Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the National Scholarship Portal Direct Benefit Transfer system at ICAR-IARI, Pusa, disbursing ₹21.35 crore in scholarships to over 6,000 agriculture students across India. The new DBT mechanism ensures monthly scholarship payments directly to students, eliminating delays associated with traditional disbursement systems and providing timely financial assistance.
Minister Chouhan emphasized that scholarships serve as crucial financial support that strengthens agricultural education by connecting it with practical learning opportunities. He stressed that classroom-based learning alone cannot produce competent farmers, scientists, or agricultural entrepreneurs, highlighting the essential role of hands-on training in developing real agricultural competence. The Minister appealed to students to share suggestions for system improvements and encouraged them to participate in plantation drives at ICAR institutions nationwide on Hariyali Amavasya as part of collective environmental responsibility.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the government prioritizes food security, nutrition, and farmers' income security in the agriculture sector. Minister Chouhan acknowledged ICAR scientists' vital contributions, noting that their research combined with farmers' hard work has strengthened India's food grain reserves. He encouraged agriculture students to pursue innovation, startups, and research rather than limiting themselves to employment-seeking, and emphasized integrating agricultural education with technology, training, and industry orientation to address future challenges.
The event was attended by Union Minister of State for Agriculture Shri Bhagirath Choudhary, ICAR Director General Dr. M.L. Jat, ICAR Secretary Shri Gyanendra Tripathi, DDG Dr. Yashpal Singh Malik, and IARI Director Dr. C. Srinivasa Rao. Senior officials, scientists from ICAR and IARI, and numerous students attended in person, while thousands joined virtually through online participation.