SHILLONG, Nov. 4 -- President Ram Nath Kovind has stressed that institutions of higher education like NEHU can be instruments of social and economic transformation. With more than 80 per cent population of Meghalaya dependent on agriculture, he suggested that NEHU can play a 'catalytic role' in promoting socio-economic development of Meghalaya and the North-East by improving agricultural productivity.He said the students and teachers of NEHU's departments of 'Rural Development and Agricultural Production', 'Agri Business and Food Technology', and 'Horticulture' can help enhance farmers' income.

The President, who was on his maiden visit to the state, was addressing the 26th Convocation of the University which conferred degrees to a total...