In a bid to encourage students who have undertaken research in the agricultural sector and have come up with innovations, the state government has asked the concerned departments to highlight the same through the print and electronic media.
According to officials of the Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education that is entrusted with the task of identifying and short listing deserving students, the selection will be based on the results of the Maharashtra Talent Search contest as well as recommendations by the institution itself.
Speaking about the initiative, Dr P.M. Khodke, director MSBTE said, “MSBTE governing council member Prataprao Pawar, who is also associated with newspaper supplement Agrowon, came up with the suggestion for publishing achievements. The idea was then
forwarded to the ministry which readily agreed to the same and issued a resolution to the effect,” said Dr Khodke.
So far MSBTE has shortlisted seven such concepts and is in talks with newspapers and news channels to have a regular slot for such innovative concepts. MSBTE will provide the funding for completing concepts as well as streamline the incomplete projects before they are offered to the media for publication.
Referring to the project of one of the finalists Dr Khodke said that the multi-utility tractor that can plough, sow, water and fertilise the soil at the same time is a practical concept that will be published and aired through popular media.