College of Agriculture, Pune
The College of Agriculture, Pune is a college for studies and research in the field of Agriculture situated in Pune, India. It is affiliated to Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth. The College of Agriculture, Pune is one of the first five agricultural colleges established in India. In 1969, the College was transferred to the Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri established in that year. The B.Sc.(Hort.) and PG programme was started in the year 1984 and 1985 respectively. The MBM (Agri.) programme was started in the year 2008. The University headquarter is located in Rahuri, Dist. Ahmednagar 160  km to the north of Pune. At the heart of the culturally rich and prosperous Pune,where the century-old College of Agriculture, the constituent College of the Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri is located. Pune with a population of 2.5 million is the second-largest city in Maharashtra State. Since time immemorial, Pune has been a renowned educational and celebrated cultural centre and cultural capital of Maharashtra. The Maratha Kingdom was founded by the great king Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj around Pune in 1676 A.D. The weather of Pune is very pleasant with maximum temperature ranging from 200C to 320C.  The College of Agriculture is very close to the Bus and Railway stations and about 10 km from the Lohgaon airport. The city is well connected to other metropolis of the country by road, rail and air. The Department of Agriculture was established at the center in 1877 followed by setting of similar departments by the provinces. It was soon realised that research and education are the very foundations for the development of agriculture. Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, the noted thinker, social reformer and agriculturist of Pune appealed, persuaded and convinced the British Government to set up institutions for agricultural education  and research in India. This led to the opening of a branch for teaching agriculture in the College of Science at Pune in 1879 that was subsequently developed into a separate College of Agriculture in 1908. The main building with its grand dome, beautiful entrance hall, library, herbarium and laboratories for teaching and research in Agriculture, Botany, Mycology and Economics was ready in 1911 and was inaugurated by Lord Sydenham, the Governor of Bombay. NSS UNIT : Programme officer's:Dr.Dipak Sawale sir, Dr. N.D.Tamboli Sir Best volunteer of Maharashtra state :Shailesh Jogdand. Best volunteer of college :Pranal Gaikwad. History. Mahatma  Jyotiba Phule was instrumental in establishing the college which started as just a branch of agriculture at College of Science in Pune in 1879. Years later, in 1907, the branch was transformed into a full-fledged college, known as College of Agriculture, Pune. It was here that the Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth was formed, which was later shifted to Rahuri. The Land for Agriculture College was given by the very well known Shiledar Shirole (Patil) family of Shivajinagar Pune who were Patil (Village Chief, Head of the Village) of the then Village Bhamburde Present Shivajinagar Area Pune and Shiledar (Warriors ) of the then Maratha Empire. As a result of the establishment of the Department of Agriculture at the national level and at the provinces, the realization that research and education are the very foundations for the development of agriculture dawned on the minds of the administrators, educationists, social reformers and thinkers. Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, the noted thinker, social reformer and agriculturist of Pune appealed to the British Government to set institutions for agricultural education and research in India. This led to the opening of a branch for teaching agriculture in the College of Science at Pune in 1879 that was  subsequently developed into a separate College of Agriculture in 1907. Initially three year diploma of the Bombay University was offered. In 1899 a degree course leading to Licentiate in Agriculture (L.Ag.) was started. The Bombay University in the year 1909 further extended the scope of these studies, raised the standards and instituted the degree of Bachelor of Agriculture (B.Ag.). Its nomenclature was changed to Bachelor of Science in Agriculture [B.Sc.(Agri.)] and the first batch of graduates with this degree passed out in 1937. The College of Agriculture, Pune is one of the first five agriculture colleges established in India. From  its very inception, there has been a close co-ordination between research and teaching. After establishment of Maharashtra Agricultural University in the year 1968, the College of Agriculture, Pune was transferred to the University as a constituent college. In 1969, the College was transferred to the Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (Agricultural University), Rahuri established in that year. The B.Sc.(Hort.) degree programme was started in the year 1984. The University headquarters are located in Rahuri, Dist. Ahmednagar 160 km to the north of Pune. Historical Perspectives at Glance 1899 Bombay University started Licentiate in Agriculture (L.Ag.) Degree Course. 1905 A fine  site of 150 acres of farm land selected close to the College of Science 1907 College was housed temporarily in the building at Kirkee 1908 Starting of separate College of Agriculture on January 01 1908 and Degree course of Bachelor of Agriculture (B.Ag.) 1909 Degree course of Bachelor of Agriculture (B.Ag.) recognized by Bombay University. The construction of laboratory block completed where the Chemistry Section is now housed. 1911 Construction work of main imposing building of the college was completed. 1916 Post – Graduate Degree course of Master of Agriculture (M.Ag.) was started. 1934 The nomenclature of B.Ag. Degree was changed  to Bachelor of Science in Agriculture B.Sc.(Agri.) degree. 1937 First Batch of B.Sc. (Agri.) degree programme was passed out from the College of Agriculture Pune. 1948 The college of Agriculture affiliated to the Poona University. 1950 Four year degree programme after Matriculation was started. 1959 Four year degree course in Agriculture was started after Pre- degree University Examination of Pune University. 1968 The college was affiliated to the Maharashtra Agricultural University. 1969 The college was constituent college of the Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth 1972 Trimester System of education was started. 1976 Semester system of education was started. 1980 First batch  of semester system obtained B.Sc. (Agri.) degree. 1983 The RAWE programme was started in the VII semester of degree course. 1985 Commencement of Postgraduate Degree Programme 2000 Establishment of Hi-Tech Vegetable & Floriculture Project 2007 Introduction of new syllabus & inclusion of Hands-on-Training and Experiential Learning programme in the final year of degree course. 2008 Commencement of MBA in Agriculture 2008 Establishment of Biotechnology and Bio-control Laboratories. External Links. Official Website