Two announcements made by Sri. KV Thomas, Union Minister of State for Agriculture at the venue of inauguration of the new Kerala University for Fisheries and Ocean Studies on 20th February 2011 should create interest and enthusiasm among those in the animal husbandry sector. The first one is a morale booster that it acknowledges the contribution of animal husbandry and fisheries sectors that amounts to a growth rate of 8% while that of agricultural sector is trailing at 4.42%. The Minister was hopeful that the Prime Minister is considering a proposal to set up a separate ministry for Animal Husbandry and Fisheries which would eventually promote the growth of both the sectors. The second announcement by Sri.S.Sharma, Minister for Fisheries (Kerala) that 25% of the seats at the new Fisheries University will be earmarked for the children of fishermen will naturally raise a question that if that is the case with fisheries, why not the same privilege be extended to the children of dairy farmers at the new Veterinary University.
Comments
Seats to the concerned
It is very important that the children of dairy farmers are to be considered for animal husbandry sector courses if they choose and the children of fishermen should be considered for the courses of fisheries
GIGI
Right mindset is the need
Selected persons should have the right mind set, otherwise reservations will do more harm than good
Aptitude test
It is heard that they are introducing an aptitude test for veterinary course. It is an action in the right direction.
Separate ministry for Animal Husbandry and Fisheries
This will pave the way for spectacular growth in livestock and fisheries sector in the country.
A welcome move indeed..
When KAU was inaugurated it was heard that Shri C Achutha Menon the CM insisted that the children of farmers should get seats in KAU. It is high time that children of Livestock Farmers should get preference in our courses. The attitude and aptitude counts a lot in the sustenance of any profession. An ardent love and desire for a vocation counts a lot. But then who will decide who is a farmer? certificates issued by the existing administrative structure may at times fail in that venture. Looming food scarcity may compel us to be truthful.
Dr Francis Xavier Ph.D
Professor Farms ,KVASU
e mail: fx@jananeethi.org