Question : MODERNISATION OF AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITIES

(a) the list of Agricultural Universities in the country and their emerging role in the economic growth and development of agriculture sector, State-wise;

(b) whether the Government has received any proposal for modernization of various Agriculture Universities including Dr. Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa in Bihar so as to expedite agricultural research works and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether ultra modern laboratory facilities are available to the researchers so that they do not have to face problems in advance research for want of various technologies in the Agricultural Universities;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the number of research posts lying vacant in the Agricultural Universities at present and the steps taken by the Government to fill up these vacancies?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a) The List of agricultural universities is appended as Annexure-I.

Emerging Role of AUs in the Economic Growth and Development of Agriculture Sector:
Indian agriculture is presently at the cross-roads. During the 10th and 11th Five-year Plans, the agriculture growth has been about 2.8 and 3.5%, respectively, which is below the targeted 4% growth. Since economic growth of India, is agriculture driven, it is of paramount importance to propel it by using new technologies and strategies. Skilled human resource is a key to addressing new challenges. World over the technologies are changing very fast and in the back drop of the Intellectual Property Rights and other trade related issues, it is necessary that an innovative approach is put in place for producing globally competitive skilled human resources. The skilled manpower should develop cutting edge technologies and must bring about major transformation in agriculture for getting higher economic returns to the farming community with comparatively low investment. Application of new knowledge in science and technology will become prime infuser of sustainable surge in agricultural production and productivity across diverse agro-ecologies of the country. Additionally, regional inequalities in development coupled with rise in natural resources degradation, climate change, increasing population,opening of global economy have brought new daunting challenges. All these circumstancesmake it imperative for AUs to play a vital role in a way that it satisfies the expectationsof all stakeholders (students for employability and higher academics, farm men and women for liveli- hood security, farmers for new knowledge and skills and country for economic growth and inter national obligations) and concerns of sustainability and profitability in agriculture.

(b) A centrally sponsored plan scheme “Strengthening and Development of Higher Agricultural Education in India”, is being proposed in XII Plan for maintaining and upgrading quality and relevance of higher agricultural education. The proposals are received from various universities from time to time. The EFC of the scheme for XII Plan is under process and allocations to the AUs including RAU, Pusa will be made as per approval.

(c) & (d): Agricultural Education being a State subject, SAUs are being supported by respective State Governments. However, partial support is being provided under the Plan scheme of the Education Division “Strengthening and Development of Higher Agricultural Education in India”.

(e) Agricultural Education being a State subject, the filling up of vacancies in the AUs is under the purview of respective State Governments. However, as per the information available about 36% positions are vacant.