CH NEWS
BAGALKOT
The 14th Convocation of the University of Horticultural Sciences was held on Tuesday at the main auditorium. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot graced the occasion and conferred gold medals to meritorious graduates.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor highlighted the vital role of horticulture in the nation’s economic development and agricultural GDP. Karnataka stands among the leading states in horticulture. “The sector contributes significantly not just to agricultural productivity, but also to employment, environmental sustainability, and nutritional security,” he said.
Applauding the growing participation of women in the fields of agriculture and horticulture, the Governor attributed it to the success of ongoing women empowerment initiatives.
He further emphasized the immense potential of floriculture and medicinal crops. India is gaining international recognition for its high-quality flower production. “With the increasing global demand for cosmetics and herbal products, farmers should be encouraged to diversify into floriculture and medicinal plant cultivation,” he noted.
The Governor called for stronger linkages between scientists and rural farmers to bridge the technology gap and boost production. “The horticulture sector holds the promise of higher income, employment, and nutrition per unit of land. Medicinal and aromatic crops are in global demand, and farmers must embrace advanced cultivation techniques,” he added.
“Recognizing India’s varied agro-climatic zones, Governor Gehlot encouraged youth to explore floriculture as a business opportunity. Floriculture is not just about flower farming, it spans marketing, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and exports. This is an area where our youth can thrive as entrepreneurs,” he remarked.
The convocation ceremony was attended by Dr Himanshu Pathak, Director General of International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad; Dr Vishnuvardhan, Vice Chancellor of the University and Mahadev Muragi, Registrar of the University.
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Governor Gehlot called on students and institutions to actively participate in national initiatives such as Startup India, Digital India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat, stating that agriculture-based startups are playing a key role in India’s emergence as the fourth-largest global economy.