The first convocation of the University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences (UAHS), Shivamogga, titled “Suggi Sambhrama”, will be held at Kuvempu Rangamandir here on October 19, its Vice-Chancellor C. Vasudevappa has said.
A total of 448 students, who have completed their bachelor and masters degree courses from the university, would be conferred degrees during the convocation, he said at a press conference here on Friday.
Governor Vajubhai Vala would preside over the convocation programme. R.R. Hanchinal, chairperson of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority, would deliver the convocation address. Minister of State for Agriculture Krishna Byre Gowda, who is also the pro-Chancellor of the university, would take part in the programme in which 26 gold medals would be awarded to 19 students.Mr. Vasudevappa said that agri-business had emerged as a lucrative career option for those who pursue degrees in farm sciences. The university had plans to offer training for its students in agriculture business, including setting up of outlets for farm inputs, floriculture and vegetable cultivation in polyhouses, value addition for agricultural produce, food processing and related activities. The university had planned to make training in agriculture business an integral part of the Rural Agricultural Work Experience (RAWE) programme. The Union government would also extend subsidised loans of up to Rs. 20 lakh to agriculture graduates desirous of venturing into agriculture business, he said.
P. Narayanaswamy, Director of Research, and T.H. Gowda, Director of Extension were present.
