Lucknow: The 11th Convocation of Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda, was held under the chairmanship of Uttar Pradesh Governor and University Chancellor, Smt. Anandiben Patel. The ceremony celebrated academic excellence, women’s health initiatives, agricultural innovation, and farmer empowerment.
Governor Patel awarded degrees and medals to meritorious students and announced that all degrees have been integrated into DigiLocker. A total of 350 degrees (292 male and 58 female students) were awarded, along with 19 medals—12 to male and 7 to female students.
In an extraordinary initiative inspired by the Governor, 300 girls aged 9 to 14 from Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya were administered the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. She also inaugurated an Art Gallery and Museum at the Community Science College.
As part of strengthening grassroots institutions, she distributed 500 resource and health kits to Anganwadi workers—300 from Hamirpur and 200 from Banda—and urged them to shape the future of children as true nation builders.
The ceremony featured a captivating poetic performance on environmental conservation by schoolchildren, which the Governor highly appreciated. Books were gifted by Raj Bhavan to the university library and to the district administrations of Banda and Hamirpur to promote reading culture.
In her address, Governor Patel emphasized the pivotal role of women in agriculture, stating, “Where there is woman, there is creation—and where there is creation, there is true agricultural fertility.” She urged increased female participation in research and education.
Highlighting the importance of agricultural outreach, she said universities must not limit themselves to education and research but must reach the fields, support farmers with training, technology, and market linkages, and make every farm a laboratory.
She called upon students to ignite prosperity in every farmer’s life through knowledge, and to adopt organic farming, warning that students who do not practice it may not be awarded degrees.
She praised the university’s achievements—24 rainwater harvesting ponds, farmer advisory services, 3 lakh saplings distributed, and a cow-based organic farming lab.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent launch of ₹42,000 crore agricultural schemes, including the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Yojana and Dalhan Atmanirbharta Mission, she urged faculty and students to study these schemes, prepare projects, and spread awareness among farmers.
“When farmers are empowered, the nation’s economy becomes naturally strong,” she asserted.
Governor Patel also released the brochure for the North Regional Farmers’ Fair 2026, themed “Innovation for Economic Empowerment and Prosperity in Agriculture,” to be held from February 12 to 14, 2026, with participation from seven states.
Chief Guest and Director of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, Dr. Cheru Kumalli Srinivasa Rao, lauded the university’s contributions to Bundelkhand’s development and praised initiatives in millets, organic farming, water conservation, and livestock preservation.
Vice Chancellor Prof. S.V.S. Raju presented the annual progress report, highlighting:
- 10 smart classrooms established
- NAAC ‘A’ Grade achieved
- 42 students placed in various institutions
- 57 new research projects formulated
- 2363 quintals of certified seeds produced
- 358 training programs benefiting 9,990 farmers
- 3.28 lakh saplings distributed
- Best KVK award to Hamirpur Krishi Vigyan Kendra
The event witnessed the presence of academic council members, faculty, students, administrative officials, Anganwadi workers, and schoolchildren.
The convocation reaffirmed the university’s mission to blend education, innovation, and farmer welfare, shaping agriculture as the backbone of a developed India.
