Jotirmay Thapliyal

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 8

Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was on Sunday conferred with the honorary title of Doctor of Science (Honoris causa) at the Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, here.

Addressing a gathering during a convocation at the university, the Nepalese Prime Minister described India and Nepal as predominantly agricultural economies. He said although two-thirds of Nepal’s population depended on agriculture, the sector’s contribution to the country’s economy was not as significant.

He sought the research expertise of the university in his endeavour to revolutionise agriculture in his country.

Oli said two agricultural universities had been set up in Nepal, but expertise of research faculty of the Pantnagar university would be needed to strengthen these institutions, which were at a preliminary stage. He stressed the need to establish a rapport with India and the Pantnagar university for research and faculty-based exchange programmes.

Referring to a long-term relationship between India and Nepal, Oli said the Nepal Government and its people needed to join hands with the Indian populace to eliminate poverty.

Oli also appreciated the university management for its contribution in the sphere of agriculture.

Governor KK Paul, who conferred the honorary degree on the Nepalese Prime Minister, said both India and Nepal had much in common and people- to-people contact between the two countries was very old.

Paul said it was a coincidence that the Pantnagar university was in close geographical proximity to Nepal and was working in similar conditions.

He suggested that the university and the Nepal Government could work together in the fields of horticulture and herbal farming.

Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said Uttarakhand and Nepal had close relations since both share proximity in food, culture and other matters.