The general council of Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) has decided to associate with local bodies for implementation of development projects in the primary sector.
A resolution to this effect, moved by Jiju P. Alex, was unanimously accepted by the council on Saturday.
“Local bodies struggle to get expert guidance in formulation, evaluation, implementation, and monitoring of projects even as the KAU, with its presence across the State, is rich in expertise and experience in this regard,” said P. Rajendran, Vice Chancellor, who chaired the meeting.
The 126th meeting of the council held at Vellanikkara on Saturday resolved to seek financial assistance of the State government to clear the liabilities, retirement benefits, and ensure smooth implementation of plan projects of the varsity.
The Vice Chancellor suggested that a delegation of general council members meet Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac and apprise him of the severity and urgency of the issue. He agreed to the members’ concern regarding non-payment of dearness relief and pension arrears to retirees.
A resolution to campaign for good agricultural practices involving organic protocols in place of unscientific practices propagated on the pretext of organic farming was unanimously approved. This, the council said, was highly essential in view of the wrong notions and erroneous farming practices spread about organic farming.
Executive committee member K. Rajan, MLA, told the council that steps for special recruitment to teaching posts, rectification of pay revision anomalies and recruitment of farm labourers would be expedited.
Research station
The Vice Chancellor said the government had offered facility to establish a research station in Kozhikode, the only district where a KAU station does not exist. The council resolved that new institutions proposed should be started only with adequate funding, sanction of posts, and concurrence from the government.
The council decided to initiate discussions with all sections of the academic staff on syllabus revision. The award of degree to graduates and postgraduate students and research scholars who have completed requirements was approved.
The meeting was attended by executive committee members Aji Francis, Jose Joseph, K.A. Sheeba, and Ravisankar and elected and nominated members and officers of the university such as the registrar, deans of faculties and directors.
Varsity will campaign for good farming practices in place of the ones propagated as organic farming.
