Question : Setting up of New Agricultural Universities

(a) the number of agricultural universities functioning in the country, State/UT-wise;

(b) whether the Government has any proposal to establish new agricultural universities in different parts of the country;

(c) if so, the details, locations thereof and the present status thereof;

(d) the amount sanctioned for the said purpose by the Government, State/UT-wise and the time by which these universities are likely to start functioning;

(e) whether the Government is also considering to set up Horticultural Universities and Skill Development Centres for farmers in different States including Karnataka for the benefit of farmers; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the time by which these universities/centres are likely to be set up?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
(SHRI MOHANBHAI KALYANJIBHAI KUNDARIYA)

(a) List of 69 Agricultural Universities (State/ UT wise) is enclosed (Annexure - I).

(b) Agricultural education including higher agricultural education is a state subject. However, Central Government has decided to setup a Central Agricultural University, Barapani (Meghalaya). During the Budget presentation in the Lok Sabha in the year 2014-15, Hon’ble Finance Minister, Govt. of India announced for establishment of Agricultural University in the State of Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan.

(c) & (d):

1. 200 acres of land at Kyrdemkulai in Ri-Bhoi District has been possessed by DARE (Govt. of India) from Govt. of Meghalaya for setting up a CAU, Barapani, Meghalaya.
2. As per the budget announcement, the financial support has been extended for a State Agricultural University i.e. ‘Establishment of new Agricultural University in the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh’ at Lam Village in Guntur district and the foundation stone has been laid on 16.11.2015. Department of Agricultural Research and Education released Rs. 10.00 crore in the financial year 2014-15 and Rs 74,99,81,675 was released in the financial year 2015-16.
3. As per the budget announcement, Government of Rajasthan has identified land for establishing State Agricultural University in Baran, Jhalawad Districts. An amount of Rs. 5 crore has been kept for Agriculture University, Rajasthan during the year 2016-17 at BE stage.

(e) During the Budget presentation in the Lok Sabha in the year 2014-15, Hon’ble Finance Minister, Govt. of India announced for establishment of Horticultural University in the State of Telangana and Haryana.

The ICAR has set up a network of 642 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in the country including Karnataka state, aiming at technology assessment, demonstration and capacity development of farmers. As part of their activities, the KVKs organize skill oriented training programmes for farmers and rural youth. In order to focus on skill development of rural youth, the ICAR has launched a project on Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture (ARYA) in 2015 in 22 states including Karnataka through KVKs, one selected KVK from one district of each state. These selected KVKs have identified 200-300 rural youths for their skill development and taking up entrepreneurial activities by establishing micro-enterprise units. The trained youths shall function as role model for other youths in adoption of agri-based enterprises. The state wise list of district/KVKs is enclosed (Annexure – II).

(f) (i) A notification dated 22.12.2014 was issued by the Government of Telangana for establishment of Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University and the Government of Telangana has communicated that an area of about 500 ha has been identified at Mulugu, Medak District in Telangana State. Department of Agricultural Research and Education released Rs. 10.00 crore in the financial year 2014-15 and Rs 74,99,73,160 was released in the financial year 2015-16.
(ii) Government of Haryana has identified lands for establishing State Horticultural University in Karnal with three regional stations one at Village B-Raiyya Jhajjar, Second at Jind and third at Village Dera near Kala Amb in Nariangarh, Dist. Ambala. An amount of Rs. 5.00 crore has been kept for Horticulture University, Haryana during the year 2016-17 at BE stage.


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