Bhagalpur: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for projects worth over Rs. 100 crore at Bihar Agricultural University in Sabour on Saturday . The event was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, Water Resources Minister Vijay Chaudhary, and Member of Parliament Ajay Mandal.
The Chief Minister arrived at the university campus at 11:30 AM, where he was warmly welcomed by Vice Chancellor Dr. D.R. Singh and greeted by university students with the college song.
The highlight of the event was the foundation stone ceremony for the Agricultural Biotechnology College, which will include a new main building and hostel at an estimated cost of Rs. 72 crore. The Chief Minister also inaugurated a NABL-accredited laboratory constructed at Rs. 20 crore. This lab is aimed at providing certification for the quality and reliability of agricultural products, allowing Bihar’s farmers, startups, and food traders to access certification services within the state rather than seeking them outside.
Additionally, the Chief Minister inaugurated a laboratory for the Agricultural Decision Support System, a part of the Climate-Friendly Agriculture Program, built at a cost of Rs. 9 crore. This facility will provide accurate weather information up to the Panchayat level, aiding farmers in their agricultural decision-making.
The Chief Minister also toured the university’s exhibition stalls, showcasing significant achievements in areas such as patents, SubAgris, hydroponic fodder, food processing, agricultural extension through ICT, and community radio stations. He lauded the ongoing efforts in supporting agricultural startups and the products developed by them, including those from the SubAgris initiative. Moreover, he was impressed by the historical agricultural research heritage displayed from the Sabour campus, a site significant for advanced farming since the 19th century.
A momentous part of the event was the release of a special postal cover on Mithila Makhana, a heritage crop of Bihar. The cover was unveiled by the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and Water Resources Minister, alongside several other dignitaries. Vice Chancellor Dr. D.R. Singh presented the Chief Minister with a garland of Makhana. Bihar Agricultural University has been at the forefront of research to promote Makhana production, and recently developed a new variety of Sabour Makhana. This initiative aligns with the Central Government’s announcement of a Makhana Board to further support Makhana cultivation in Bihar, which was included in the recent budget.
The event concluded with a sense of joy on campus, with law and order maintained throughout, marking another step forward in enhancing Bihar’s agricultural and research infrastructure.
