The 60th convocation of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, was held on May 14. A total of 1,115 students who graduated in the academic year 2024-25 were awarded degrees in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Thaawarchand Gehlot, Governor and Chancellor of the University of Agricultural Sciences, presided over the function.

Noting that agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy, Mr. Gehlot raised the issue of excessive use of chemical fertilizer and pesticides that pollute the environment and adversely affect human health.

“It is important to promote natural farming. By using natural elements, soil fertility and productivity can be increased. Quality of land can be improved by using organic fertilizer,” he said.

N. Cheluvarayaswamy, Agriculture Minister, was also present at the event. He expressed happiness that the number of female students in agriculture has been increasing. Female students have emerged as the top performers, with 35 students across Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral programmes collectively securing 97 gold medals and certificates.

Noting that the State government has implemented many schemes for the development of agriculture and allied sectors, Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy said that it was the responsibility of agricultural institutions, officials and agricultural scientists to establish direct contact with farmers, understand their problems and provide information about new technologies.

He also called upon the university students to use the knowledge and skills they have acquired to address the challenges in the sector and turn them into opportunities.

L.S. Shashidhara, director at National Centre for Biological Sciences, noted that the university’s recent NAAC A+ grade accreditation was a remarkable achievement.

Honorary doctorate degrees were conferred upon G.V.K. Naidu, chairman and managing director of Sam Agri Fresh Private Limited; Srikantha H.K, agricultural entrepreneur, progressive farmer, and social worker; and Aravind T.M, a pioneer in the adoption of high-tech precision farming, in recognition of their commendable service in the field of agriculture.