"The Challenges before you are immense but so is your potential. Dream boldly, face fears courageously, and persevere ruthlessly. Every expert was once a beginner, every leader started at the bottom and every success story begins with a challenge," said Executive Director of Council for Leather Exports (CLE) R.Selvam at the 45th Convocation ceremony of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University on Tuesday.

It was presided over by Governor of Tamil Nadu R.N.Ravi. Mr. R.Selvam took part as the Chief Guest and presented the degree certificates to 4434 candidates in the presence of Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof.V.Geethalakshmi. The Vice Chancellor in her address said that TNAU keeps an eye on sustainability in food production, soil and environment.

"TNAU is undertaking massive efforts on profiling the health parameters and microbiome of all the soil types of Tamil Nadu which will help in designing soil rejuvenation strategies. TNAU attracted Rs. 10 Crore funding support from Gates Foundation, USA for developing Biostimulants Efficacy Testing Structure. Preliminary findings indicate possibility of reducing 25 – 30% of chemical fertilizers by using biofertilizers," she remarked.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Guest, Mr.Selvam appealed the graduates to transform the future of agriculture with their knowledge.He urged them to ensure no child knows hunger, no farmer faces ruin and no soil loses vitality.

"When you improve a seed, you change a nation. When you transform a farming practice, you nourish generations," he said.