Editor,
Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I wish to highlight the growing concerns and disappointment of agricultural engineering graduates in our state.
Arunachal Pradesh is an agrarian state where over 70% of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihood. With abundant natural resources and diverse agro-climatic zones, agriculture remains central to the state’s socioeconomic development. Agricultural engineering can significantly enhance this sector by introducing modern irrigation systems, mechanisation, soil conservation techniques, post-harvest technology, and sustainable farming practices tailored to the region’s unique terrain and climate.
One of the most prestigious institutes in Arunachal Pradesh, the NERIST (North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology), is the only institute in the state that offers a degree course in agricultural engineering. Naturally, the majority of agricultural engineering graduates in our state have pursued their education at this premier institute. However, despite graduating from such a reputed institution, we are now facing a severe lack of employment opportunities within the state.
In many other Indian states, agricultural engineering graduates are eligible for various engineering and departmental posts, owing to the interdisciplinary nature of our course. Unfortunately, in Arunachal, we are eligible only for the posts of assistant engineer and junior engineer in the water resources department (WRD) and the rural works department (RWD), and that too without any reservation. Moreover, the syllabus for the junior engineer examination is unrelated to our discipline, which is both unjust and discriminatory.
This has caused a sense of helplessness and deep frustration among many capable and deserving graduates who are unable to find a suitable career path in the state, despite their technical qualifications.
I earnestly request the authorities concerned to recognise the relevance and importance of agricultural engineering in the state’s development, and to address this issue by expanding job eligibility for agricultural engineering graduates and providing fair and inclusive opportunities.
A concerned
agricultural
engineering graduate