Agri engineering college at Hinjilicut sought

BERHAMPUR: People of Ganjam Districts have been demanding the establishment of an Agri Engineering College at Hinjilicut  near Berhampur city which is known as the agricultural bowl of Odisha. NRO Ajaya Sahu of Hinjilicut and presently a software expert working at Saudi Arab-based Resource Science Arabia Ltd (RSAL) has urged the Chief Minister to set up a college of agricultural engineering in Hinjilicut. Petitioning CM Naveen Patnaik, who represents Hinjlicut constituency, Sahu has stated that the area being an agricultural hub and vegetable feeder for the entire Ganjam district, there is a dire need for such an institution. Betel leaf of this place is famous not only in the entire State, but has a brand name of its own in other parts of the country. People of this locality depend largely on this sector for their livelihood and have their source of income mainly from these crops. In the absence of any major industry and employment opportunities and due to lack of the State’s support for agriculture and agro-based industries, people of this region are migrating in large numbers to the cotton and diamond-cutting industries in Gujarat. Hinjilicut can become a hub of agriculture and food processing industries if the State Government provides the requisite support and infrastructure, Sahu reflects the feelings of the locals in his petition. Agricultural engineering as a discipline has been gaining popularity across the country and people of the State in general and the region in particular, would immensely benefit if the State pays attention to the demand for such a college at Hinjilicut, Sahu bats. This Institute would not only be unique of its kind in the State, mushroomed with engineering colleges with conventional disciplines, but would be a step in the right direction to promote the food processing sector that remains largely untapped so far in the State, the NRO argues. The demanded college of agricultural engineering at Hinjilicut will go a long way in reviving the moribund agriculture sector in the State apart from attracting students and prospective entrepreneurs to this hitherto neglected discipline which has great potentials for job creation, he adds further. Establishment of the institution in one of the most agriculturally advanced places of Odisha like Hinjilicut would greatly benefit the people, agriculturists, students and entrepreneurs following which the State Government should consider the demand favourably, hopes Ajaya.

Source: The Pioneer