**Executive Summary**
The Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare addressed the Third Convocation Ceremony at Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi, on February 28, 2026. The event celebrated the achievements of 365 students and emphasized the importance of agricultural research and innovation for national development and food security. The minister highlighted the government's initiatives to support farmers and promote sustainable agriculture.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Convocation Highlights:**
* 365 students received degrees, including 235 undergraduates, 127 postgraduates, and 3 Ph.D. scholars.
* 15 gold medals were awarded for academic achievements.
* **Minister's Address:**
* Emphasized the role of youth in nation-building through knowledge, skills, and values.
* Highlighted India's food security and the importance of quality and nutrition.
* Announced the government's initiative to transfer fertilizer subsidy directly to farmers through DBT and aims to create Farmer IDs for 12 crore farmers.
* Stressed the need for agricultural scientists to translate laboratory knowledge into practical field applications.
* **University Developments:**
* The university has grown from 5 students in 2014 to 1,100 students.
* New facilities include a College of Fisheries and a College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Datia, and studies will start in the College of Horticulture in Morena (Madhya Pradesh).
* Established several innovations, including a polyhouse, a high-tech nursery, an integrated farming system model, demonstration fields, and a crop cafeteria.
* **Other Highlights:**
* The minister planted a sapling and toured the university's agricultural facilities.
* Guest of Honour, Dr. M.L. Jat, emphasized the university's role in setting new benchmarks and fostering agricultural innovation.
**Impact Analysis**
**Students and Graduates**
* **Impact:** Celebrates their academic achievements and charges them with contributing to nation-building.
* **Action Required:** Apply their knowledge and skills to contribute to the agricultural sector and national development.
**Agricultural Scientists and Researchers**
* **Impact:** Emphasizes the need to translate research into practical applications for farmers.
* **Action Required:** Focus research on climate change, natural resource management, and value addition, ensuring benefits reach the last farmer.
**Farmers**
* **Impact:** Benefits from government initiatives like DBT and access to crop-related information through mobile phones.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the available support and information to improve agricultural practices and productivity.
**Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi**
* **Impact:** Recognized as an institution of national importance contributing to agricultural research and innovation.
* **Action Required:** Continue to expand educational programs, research initiatives, and technical advisory services to support farmers and promote sustainable agriculture.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare: The Union Ministry responsible for agriculture and farmer's welfare in India.
Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi: Agricultural University in Jhansi where the convocation was held.
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development.
Jhansi: City where Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University is located; location of the convocation.
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Government initiative to directly transfer fertiliser subsidy into farmer's accounts.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
“Convocation is not an end, but the beginning of
the nation-building process”: Shri Shivraj Singh
Chouhan
365 students conferred degrees, 15 awarded gold medals at
the Third Convocation of Rani Lakshmi Bai Central
Agricultural University, Jhansi
“Bundelkhand’s soil can become the centre of a pulses
revolution”: Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
“The goal of making India a ‘Food Basket’ will be achieved
only when scientists carry knowledge from the laboratory to
the field”: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Posted On: 28 FEB 2026 2:08PM by PIB Delhi
The Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi, organised its Third Convocation Ceremony
with historic dignity and enthusiasm. Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural
Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, opened his address as the Chief Guest by raising the slogans
“Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Jhansi Ki Rani Lakshmi Bai Ki Jai.” He personally conferred degrees on 365
students and honoured 15 meritorious students by awarding them gold medals.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Shivraj Chouhan said, “A convocation ceremony is not the end of life, but
the beginning of a new chapter of nation-building.” Calling upon the students, he said that under the
leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is earning global respect, and it is now the
responsibility of the youth to bring honour to the nation and their institution through their knowledge,
skills and values.
Referring to Guru Dronacharya and the guru-shishya tradition, the Union Minister conveyed a message of
integrity and dedication. Quoting inspiring thoughts, he said that students possess limitless potential; what
is needed is the determination to set a goal and move forward with firm resolve.
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Chouhan highlighted the country’s food security and said that today India is
not dependent on any country for food grains. He attributed this achievement to agricultural scientists and
hardworking farmers. Emphasising the concept of a ‘Nutritious India’, he said that along with production,
quality and nutrition are equally important.
He informed that the government is working towards making fertiliser subsidy transparent by transferring
it directly into farmers’ accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). So far, Farmer IDs have been
created for 8.5 crore farmers, with a target of reaching 12 crore. Through the ‘Bharat Extension Platform’,farmers are being provided complete crop-related information on their mobile phones.
Shri Chouhan said that the soil of Bundelkhand has the potential to become the centre of a pulses
revolution. He reiterated that the goal of making India a global ‘Food Basket’ will be achieved only when
scientists ensure that knowledge travels from laboratories to farmers’ fields. Referring to his personal
commitment, he said that he plants one sapling every day and appealed to everyone to plant at least one
sapling on their birthday.
The Guest of Honour, Dr. M.L. Jat, Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and
Secretary, DARE, described the university as an institution of national importance that is setting new
benchmarks every day. He said that Jhansi is the land of revolution, and now it will become the birthplace
of a new agricultural revolution in oilseeds and pulses.
Dr. Jat highlighted the role of intellectual property, innovation and scientific research in building a
developed India. He said the university is not merely conferring degrees, but is building human resources
that will determine the direction of the agricultural sector in the years to come.
He urged scientists to ensure that the benefits of research reach the last farmer in the queue. Research
focused on climate change, natural resource management and value addition must be prioritised. He
appealed to students to view agriculture as entrepreneurship and start-up opportunities and to play a
leading role in building an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India).
Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh welcomed the dignitaries and presented a detailed report on the
university’s progress. He stated that the university, which began in 2014 with just five students, has today
grown to 1,100 students and continues to progress steadily. He noted that the number of girl students is the
highest. He added that, along with imparting education, the university has become a centre for technical
advisory services, training and innovation for farmers.
In addition to the Jhansi campus, a College of Fisheries and a College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
have commenced in Datia, and studies at the College of Horticulture in Morena (Madhya Pradesh) will
begin soon.
The Vice-Chancellor informed that the university has established several innovations, including a
polyhouse, a high-tech nursery, an integrated farming system model, demonstration fields of durum wheat,
mustard and gram, and a crop cafeteria.
He read out a pledge for daily plantation and presented it to the Union Agriculture Minister, reaffirming
the university’s commitment to developing a ‘Green Campus’.
15 Gold Medals, 365 Degrees Conferred
At the ceremony, degrees were conferred upon a total of 365 students, including 235 undergraduates, 127
postgraduates and 3 Ph.D. scholars. Gold medals were awarded to 8 undergraduate, 7 postgraduate and 3
Ph.D. students for their outstanding academic achievements.
The programme began with the singing of Vande Mataram. The Chief Guest planted a sapling in the
university campus and was accorded a Guard of Honour by NCC cadets. Several new buildings, including
the Krishi Vigyan Mandap, were also inaugurated.
The Union Agriculture Minister interacted with farmers through a Kisan Chaupal organised in the
university fields. He also visited the demonstration plots of mustard and gram cultivation and toured the
integrated farming system model.
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