How Agricultural Education is Shaping the Nation’s Future
How Agricultural Education is Shaping the Nation’s Future
Dr.Sajad H.Parey
Dr.Waseem Ahmad
The Ancient Roots of Agricultural Wisdom
India’s relationship with agriculture goes back centuries. In fact, it was part of the curriculum at ancient universities like Nalanda and Takshila. A 2021 policy paper from the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) highlights how early Indian education systems placed high value on farming knowledge.
This isn’t surprising. Agriculture wasn’t seen as just manual labor—it was respected as both science and art.
India’s formal agricultural education began in 1877 with the Agricultural College at Saidapet in Madras (now Chennai). The establishment of the Imperial Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) at Pusa in 1905 marked a major shift toward science-based farming.
By 1947, India had only 17 agricultural colleges and one agricultural engineering college. That changed rapidly after independence. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan’s University Education Commission called for rural universities and robust agricultural education to support India’s food security.
The Rise of a National Agricultural Education System
A turning point came in 1958 when IARI was granted “Deemed to be University” status. It could now offer postgraduate degrees, opening new avenues for research and academic excellence.
Today, India’s National Agricultural Research and Education System (NARES), led by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), is the largest of its kind in the world. Built on the U.S. Land Grant model, it integrates education, research, and field extension into a single, powerful ecosystem.
- 75 Agricultural Universities
- 69 All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs)
- 800+ Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
These institutions are not just teaching students—they are driving innovation, sustainability, and rural empowerment.
Diversification: Beyond the Basics of Farming
Agricultural education in India is no longer limited to crop science. Today, students can study:
- Horticulture
- Forestry
- Veterinary Sciences
- Food Technology
- Home Science
- Agri-business Management
- Climate-Smart Agriculture
Both public and private institutions offer these courses. While State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) are funded by their respective governments and ICAR, Central Agricultural Universities (CAUs) receive direct funding from ICAR.
Regulatory bodies like the Veterinary Council of India (VCI) and the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) manage discipline-specific standards.
Courses Offered and Academic Strength
India’s agricultural universities currently offer:
- 11 Undergraduate disciplines
- 96 Postgraduate specializations
- 73 Doctoral programs
(Source: Soam et al., 2021)
And the student intake has grown dramatically—from fewer than 5,000 students in 1960 to over 64,000 today. This shows a growing awareness that agriculture is no longer a “backup career”—it’s a front-line profession of the future.
The Role of Extension: Connecting Research to Rural India
One of the strengths of India’s agri-education system is its focus on extension education.
Through Krishi Vigyan Kendras, the latest research reaches the hands of farmers—whether it’s on pest-resistant seeds, water-saving techniques, or drone-based crop monitoring. This three-way connection between research, education, and extension is critical for real-world impact.
Challenges Still Plow the Path Ahead
Despite progress, challenges remain:
- Curriculum Updates: Rapid tech advances require constant syllabus modernization.
- Faculty Shortages: Many institutions face recruitment and retention issues.
- Funding and Infrastructure: Lab facilities, internet access, and field equipment are uneven across regions.
- Perception Problem: Agriculture is still seen as less glamorous than tech or finance careers.
To compete globally, India must make agriculture aspirational for youth—through success stories, global exposure, and better career incentives.
The Way Forward: Cultivating the Next Generation
The future of agriculture isn’t just about producing more—it’s about producing better, with less impact on the environment.
This demands:
- Climate-smart education programs
- Tech-enabled learning (AI, IoT, GIS)
- International collaboration
- Stronger industry-academia partnerships
Agricultural education must rise to meet these needs, turning students into change-makers, researchers, and entrepreneurs who will lead India into a food-secure, sustainable future.
“To forget how to dig the earth and tend the soil is to forget ourselves.” – Mahatma Gandhi
A Sector Worth Sowing Into
From ancient fields to high-tech labs, India’s agricultural journey is a powerful one. With the right education, talent, and technology, we’re well-positioned to lead the world in sustainable agriculture.
But to get there, we must invest not just in crops, but in people.
Because agriculture doesn’t just feed us—it employs us, empowers us, and sustains us.
And the next revolution in food security won’t start in a field—it will start in a classroom.
About the Authors:
Dr. Sajad H. Paray
The Author is working as Sr. Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah, University Rajouri and can be reached at sajadzoo@gmail.com.
Dr. Waseem Ahmad
The author is working at Ambri Apple Research Centre , Pahnoo Shopian SKUAST-K, Shalimar and can be reached at waseembhatspn@yahoo.com
Comments