BAU Sabour Conducts First Technical Planning Meeting under Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhanya Kisan Yojana (PM-DDKY)

Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Sabour, organized the first technical planning meeting under the Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhanya Kisan Yojana (PM-DDKY) to develop a district-level work plan for agriculture and allied sectors. The meeting was chaired by Dr. A.K. Singh, Director of Research, BAU Sabour, and attended by senior university officers and scientists.

The objective of the meeting was to formulate a scientifically structured, region-specific, and outcome-oriented framework to enhance agricultural productivity, farmers’ income, and climate resilience in Bihar’s aspirational districts. The PM-DDKY initiative emphasizes evidence-based interventions, convergence of schemes, and technology-led agricultural transformation for sustainable rural development.

Senior officers and faculty members, including Dr. S.K. Pathak (Dean, PGS & DEE), Dr. M.K. Wadhwani (Principal, CABM), Dr. Sailabala Dei, Deputy Director Research Dr. P.K. Singh (Chairman, PBG), Dr. Sanjay Kumar (Chairman, Agronomy), Dr. S.S. Acharya, Dr. Sudhir Kumar, and Dr. Aditya Sinha, actively participated in the technical discussions.

The deliberations covered a wide range of focus areas, including:

Agro-ecological zoning and district-specific cropping strategies,

Seed system improvement and varietal diversification,

Climate-smart and precision agriculture technologies,

Integrated nutrient and water management models,

Post-harvest value addition and market integration, and

Digital extension and capacity-building frameworks.

Participants emphasized that the integration of scientific innovations with ongoing central and state schemes would ensure synergistic growth, efficient resource utilization, and direct benefits to farmers.

Highlighting the vision of the university, Dr. D.R. Singh, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, BAU Sabour, stated —

“BAU Sabour is steadfast in its mission to bridge the gap between scientific research and field application. The district-level work plans being prepared under the Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhanya Kisan Yojana will serve as a scientific roadmap for developing resilient, profitable, and sustainable farming systems across Bihar. This initiative is fully aligned with the national goal of transforming agriculture through innovation, technology, and inclusive growth.”

Emphasizing the technical approach, Dr. A.K. Singh, Director of Research, BAU Sabour, remarked —

“This meeting marks an important step in operationalizing PM-DDKY in Bihar. The university will design a data-driven and farmer-centric action plan integrating productivity enhancement, profitability, and climate adaptability, ensuring that research outcomes directly contribute to field-level transformation.”

It was informed that seven districts of Bihar have been included under the PM-DDKY initiative, out of which Kishanganj, Nawada, and Banka have been assigned to BAU Sabour for developing district-specific technical work plans. Gaya district, which falls under the university’s jurisdiction, may also be included in subsequent phases on the recommendation of the State Government.

The meeting concluded with a decision to develop a comprehensive state-level integrated plan, synthesizing district-level diagnostics, field data, and expert recommendations. This consolidated plan will guide the implementation, monitoring, and impact assessment of the Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhanya Kisan Yojana across Bihar.

— Public Relations Cell, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour

Marking another step towards creating a digitally empowered and self-reliant campus

Marking another step towards creating a digitally empowered and self-reliant campus, the Vice-Chancellor of Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Sabour inaugurated the HDFC Smart Banking Lobby (SBL) at the university shopping complex today. The new facility is a part of the university’s continuous efforts to enhance service convenience for its students, faculty, staff, and residents. The inaugural ceremony witnessed the presence of Mr. Kundan Kaushal Kumar, Cluster Head, HDFC Bank, Bhagalpur; Mr. Saurav Chandra, Branch Manager, HDFC Bank, Nathnagar; and Mr. Ajnish Kumar, Branch Manager, HDFC Bank, Sabour Branch along with university officials and members of the campus community. The Smart Banking Lobby is equipped with state-of-the-art digital infrastructure that offers round-the-clock access to essential banking services such as cash deposit and withdrawal machines, cheque drop counters, passbook printing, and digital self-service kiosks. Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor appreciated HDFC Bank’s initiative and expressed that the Smart Banking Lobby would not only strengthen the digital ecosystem within the university but also contribute to a culture of ease, efficiency, and transparency. He emphasized that BAU, Sabour remains deeply committed to ensuring the well-being and convenience of its students, faculty, staff, and campus residents and the addition of such modern facilities is a reflection of that commitment.

बिहार कृषि विश्वविद्यालय में 'हिंदी पखवाड़ा' का आयोजन

बिहार कृषि विश्वविद्यालय, सबौर में 15 सितंबर से 'हिंदी पखवाड़ा' का शुभारंभ हुआ है। यह आयोजन विश्वविद्यालय के कुलपति डॉ. डी. आर. सिंह तथा छात्र कल्याण निदेशक डॉ. श्वेता संभवी के नेतृत्व में प्रारंभ हुआ है। यह पखवाड़ा 30 सितंबर 2025 तक मनाया जाएगा। इस आयोजन को सफल बनाने हेतु विभिन्न कार्यक्रमों जैसे हिंदी निबंध लेखन प्रतियोगिता, हिंदी कविता पाठ प्रतियोगिता, तथा हिंदी सुलेख प्रतियोगिता आदि का आयोजन किया जाएगा।

