Question : SETTING UP OF RESEARCH PROJEC

(a) the details of the norms/procedure adopted for setting up of new Agricultural Universities/research centres in the country;

(b) whether the Government is contemplating to set up various agricultural universities, research centres in various States of the country;

(c) if so, the details thereof, State-wise, location- wise along with the funds allocated by the Government so far to various States;

(d) whether the Government is aware of the receding number of students in agriculture stream each year;

(e) if so, the details thereof during the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise including Rajasthan; and

(f) whether the Government proposes to prepare a new action plan for augmenting production in agriculture and rejuvenate the interest of students for research in other fields and agriculture related studies and open agricultural universities and research centres especially in backward areas if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a) Agriculture including agriculture education being a State subject, setting up of State Agricultural Universities comes under the purview of the respective State Governments.

However, an initiative has been taken by Government of India for setting up Central Agricultural Universities. In this context, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), with the approval of the competent authority (Agriculture Minister), has constituted a committee to frame detailed guidelines for establishment of Central Agricultural University in the Country. Opening of new research centres is based on the specific research problem of the country/region that solve the problem in wider perspective.

(b) & (c): Agriculture including agriculture education being a State subject setting up of agricultural universities in states of the country comes under the purview of respective State Governments.

However, in the Annual Union Budget (2014-15) the Finance Minister, Government of India, has announced to establish one agricultural university each in the States of Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan and one Horticultural university each in the States of Telangana and Haryana. A provision of Rs. 200 crore was kept for these Universities in current financial year. Further, an announcement for establishment of two Agricultural Research Institutes in the States of Assam and Jharkhand on the pattern of Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi has also been made in the Union Budget (2014-15) and an initial allocation of Rs. 100.00 crores has been made for this purpose. During 12th Five Year Plan two Central Agricultural Universities (CAUs) one each in Bihar and Barapani (Meghalaya) will be opened with budgetary provision of Rs. 10 and 1 Crore respectively.

There is also a proposal for establishing National Research Centre (NRC) on Integrated Farming at Motihari, Bihar during 12th Plan with a proposed out lay of Rs. 30.00 Crores. Two research centres one of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi at Digha, West Bengal and a centre of Central Institute of Brackishwater Acquaculture (CIBA), Chennai at Navsari, Gujarat are to be opened with a proposed out lay of Rs. 1.75 and 0.45 Crores, respectively.

(d) & (e): Undergraduate courses in agriculture and allied disciplines offered by State Agricultural Universities include 15% all India quota which is filled by ICAR based on all India entrance examination. From the trends available (ANNEXURE-I) for number of applicants from various States/UTs appeared in All India Entrance Examination conducted by the ICAR to fill up 15% of the seats in State Agricultural Universities, the number over the years has increased indicating growing interest of students in Agriculture Stream.

(f) To attract and sustain the interest of youth in agriculture ICAR provides Stipend and Fellowships/ assistance under various programmes both at under graduate (UG) and post graduate (PG) level viz. Rural Awareness Work Experience (RAWE) and National Talent Scholarships for the UG students, Senior and Junior Research Fellowships for PG and UG students, respectively, Experiential Learning Modules for developing entrepreneurship skills among UG students and assistance in the form of fellowship for global exposure of the agriculture students are being provided. These programmes are being further strengthened and expanded during the 12th Plan.