"India is one of the youngest nations in the world with more than 62 per cent of its population in the working age group (15-59 years) and around 54 per cent below 25 years of age", said Mahapatra speaking as the chief guest at the 20th convocation of Assam Agricultural University at Jorhat.
"The secondary and tertiary sectors will be the main driving force for the Indian economy to grow at 8 to 9 per cent and this skill development is mandatory.
"Prime Minister's Kaushal Vikash Yojana aims to link the aptitude, aspiration and knowledge of the skilled workforce. It creates employment opportunities and demands in the market", said Mahapatra, who is also Union Secretary in the Department of Agricultural Research and Education.
The ICAR- Director General also said that the government has acted upon an ambitious target to train 400 million people by 2022 to meet the upcoming challenges and 18 Union ministries are engaged in various skill development and employment generation programmes.
"Now it is the golden opportunity for this region to secure a prime position in the agricultural business centric, bio-economy pursuing organic mode," the ICAR DG added.
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