बिहार कृषि विश्वविद्यालय, सबौर के छात्र-छात्राएं इन कार्यक्रमों में सक्रिय रूप से भाग लेंगे। पखवाड़ा के पहले दिन हिंदी निबंध लेखन प्रतियोगिता का आयोजन किया गया, जिसमें विश्वविद्यालय के 20 उत्साही विद्यार्थियों ने भाग लिया। इस प्रतियोगिता का विषय था – ‘हमारे जीवन में हिंदी का महत्व’। विद्यार्थियों ने इस विषय पर अपने विचारों को निबंध के माध्यम से बड़े ही उत्साहपूर्वक व्यक्त किया।

यह पखवाड़ा कुल 15 दिनों तक चलेगा और अंतिम दिन प्रतिभागियों को निर्णायक मंडल द्वारा मूल्यांकन के आधार पर पुरस्कृत किया जाएगा।

Millet Corner Established at BAU, Sabour

Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, took a significant step towards promoting Shree Ann (millets) by establishing a dedicated Millet Corner on 26^th August 2025 in the Department of Food Science and Post-Harvest Technology. The facility was inaugurated by the District Magistrate of Bhagalpur in the presence of university officials, faculty, and students. The Millet Corner showcases a wide range of millet-based products, highlighting both display and production aspects. The initiative aims to sensitize stakeholders including students, researchers, farmers, and entrepreneurs about the nutritional, economic, and health benefits of millets and their value-added products. Speaking on the occasion, the District Magistrate appreciated the university’s efforts in aligning with the national priority of popularizing Shree Ann for food security and nutritional well-being. The Vice Chancellor, Dr. D.R. Singh, emphasized that the Millet Corner would serve as a platform for knowledge dissemination, skill development, and entrepreneurship promotion in the millet sector. The event was well attended by faculty members, students, and local stakeholders, who welcomed the initiative as a timely and impactful step towards mainstreaming millets in daily diets and encouraging value addition for enhanced livelihood opportunities.

Inauguration of Printing Cell at BAU, Sabour

Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, marked another milestone on 25^th August 2025 with the inauguration of its newly established Printing Cell by Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Dr. D.R. Singh. The state-of-the-art printing machine, installed within the office of the Registrar, BAU, Sabour, will significantly enhance the efficiency of academic and administrative work. The facility has been designed to cater to multiple needs of the university. It will primarily support the timely preparation of examination copies, ensuring smooth conduct of examinations across all constituent colleges. In addition, the Printing Cell will serve as a centralized unit for publishing official reports, documents, and publications of the university, thereby reducing dependence on external agencies and ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and cost-effectiveness. Speaking on the occasion, the Vice Chancellor emphasized that the Printing Cell is a step towards strengthening the university’s self-reliance and operational efficiency. The inauguration ceremony was attended by university officials, faculty members, and staff, who welcomed the initiative as a progressive move to support both academic and administrative excellence.

35th S.P. Raychaudhuri Memorial Lecture held at BAU, Sabour

The Sabour chapter of the Indian Society of Soil Science (ISSS) organized the 35th S.P. Raychaudhuri Memorial Lecture at Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Sabour, on 10th September 2025. The lecture was delivered by Dr. Priyabrata Santra, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CAZRI, Jodhpur, on the topic “Sustainable Soil and Water Management through Solar PV Interventions and Digital Solutions.” The programme, chaired by Dr. A.K. Sah, Dean (Agriculture), BAU, was also attended by university dignitaries, faculty members, students, and participants from across the country through hybrid mode. It commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Anshuman Kohli, President of the Sabour chapter of ISSS, followed by a report on chapter activities by Dr. K. Beura, an overview of Dr. S.P. Raychaudhuri’s contributions by Dr. Sunil Kumar, Secretary of the chapter, and the formal introduction of the guest speaker by Dr. B.P. Mondal. In his lecture, Dr. Santra emphasized the use of renewable energy and digital innovations in agriculture, including solar PV-based interventions, digital soil mapping and modelling, AI tools for soil property monitoring, sensor-based irrigation, digital soil health cards, and carbon farming. He stressed that these approaches are crucial for making farming more sustainable, resilient, and eco-friendly. The event concluded with a formal vote of thanks by Dr. A.K. Jha, Vice President, ISSS Sabour.

BAU Sabour Secures 36th Rank in NIRF 2025, Retains Its Position in Agriculture and Allied Sector

Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Sabour, has once again brought pride to the state by securing the 36th rank in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 under the category of Agriculture and Allied Sector. The university has successfully retained the same position it achieved in the 2024 rankings, marking its sustained presence among the leading agricultural institutions of the country. What makes this achievement particularly noteworthy is that BAU Sabour is the only state-funded university from Bihar to figure in the NIRF merit list under this category. The accomplishment underlines the institution’s consistent progress in agricultural education, research, and outreach, and sets an inspiring benchmark for other universities in the state.

BAU Cloth Bank Extends Relief to Flood-Affected Families at Sabour School Camp

The BAU Cloth Bank, Sabour, successfully organized a Cloth Donation and Relief Drive on 22nd August 2025 to support families severely affected by the recent floods and currently staying at the Sabour School Relief Camp. 

