The Bihar government and Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up a central university, the Rajendra Agricultural University (RAU), at Pusa in Samastipur district.
Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh and Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi today oversaw the signing of the MoU at a function organised here.
Expressing happiness on the occasion, Singh said, "A full-fledged central agricultural university was a long pending demand of the state and it will prove to be a blessing for the farmers and people. It will lead to prosperity in the lives of small and poor cultivators. I will ask ICAR officials to expedite the work to establish the university."
The Union Minister pointed out that agricultural productivity of Bihar was highest in pre-Independence era and the new university would help in reclaiming the state's lost glory.
The Centre has already approved a proposal to provide Rs 400 crore under the 12th Five Year Plan towards this purpose, he said.
