Koraput, Oct 8: Students should adopt the mantra of “lead, innovate and create” to navigate the rapidly changing world and contribute meaningfully to society, said Subrat Kumar Pradhan, Director, Department of Higher Education, Union Ministry of Education, during an interaction with students of the Central University of Odisha (CUO), Koraput.

The interaction was presided over by CUO Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Ajit Kumar Shasany. Dean of Schools Prof. Narasingha Charan Panda, Head of the Department of Agriculture Dr. Manjushree Singh, faculty members and students were present.

Highlighting the changing dimensions of agriculture, Pradhan said the sector is no longer confined to traditional farming but is closely linked with food, nutrition, health, water, energy, environment, economy, technology and employment.

Emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, robotics, data science, precision farming and biotechnology, he said, are opening up new avenues for innovation, entrepreneurship and employment.

He urged students to identify specific challenges faced by farmers in the Koraput region and develop technology-driven solutions. Rather than restricting themselves to theoretical learning, students should test their ideas in the field, assess their effectiveness and explore possibilities for scaling up successful solutions for wider social benefit, he said.

Pradhan encouraged students to explore ways of integrating modern scientific knowledge with traditional agricultural practices and to identify opportunities to increase farmers’ incomes across the undivided Koraput-Balangir-Kalahandi (KBK) region.

He also called upon them to develop innovative products using locally available crops and agricultural resources and create enterprises that generate employment instead of merely seeking jobs.

Drawing attention to the region’s rich indigenous agricultural resources, he encouraged students to explore opportunities in product development, value addition, branding, marketing and promotion. Such initiatives, he said, could transform local resources into sustainable economic opportunities while addressing the needs of farmers and local communities.

Emphasising the importance of strong academic foundations, multidisciplinary learning and practical skills, Shasany urged students to explore emerging opportunities in startups and entrepreneurship.

He encouraged them to apply their academic knowledge to address challenges faced by farmers, communities and society at large.

The interaction provided students with an opportunity to share their views and engage in discussions on innovation, agriculture, entrepreneurship and the role of youth in driving social change and regional development.