During the drive, a large collection of clothes was distributed to individuals of all age groups. In addition, fresh bananas and biscuits were provided as nutritional support to the camp residents. The banana and biscuits were generously sponsored by Dr. Ranjana Kumari and Dr. Prach Singh.

The initiative witnessed active participation from BAU students (Rishu Kumar singh, Pravej Alam, Ankit kumar, Manish kumar, Khushboo kumara, Sabir Ali, Hritik kumar, Md Ashif raza, Madan kumar), who played a vital role in sorting, and distributing items under the supervision of BAU Cloth Bank committee member faculty and volunteers. Their dedication ensured a smooth and dignified distribution process.

 “This initiative reflects our commitment to extending timely support to the community in times of crisis,” said Dr. Ansuman Kohli , Chairperson, BAU Cloth Bank “We deeply appreciate the contributions of our faculty and students for making this humanitarian effort possible.”

More than fifty families received essential supplies through this drive, bringing immediate comfort and hope to those displaced by floods.

The BAU Cloth Bank expresses gratitude to all donors and volunteers for their support and cooperation in making this initiative a success.

बीएयू, सबौर में ‘तिरंगा यात्रा’ का शानदार आयोजन 

 बिहार कृषि विश्वविद्यालय, सबौर में आज शाम 5:00 बजे ‘हर घर तिरंगा’ अभियान (2 अगस्त से जारी) के अंतर्गत एक भव्य तिरंगा यात्रा का आयोजन किया गया। यह कार्यक्रम निदेशालय छात्र कल्याण, राष्ट्रीय सेवा योजना इकाई, बिहार कृषि महाविद्यालय, सबौर एवं कृषि जैव प्रौद्योगिकी महाविद्यालय, सबौर के संयुक्त तत्वावधान में संपन्न हुआ।

कार्यक्रम की अध्यक्षता माननीय कुलपति डॉ. डी. आर. सिंह ने की। इस अवसर पर विश्वविद्यालय के अधिष्ठाता, निदेशक, प्राचार्य, विभागाध्यक्ष, वरीय पदाधिकारी, वैज्ञानिक, कर्मचारी, एनएसएस स्वयंसेवक एवं छात्र बड़ी संख्या में शामिल हुए। सभी प्रतिभागियों ने हाथों में तिरंगा लेकर परिसर में पदयात्रा की।

तिरंगा यात्रा का उद्देश्य नागरिकों, कर्मचारियों और छात्रों के मन में तिरंगे के प्रति सम्मान एवं श्रद्धा जागृत करना तथा देशभक्ति की भावना का प्रसार करना था। यात्रा के समापन पर गगनभेदी “भारत माता की जय” के नारों से वातावरण गुंजायमान हो उठा।

इस अवसर पर कुलपति डॉ. सिंह ने कहा, “तिरंगा हमारे गौरव, एकता और बलिदान का प्रतीक है। हमें इसका सम्मान करना चाहिए और देशभक्ति की यह भावना हर नागरिक तक पहुंचानी चाहिए।” उन्होंने आगामी स्वतंत्रता दिवस की शुभकामनाएं भी दीं।

कार्यक्रम में 150 से अधिक प्रतिभागियों ने उत्साहपूर्वक भाग लिया, जिससे यह आयोजन यादगार बन गया।

Explore potentials of AI to empower farmers

Governor-cum-chancellor of the state universities, Arif Mohammad Khan, asked the Bihar Agricultural University (BAU) and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) officials, in a meeting held at Raj Bhawan (Patna) on Saturday evening, to explore the potentials of Agricultural Informatics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) research to empower farmers, improve productivity and ensure sustainable farming practices across the state.

The high-level meeting focused on leveraging innovations in precision farming and enhancing agricultural productivity through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital tools was convened at Raj Bhawan. The BAU delegation that attended the meeting was led by vice chancellor D R Singh, senior scientists and faculty members C K Panda and Aditya Sinha. Representing CDAC were executive director Aditya Kumar Sinha (CDAC Patna and Mumbai), along with scientists Amarjeet Sharma, Vivek Kumar Yadav, and Sonal.

Talking to this newspaper on Monday, the BAU VC, while referring to the Bihar Governor's directives, said that the governor appreciated the importance of modern technologies and usage of AI in farming sectors including timely execution, field-level testing and capacity-building for farmers besides the stakeholders.

Khan urged the institutions to move swiftly towards piloting and scaling farming and scientific innovations to ensure that the benefits of technology reach every farmer in the state and to make Bihar a national leader in agri-tech innovations with combined collaboration between research institutions and government bodies, added the VC while referring to the governors' directives to them.

"As it is a new era in Indian agriculture through the convergence of AI and grassroots farming, we have the opportunity to revolutionize our practices for optimising farm produces through a resilient agricultural ecosystem and thereby enhance farmers' incomes," the BAU VC added.

The BAU and CDAC scientists also showcased a technical presentation including a series of innovative projects being developed in collaboration between CDAC and BAU to the governor.