VNMKV Celebrates Its 26th Convocation with Great Enthusiasm

The Hon'ble Governor of Maharashtra & Chancellor of the university Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, presided over the event 

The 26^th convocation ceremony of Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth (VNMKV), Parbhani, was held with great enthusiasm on January 23, 2025. The Hon'ble Governor of Maharashtra & Chancellor of the university Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, presided over the event. On this occasion, Hon. Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari (In absentia) & Hon. Water Resources Minister Shri Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil were conferred with the Honorary Doctor of Science degree. A total of 3,462 students were awarded degrees (UG, PG, Ph.D.).

The event was graced by several esteemed dignitaries on the dais, including Hon. Agriculture Minister & Pro-Chancellor Adv. Manikrao Kokate, Hon. Water Resources Minister Shri Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Hon. Vice Chancellor Dr. Indra Mani, Chief Guest Former Director of IIT Kharagpur Prof. V K Tewari, Hon. Public Health & Family Welfare Minister Smt. Meghna Bordikar, Hon. Chairman of State Agricultural Prices Commission Shri Pasha Patel, MLAs Shri Rahul Patil, Shri Ratnakar Gutte, & Shri Rajesh Vitekar. The convocation also witnessed the presence of distinguished personalities such as Executive Council members, Vice-Chancellors (Dr. PDKV) Dr. Sharad Gadakh, VC, Dr. PDKV, Akola, Prof. Niteen Patil, VC (MAFSU), former vice-chancellors, university officials, & students.

Addressing the gathering, the Hon'ble Governor emphasized the importance of food and energy security, highlighting the various challenges posed by climate change to agriculture. He stressed the need for interdisciplinary knowledge among scientists to develop sustainable solutions for farmers. Governor Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan further stated that India needs to focus on cultivating high-value crops. Currently, the country is exporting fruits, and while there was a shortage of food grains in the past, today India is self-sufficient and exporting various agricultural commodities. This achievement is solely due to the hard work of farmers and the research conducted by universities. He highlighted the agricultural revolution that India has witnessed. Despite the growing population, India continues to ensure food security by increasing agricultural production. Agriculture and agribusiness are the backbone of Indian economy, and it is essential to adapt to changing times by adopting modern technology. Farmer-centric research must be prioritized. The Governor appreciated the innovative initiative "Maza Ek Diwas, Maza Baliraja Sobat" implemented by Parbhani Agricultural University and congratulated the university for increasing seed production in the past two years, providing high-quality seeds to farmers. He emphasized the need to increase agricultural productivity by adopting improved and precise farming practices. By 2047, the dream of a 'Viksit Bharat' will be realized through food security, and the country will become a major exporter of agricultural produce. The university’s research will further support exports on a larger scale. He acknowledged the crucial role of university scientists in the welfare of farmers. He further remarked that achieving food security by 2047 would contribute to India's vision of becoming a global agricultural leader.

On this occasion, the Hon'ble Governor advised students to prioritize their families, respect their parents, and keep them satisfied. He encouraged them to remain happy and overcome the ups and downs of life. He emphasized that today marks the beginning of a new journey, urging students to utilize their acquired knowledge for the benefit of farmers and society.

Agriculture Minister Adv. Manikrao Kokate commended the university's efforts in developing biofortified crop varieties & supporting farmers with innovative agricultural technologies. He underlined the importance of integrating agricultural education at the school level & called for reforms to enhance practical learning for students.

Water Resources Minister Shri Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil expressed his gratitude upon receiving the honorary degree and dedicated it to the farmers of Maharashtra. He emphasized the need for residue-free and organic farming practices and urged the university to focus on research that meets farmers' needs. He also highlighted the government's initiatives to double farmers' income and called for quality-driven agricultural production.

Vice Chancellor Dr. Indra Mani presented the university's annual report, highlighting its achievements in research, extension, and education. He reiterated the university's commitment to students centric education, innovation centric research, farmer-centric extension and employee centric administration and its contribution to agricultural advancements in the region.

In his convocation address, Prof. V K Tewari congratulated the graduating students and praised the university for its commitment to excellence in agricultural education and research. He emphasized the importance of values, knowledge, and skills in shaping the future of agriculture and called upon graduates to contribute meaningfully to the farming community.

In this convocation, the Hon’ble Chancellor conferred 3,126 Bachelor’s degrees, 307 Master’s degrees, and 29 Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees, symbolizing the dedication and hard work of the students. In a moment of honor and prestige, the University presented 60 awards to meritorious students. A total of 14 Gold Medals were awarded to UG & PG students. In addition, donor medals were conferred upon 3 UG, 6 PG, & 1 Ph.D. candidate, along with a donor silver medal at the PG level. Furthermore, 11 students received cash prizes for their outstanding academic achievements.