Lok Sabha Question No. 2610 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-10
Subject: Shortage of Agricultural Colleges
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: K. C. VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2610

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 10/05/2016

## SHORTAGE OF AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES

## 2610.  SHRI K.C. VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f"k vkSj fdlku dY;k.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that lack of agricultural colleges in the country is posing a huge deterrent in producing quality professionals who can usher in new ideas in agriculture sector;
- (b) if  so,  the  actions  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  development  of  scientific research in agriculture sector;
- (c) whether the Government is taking any efforts under Indian Council of Agricultural Research to ensure employability and quality of graduates produced by various agricultural universities and colleges in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f'k vkSj fdlku dY;k.k ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h

(DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

- (a) Agriculture including  agricultural education  being a State  subject,  the  agricultural universities/colleges work  under the administrative control of the concerned State governments.    Assessment  of  quality  professionals  in  agriculture  and  requirement  of agricultural colleges, therefore, falls under the domain of States.
- (b) The  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  through  its  Plan  Scheme, 'Strengthening  and  Development  of  Higher  Agricultural  Education  in  India' provides support in specific niche areas in competitive mode to improve the quality of research and for  attaining  excellence  in  specific  strategic  areas  in  education  and  research  in  the Universities. The  aim  is  to  strengthen  agricultural  education  and  research  through excellence in teaching, research, capacity building & other services in specific field.

(c) & (d): To ensure quality of agricultural education in the country following measures have been taken by the ICAR:-

-  Accreditation is done  to ensure the quality of higher agricultural education in Agricultural Universities (AUs) and its constituent colleges.
-  Revision  of  courses  curricula  from  time  to  time  to  assure  the  quality  of  Agricultural Education.
-  To promote Higher Agricultural Education in the country, attract and retain the talent and  reduce  the  inbreeding  in  agricultural  education,  ICAR  conducts  the  All  India Entrance  Examination  for  Admission  (AIEEA-UG)  for  15%  seats  in  Bachelor  degree programmes,  25%  seats  each  in  Masters  and  Ph.D.  degree  programmes.    The  ICAR awards  National  Talent  Scholarship  (NTS)  in  Agriculture  &  Allied  Science  subjects (other than Veterinary Science) for pursuing Masters' programme and  Senior Research Fellowships for pursuing Ph.D. degree programmes in Agriculture & Allied Sciences in Universities under ICAR-AU system.

*******