Kedar unveils Rs 1,100 cr plan for MAFSU

By Vikas Vaidya :

Maharashtra Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (MAFSU) has prepared a proposal of its total facelift. The proposal is of whopping Rs 1,100 crore. During his first review meeting at MAFSU, Sunil Kedar, Minister of Animal Husbandry read the proposal prepared by its Vice-Chancellor Dr Ashish Paturkar and took decision to get it done in a grand manner. This proposal if implemented in a planned manner will change MAFSU completely. The proposal includes addition of several infrastructural facilities to conduct more job oriented courses to boost rural economy.

Kedar confirmed that he was giving final touches to this very ambitious plan to make MAFSU more relevant to rural life and agriculturists of the region. When contacted Kedar told ‘The Hitavada’, “During my visit to MAFSU, I ask MAFSU authorities to do out of the box thinking, beyond the traditional approach and bring major changes in the course content and structure by introducing several short term course through which rural youth can get meaningful employment. There is a vast scope in rural economy for such trained personnel and MAFSU can create a talent pool of trained youngsters to address the challenges of agricultural allied activities which can change the face of rural economy. “

“My concept is to encourage rural economy by giving thrust on “Gao Badlo Desh Badlo” and I want to go beyond slogans by actually providing much needed technical skills to rural youngsters so that poultry, goat farming, rearing, dairy schemes can be expanded in scientific manner,” elaborated Kedar. The proposal is more student-centric where apart from the buildings, the washrooms, common rooms, hostels, sports grounds, classrooms etc are included.

The plan will be implemented phase-wise manner, in four phases to be very precise. It will be completed within 4 to 5 years depending upon the way of funds to be made available by Government. But Kedar who is known as a fire-brand leader and great implementer would surely do it. The existing infrastructure of the University is barely equipped to take care of such a new facet and I want to develop several verticals on the line of trade-specific ITI’s which will make advanced courses of MAFSU even more attractive. Trained veterinary professionals are in great demand these days and we will also add more expertise in our faculty and invest in technology to take care of our future, Kedar pointed out. There are ten colleges in Maharashtra under MAFSU whose buildings have become old. Most of the colleges either would be renovated or constructed newly.

Two colleges belong to fisheries, two colleges of dairy development, one new college is coming up at Morshi. Akola has Post Graduate (PG). Now it has got Under Graduate sanctioned. The college at Mumbai is of 1886 and its building is in dilapidated condition. After listening to all these stories about MAFSU, Kedar asked MAFSU bosses not to go for small gain. “I will ensure that it is approved at the earliest with proper budgetary support and time-bound completion of projects and initiation of courses. I will ensure a sea change in perception about MAFSU and make it a vibrant place for rural economy and region like Vidarbha where allied activities can address the crucial issue of agrarian distress,” commented Kedar. Kedar also asked for information about success stories of varsities and asked for inclusion of subjects of changing climate, rainfall and reducing land holding of farmers. Similarly, varsity should lay stress on short term courses keeping an eye on empowering youth in rural hinterland to earn their living by passing on their knowledge to farmers. The varsity administration provided information about vacant posts, total land available with university and future construction plans etc.

Vet hospitals reconstructed MAFSU has five veterinary hospitals at Mumbai, Nagpur, Akola, Parbhani, Udgir. MAFSU procured funds to the tune of Rs 20 crore for the development of these hospitals. It got fund from Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojan (RKVY). Almost all the five hospitals are demolished and new construction is going on. At Nagpur near Alankar theatre, MAFSU is setting up multispecilty vet hospital. These hospitals will have equipment, and other modern facility. It will have landscapings too.