Question : Agricultural Colleges

(a) whether the number of agricultural colleges in the country is much lesser as compared to the number of engineering/medical colleges, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(b) the number of agricultural colleges functioning at present in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra;
(c) whether the Union Government has received several proposals from Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra for setting up of Agricultural Universities/Colleges;
(d) if so, the details thereof including the number of proposals received during the last three years along with the action taken thereon;
(e) the details of research undertaken by agricultural colleges during each of the last three years and the current year and its contribution in promotion of the agricultural sector; and
(f) whether the Government is taking any efforts through the Indian Council of Agricultural Research to ensure employability and quality of graduates produced by various agricultural universities and colleges in the country and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
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(a) A total of three hundred fifty-seven (357) colleges of agriculture and its allied subject governed by Agriculture Universities (AUs) exist in the country

The agriculture including agricultural education is a state subject, therefore, state governments establish agriculture universities/ colleges as per their own requirement.

(b) The number of constituent agricultural colleges of AUs presently functioning in the states of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra are 22 and 41 respectively.

(c) & (d): Two references from Hon’ble Members of Parliament have been received for setting up of Agricultural Universities/Colleges in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra during last three years. These references have been examined and appropriately replied.

(e) Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)- Agricultural University System has carried out research in diverse areas of agriculture during last three years and current year resulting in achieving food security and improved nutrition, high quality seeds, sustainable agriculture through development of newer and better varieties and increased yield and productivity, reducing climate change impact, adaptation policies, new animal vaccines, better breeds in poultry, milch animals, waste reduction aligning with the on-going development programs, awareness among stakeholders. Apart from the above, the agricultural colleges/universities have produced quality manpower in the field of agriculture and allied areas who contributed a lot towards agricultural research in the Country.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) along with AUs has contributed to the science-led growth and development of agriculture in the country. The high yielding varieties of field crops and horticultural crops have been the hallmark of the Council that contribute to food and nutritional security of the country. Taking this effort forward, 562 new varieties of field crops were released during the last two years. Through various research and technology initiatives in agriculture enabled the country to increase the production of food grains by 5.6 times, horticultural crops by 10.5 times, fish by 16.8 times, milk by 10.4 times and eggs by 52.9 times thus making a visible impact on the national food and nutritional security. It has played a major role in promoting excellence in research and higher education in agriculture.

(f) Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has established 485 experiential learning units with a state of art facilities to encourage the graduates for self-employment and entrepreneurship. Placement cell has also been established in each university for better employability.

The Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE) provides ‘Accreditation’ to university /institution/ organization or faculty/ college/ school of agriculture of the institution or any course/ programme/ degree offered by such institutions in agriculture and allied subject for quality assurance in higher agricultural education.
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