National Workshop on Climate Change and Youth in Agriculture Begins in Patna

On Wednesday, a two-day nationwide workshop on youth involvement in agriculture and climate change began at the BAMETI Auditorium in Patna. More than 100 agricultural experts from Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) throughout the nation convened the event, which was organized by ICAR-ATARI Patna Zone, to talk about methods for sustainable farming and youth-driven agricultural development.

The workshop was officially inaugurated by Dr. U.S. Gautam, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension) at ICAR, and Dr. N. Vijayalakshmi, Additional Chief Secretary of Bihar’s Animal and Fisheries Resources Department.

The discussions focused on enabling rural youth to prevent urban migration by developing long-term livelihood prospects in agriculture. The ARYA (Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture) project, which has been aiding rural youth since 2016, was cited as a vital program for developing jobs in agriculture and associated areas.

Participants also discussed options for combating climate change through integrated agricultural systems that incorporate agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and poultry farming to diversify revenue sources. Efforts to improve KVKs were stressed, with intentions to replace empty jobs and expand their duties under a new policy framework. Agriculture Science Centers were regarded as critical to achieving India’s agricultural goals.

Bihar’s dairy sector also featured, with its growing potential highlighted during the event. While COMFED has developed the capacity to process 50 lakh litres of milk daily, the state’s overall milk production exceeds 125 lakh metric tons annually. Experts called for greater support to promote agripreneurship and encourage young people to participate in agriculture and allied industries.
The workshop aims to find practical solutions for climate-resilient farming and to inspire youth to take an active role in transforming Indian agriculture. Senior officials, including agricultural scientists and experts from ICAR, were present to contribute insights and discuss actionable plans.