Bhubaneswar : The Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) is planning to set up an incubation centre for students to develop their entrepreneurial ideas and start-ups, and a skill development centre to train youths in agriculture sector.
This year, the university will also set up community radio centres to reach out to farmers and provide them information on agricultural needs, innovations and research. This was announced by Vice-Chancellor Surendranath Pashupalak on the occasion of 55th foundation day celebration of OUAT. Pashupalak said the State Government has been approached to fund an agri-business technology incubation centre for entrepreneurship development among students. A budget of `7.4 crore has been sought from the Government for the centre which will be headquartered in Bhubaneswar.
Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy and Governor SC Jamir attended as chief guests.
At least 50 graduates, primarily from agriculture and allied sectors, and progressive farmers will be provided hand-holding support for developing their entrepreneurial ideas at the incubation centre in next three years.
Similarly, the skill development centre will focus on developing skills of one lakh school dropouts, rural youths, practising farmers and existing students of the university in agriculture sector.
An amount of `5.95 crore has been sought from the State Government for the purpose. The skill development centre will provide ‘Skilling in Agriculture’ course through its 31 Krushi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), 10 agro-polytechnic centres and different commodity-based laboratories.
Pashupalak said community radio centres will be set up in all the 31 KVKs with an investment of `20 lakh each. These radio centres will have a coverage area of 12 km radius and farmers would be provided information regarding latest developments in agriculture sector.
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