Over six decades ago, in 1960, the first Agriculture University of the nation, the G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, was established in Pantnagar on the pattern of the Land Grant Agriculture Universities of the United States. It was founded on the premise that systematic education, research and extension programmes in agriculture and allied subjects were necessary to develop human capital, and that knowledge and technologies were needed for the growth and development of the country. Pantvarsity is now one of the most comprehensive agriculture universities in the nation. Over the past six decades it has grown into a formidable centre for agricultural education, research and development, and in many ways has ushered in India’s renaissance in agricultural education. Bharat Ratna Late Dr. C. Subramaniam, then Union Agriculture Minister, was instrumental in its establishment; addressing the 3rd convocation on April 7, 1966 he remarked, “I am confident that whenever the history of agricultural education is written, this university will be remembered for having laid the foundation of a revolutionary era in Indian agricultural education.” The University has since produced more than 40,000 alumni who have flourished in India and abroad, and has earned the credibility of being the ‘harbinger of the Green Revolution’ in the country.
As we all know, the future increase in agricultural production, driven by growing demand, has to come mainly through productivity enhancement, even as we address the threats to food security, nutritional security, environmental sustainability and natural-resource sustainability. Meeting these challenges — particularly for the small and marginal farming communities of the hill states, including Uttarakhand — will require technological innovation alongside traditional techniques: hybrid technology, biotechnology, quality seed and planting material, resource-conservation technologies, GIS/GPS and ICT applications, integrated nutrient and pest management, and value addition through secondary agriculture. All of this demands high-quality, relevant agricultural education and a technology-savvy human resource at every level. With eight faculties, fourteen on-campus and eight off-campus research centres and nine Krishi Vigyan Kendras across nine districts, the University is well placed to confront these challenges. Its three pillars — the students, the faculty, and the officers & staff — stand committed to serving humanity in Uttarakhand and across the country.
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