Pantnagar, June 26, 2026: A two day alumni conference at Pantnagar’s Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology was inaugurated on Friday by Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi. The event was lit with ceremonial lamps as leaders highlighted Pantnagar’s legacy in Indian agriculture and its role in shaping the future of farming.
Addressing the gathering, Chauhan called Pantnagar University a proud centre in the history of Indian agriculture, saying it has produced scientists, policy makers, agri entrepreneurs and skilled professionals who have transformed rural development. He said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance and Chief Minister Dhami’s leadership, Uttarakhand is moving toward becoming not only India’s but also the world’s spiritual capital.
The Union minister described Pantnagar as a meeting point of tradition, modernity and research. He noted that India is now producing around 377 million tonnes of food grains, with grain reserves full and rice production placing the country ahead of China at the global level. He added that wheat output remains surplus and that Indian wheat and basmati rice continue to gain demand across international markets. According to him, Pantnagar University has played an invaluable role in this achievement.
Chauhan also spoke about the future of Indian agriculture, saying climate change, rising temperatures, groundwater depletion, shifting weather patterns, declining soil health and excessive use of chemical fertilizers pose serious challenges. He stressed that only scientific research and innovation can provide lasting solutions.
Chief Minister Dhami said traditional crops must be preserved while production of fruits and diverse agricultural products should be encouraged. He urged the university’s alumni and experts to form a committee that can provide practical suggestions for solving agricultural problems, so that the state can seriously consider them.
Dhami called on alumni to connect their knowledge, experience and expertise with Uttarakhand’s development by contributing to agriculture, research, innovation, startups and youth mentoring. He said Pantnagar is not merely an educational institution but a major centre of India’s Green Revolution, and described “Brain 3.0” as a platform linking knowledge, experience, innovation and future opportunities.
The chief minister emphasized that this is the age of artificial intelligence, drones, data analytics, biotechnology and digital agriculture, and said universities and alumni must keep pace with these changes. He added that Uttarakhand’s hill agriculture faces challenges such as fragmented landholdings, crop damage by wild animals, youth migration, limited market access and climate change, and that the solution lies not only in government schemes but also in knowledge, research, innovation and collective participation.
Before the main session, Chauhan and Dhami visited the Pantnagar museum and stalls set up by self help groups, interacted with students, participated in paddy transplanting and planted a sapling on the university campus.
Ganesh Joshi urged that Pantnagar University be declared a heritage university. Vice Chancellor Dr. S. K. Kashyap welcomed the guests. The event was attended by MPs, MLAs, senior officials, university staff and a large number of alumni.
Author: This news is edited by: Abhishek Verma, (Editor, CANON TIMES)
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