (Agriculture Education) and National Director – National Agricultural Higher Education Project, Dr. R.C. Aggarwal and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.