How is Banda Agricultural University working in the field of agriculture? Working on farming techniques on dry land of Bundelkhand

The region of Bundelkhand is always suffering from drought and natural disasters. There is land here, but very little cultivable land. Actually, the land here is dry and there are not enough means for irrigation. At the same time, there is also less organic carbon in the soil, due to which the land is becoming barren. The means of employment in this region are becoming limited, due to which the possibility of migration is increasing. In such a situation, Banda Agricultural University has come as a ray of hope.

Banda Agricultural University is not only giving information about new farming techniques to the farmers, but is also providing such courses in the university so that the youth can start their own employment after studies. To know how the university is helping farmers and students, Kisan of India correspondent Sarvesh Bundeli spoke to the university’s vice chancellor Narendra Pratap Singh.

When was Banda Agricultural University established?

Vice chancellor Narendra Pratap Singh said that Banda Agricultural and Technology University was established on 2 March 2010. However, the first 2-3 years were spent in creating the infrastructure and gathering facilities. But the university has been working continuously for the last 10 years. There are 4 colleges here. Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry and Community Science College. Where along with graduate and post graduate courses, students also have the facility of PhD.

What kind of modern facilities?

Vice chancellor Narendra Pratap Singh tells about the facilities available in Banda Agricultural University that here students are given all kinds of necessary modern facilities so that they can invent new things. Be it a laboratory or a research field. Whether it is an educational farm or a research farm or a commercial farm required for further advanced research, all of them are present in the university. This university is residential, that is, the students live in the college campus itself.

Kisan Mela of Banda Agricultural University

About the agricultural fair organized by Banda Agricultural University, he tells that Kisan Mela has been organized in the university for the last 3 years. Where thousands of farmers not only from this area but also from far-flung areas come. On coming here, they are given information about the new research being done in the university. Farmers have a discussion with scientists in which farmers are given information related to farming.

How is work done on the future of children in Banda Agricultural University?

The Vice Chancellor says that the aim of his university is to make the students self-reliant. Further he says that Banda Agricultural University is trying to make the children self-employed after studying here. They are encouraged to create startups, FPOs. Students who want to do something with new thinking are helped. Skills are developed in students here, companies from outside come for placement. The aim of the university is that the students who graduate from here should get good placement or they can start their own business.

Bundelkhand is the center of biodiversity

Narendra Pratap Singh tells that as far as water is concerned in Bundelkhand, there are rivers here, but sometimes there is no water in the rivers for the whole year. Actually, the rivers here are very fickle, so they are not able to stop the rain water that falls. The government has made many schemes in which efforts are being made to conserve rain water by digging ponds. He further says-

Bundelkhand has 7 districts each from Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. This is a dry area. Biodiversity is very high here and the farming here is completely different from other places. This area has mountains, plateaus, plains, low land and a lot of forest. There are possibilities of farming here, but the land is dry. That is why we have a complete center on dry land agriculture in our campus.

Work on water-soil conservation

The main task of dry land agriculture is how to conserve water and soil. When it rains, the fertile soil on top also gets washed away, which also disturbs the pH balance of the soil. In most places, the underground water is saline, so efforts are being made to make it usable.

The big problem here is that most areas are single-cropped, that is, only Rabi crop is grown. The rest of the time, the fields remain empty. Actually, there is a lack of carbon in the soil, due to which the soil is not fertile, there is also a lack of irrigation resources. In such a situation, efforts are being made to use the stored water in agriculture and grow more than one crop, so that the interest of the youth in agriculture increases and their migration can be stopped.

Micro irrigation system, which includes sprinkler and drip irrigation technology, can be used for irrigation. It is beneficial to use sprinkler in crops and drip irrigation technology in gardens.

Working for the conservation of biodiversity

Narendra Pratap Singh tells about Bundelkhand that there is biodiversity in every area here. Be it animals, wildlife or fruits and vegetables. There are many things that are found only here. 

Our effort is to conserve and promote them. For this, a conservation and promotion center has been opened. Kenkatha cow breed is one of the 4 indigenous breeds found in Uttar Pradesh. Over time, its breed has changed, which has reduced its utility. Our effort is to identify these cows and improve their breed, so that their utility increases. Similarly, efforts are being made to conserve Jalori sheep. Efforts are also being made to conserve the special Bundelkhandi goat here.

Production of improved seeds

Vice Chancellor Narendra Pratap Singh says that in Bundelkhand, many indigenous fruits like chironji are getting extinct due to deforestation, for this a national seed bank has been created. Like chironji, mahua is also getting extinct. Seeds of small-sized jamun, amla, bael, ber, all of these are being preserved and given to farmers, so that indigenous fruits can be saved. These fruits grow even in less water. Dragon fruit cultivation is also very good here. Along with this, farmers are also earning well from date palm cultivation.

Post Harvesting Technology

Narendra Pratap Singh says that post harvesting technology is very beneficial. Usually seasonal fruits and vegetables are very cheap, due to which farmers do not get good income, while after the season they become very expensive. Using post harvesting technology, products like pickles, chutney are being made from fruits and vegetables, which increases income.

Agro Eco Park Project

An Agro Eco Park is being built inside the university. Where all the biodiversity will be conserved, so that people can be connected to the old tradition of agriculture.

Training to farmers and youth

Many training programs are held in Banda Agricultural University. Not only this, exhibitions are also organized in the farmers’ fields. Efforts are being made to connect farmers through all this so that they can increase their income by increasing productivity. Along with this, efforts are being made to stop the migration of youth from agriculture and to save the environment and bio-wealth. The university is trying to become a leader in the field of dry farming research and environment in the coming times.