Question : AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

(a) whether the Government has reviewed the status of agricultural education in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof including the areas in which the country is lagging behind in the field of agricultural education alongwith the proposals received by the Government in this regard;

(c) the funds allocated/assistance provided under the schemes for Agricultural Education;

(d) whether the Government has formulated any comprehensive scheme on the basis of the said proposals;and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) to (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 334 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17/08/2010 REGARDING “AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION”

(a) Yes, Madam.

(b) Agriculture being a State subject in India, higher agricultural education is supported and monitored by the state governments.The DARE/ICAR, however, aids, guides and coordinates higher agricultural education in the country by activities such as (i) providing limited financial support to them; (ii) organizing the annual Vice Chancellors’ conference; (iii) accreditation for quality assurance;(iv) hosting Deans’ Committees for revision of academic norms, standards and course curricula; (v) holding an all India examination that provides quality students from across the country to the extent of 15% and 25 % for undergraduate and post-graduate courses, respectively of the total student strength of the university.

Agricultural education in India is well regarded, and attracts about 250 international students annually.

Filling up of vacant posts, greater accountability of the faculty, better interaction of universities with state governments, measuring research output that could attract non-governmental funding, greater financial support from the state Govts., are some of the areas that need improvement in the field of higher agricultural education.

(c) The funds provided under the scheme for ‘Strengthening and Development of Higher Agricultural Education in India’ during the years 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 are Rs.35424.50, Rs. 37315.13 and Rs.42402.58 lakhs, respectively.

(d) & (e): Although the State Agricultural Universities draw policy and financial support from the respective state governments, the ICAR provides professional and limited financial support for specific activities under a centrally sponsored scheme ‘Strengthening and Development of Higher Agricultural Education in India’. Such financial support enables them partially in(i) maintaining quality of teaching facilities and upgrading learning materials and environment;(ii) conducting post-graduate research; (iii) building faculty competence, and (iv) ensuring timeliness in admissions and conduct of practical training in a laboratory or field.