5 agro-polytechs to open by July

BHUBANESWAR: Five of the 10 agro-polytechnics proposed to be set up by the OUAT in 10 agro-climatic zones of the State, would be opened by July.The agriculture varsity is in the process of recruiting teaching staff for the polytechnics who would be appointed as instructors under government cadre. “Since getting quality faculty in the areas where these agro-polytechnics would come up is very difficult, we have decided to make at least five of them operational by this July,” said OUAT Vice-Chancellor DP Ray.The polytechnics would offer two-year diploma course for Plus-II pass-outs in the disciplines of agriculture (six agro-polytechnics), animal science (one), horticulture (two) and pisciculture (one).  The polytechnics will also provide certificate courses for school dropouts in various disciplines.The OUAT had last year proposed to set up the polytechnics aiming to help the grassroots-level people in the field of technology transfer and guiding farmers in improving their economy.Ray said apart from addressing unemployment problem, agro-polytechnics will also serve the need by creating para-professionals in agriculture sector. These agro-polytechnicians would help the grassroots-level farmers more on technology transfer. These institutes would function close to agriculture research stations and Krishi Vigyan Kendras as there will be optimum utilisation of teachers, support staff, equipment and appliances and other existing facilities.