Karnataka Guv Urges Graduates to Drive Agri Innovation
Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Wednesday called on young graduates to lead innovation in India’s agriculture sector, stressing the growing role of agri-tech, startups, and sustainable practices in driving rural and economic transformation.
Speaking at the 38th Convocation of the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), the Governor highlighted the potential of emerging sectors such as organic product marketing, cold chain logistics, farm-to-market linkages, and agri-tourism as future growth engines. “With over 60% of India’s population reliant on agriculture, agricultural universities must evolve into catalysts for socio-economic growth,” said Gehlot. He urged students to contribute to flagship missions like Startup India, Digital India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat by turning research into scalable field solutions. The Governor underscored the urgent need to tackle key challenges including climate change, water scarcity, soil degradation, and farmer income instability. “These can only be solved through scientific innovation, technological skills, and a spirit of entrepreneurship,” he said.
Pointing to the future of farming, he stressed the use of cutting-edge tools such as artificial intelligence, drones, biotechnology, and data analytics in improving productivity and sustainability. “Smart agriculture is the way forward, and you must become its torchbearers,” Gehlot told graduates. He further called for the creation of “knowledge villages”—rural hubs where innovation, value addition, and market connectivity can thrive with institutional support and active community participation. Expressing concern over excessive chemical usage, the Governor advocated a shift toward organic and natural farming, aligning public health with environmental sustainability.
The address positioned young graduates not just as future professionals but as potential changemakers in India’s agri-economy, reflecting a broader push to integrate rural development with digital and green innovation in 2025.
