NAGPUR: While it is a matter of pride that Vidarbha first government biotechnology college of the state is coming up in Yavatmal, the government is yet to okay the much awaited and agriculture college in Kelapur near Pandharkawda, also in Yavatmal district, that can boost agriculture education in this farmer suicide belt.
Maharashtra agriculture minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil will be inaugurating the biotechnology college on Thursday in presence of the social justice minister Shivajrao Moghe from Kelapur and guardian minister of Nagpur district and Food and Drugs Minister Manohar Naik.
Speaking to TOI, Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV) vice-chancellor R G Dani said university had already initiated the admission for 40 seats in college announced by the state government in July. "It is the first state owned constituent college in biotechnology in entire state and PDKV is proud to get it. The college will function from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) building, which is well furnished, until its own new building comes up. To begin with, teachers for four agriculture subjects will be roped in from Nagpur and Akola and teachers for non-agriculture subjects will be from Yavatmal itself. Academic session will begin from September 1," he said. The college is being set up on the 49.76 hectares of land where the university already runs a farm research station and KVK.
Though local leaders and citizens have welcomed college they are also demanding the state nod for the college of agriculture in Kelapur in Pandharkawada. Moghe has been raising the issue of this college in the cabinet meetings and is confident that the government will give a favourable decision. He said that the entire process might take some time. "We should wait," he added.
Shankar Bade, president of Pandharkawda municipal council, is demanding the college at the earliest. "We are happy our district got a biotechnology college but we also need the agriculture college. Government should not hesitate in taking a decision soon as the basic requirement of land for the college is already met. Parvekar family has donated about 40 acres prime land for the college 30 years back. Still, there is no sign of college. We will meet the agriculture minister on Thursday and submit our demand. There can be no better time than this year as the college can be dedicated to late Vasantrao Naik who saw agriculture as biggest tool for progress of rural people," said Bade who is also the treasurer of the district Congress unit.
Vasant Rathod, village sarpanch of Umri road, too agrees. He said the area infamous for suicide of farmers should get a college to create opportunity for wards of local families in order to create awareness among farmers about right practices and improve the agriculture scenario of Yavatmal district.
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