Faculty of Agricultural Science

Agriculture for 7.6 Billion Population to Feed

The Department

Despite being largest democracy in the world and rapidly developing country, the rural /tribal population in India is deprived of the benefits of huge economic growth and new opportunities, leading to an inconsistent food availability, poor education standards and unsatisfactory agricultural growth in these areas. Agriculture has been the mainstay of Indian economy, providing the livelihood to about 70% of the population of the country and contributing about 16% to the Gross Domestic Product. The agricultural growth of the tribal areas in the country in general and Rajasthan in particular has not been satisfactory to support the livelihood of this weaker section of the society. The inclusive growth of the country is only possible when the problems associated with the tribal population, especially in the field of agricultural and education, are dealt with priority and firm determination. Considering the importance of Agriculture and the trained human resource, Madhav University established the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences in 2014 with specific goals for providing better education standards and sustained agricultural growth to the tribal community in the Sirohi district of Rajasthan.

The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences in the Madhav University has been adjusting and improving its policies, plans and programmes to effectively respond to the needs and opportunities of the nation and the tribal community in particular, in all its three interactive areas namely research, education and extension. The main function of the Faculty is to develop human resource in all branches of Agricultural science by providing diploma, under graduate and post graduate education. We conduct basic and strategic research with a view to understanding the process in all their complexity and to undertake need-based research that lead to crop improvement and sustained agricultural productivity in harmony with the agro-climatic conditions of the tribal/rural areas.

The laboratories are equipped on modern lines for conducting research of a high order. The various departments of the university are manned by a large body of highly trained and experienced scientific staff. The experimental fields form an integral part of the campus of the Faculty, covering an area of about 60 hectares. The complete farm area has been provided with irrigation facilities. Internet and intranet, and Wi-Fi connectivity has been provided at the university campus and the central library for the students and for the faculty members. Creation of this facility is a step forward in the area of knowledge dissemination and awareness for establishing a healthy and productive relationship between faculty members and the students for overall agricultural development, especially for the tribal population of this area. The facility is made available to students free of charge. Student Career Development and Industry Interface Centre has been established by the university for career counseling and additionally, the Faculty of Agriculture has been arranging frequent Institute-Industry interface at its own level to expose the students for opportunities in Agriculture in public and private sectors.

Sectors providing placement to the agricultural postgraduates are broadly summarized as Input, Output, Supply and Allied Agricultural fields for example i) Development and Research Departments of Central and State Governments (ii) Commercial Banks and Insurance Sector (iii) Area development/ watershed development agencies including NGOs (iv) Industry dealing with fertilizers and plant nutrients (v) Plant protection chemicals, insecticides and pesticides, veterinary drugs manufacturing and marketing companies (vi) Organizations dealing in seeds and planting materials (vii) Industries dealing with Agricultural Machinery, Sericulture, Horticulture, Fisheries, Dairy, Poultry etc. (viii) Manufacturers and suppliers of irrigation systems (ix) Agricultural and animal products processing industry (x) Multi-Nationals dealing with production, field evaluation, and marketing of agricultural inputs including export marketing and consultancy services.Agriculture postgraduates may start their own business units including the Agri-clinics and Agro-service Centers.

The Courses

Agricultural Education in Madhav University could be considered as one of the most relevant educations for growth and sustainable development of the tribal/rural population of Sirohi district of Rajasthan and similar other areas in the country.A unique feature of the system of instruction at the university is largely modeled on the course-credit semester system as per the guidelines from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The system integrates research, teaching and extension in a most productive manner and also the programme of instruction is broad-based so as to give the student mastery not only in his/ her major field of specialization but also in supporting minor fields. The Faculty of Agriculture is providing Diploma in Agriculture/Horticulture and undergraduate degree in Agriculture/Horticulture. The Faculty is also undertaking post graduate degree and research programmes in different major subject groups namely (1) Agronomy (2) Genetics and Plant Breeding (3) Plant Biotechnology (4) Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science (5) Seed Science and Technology (6) Agricultural Extension.

Students passed 10th class examinations with 50% marks in aggregate are eligible for admission in Diploma programme for Agriculture and Horticulture covering a period of three years. Students passed 10+2 examination with (a) Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology or (b) Physics, Chemistry, Biology or (c) Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics or (d) Agriculture, are eligible through Joint Entrance Test (JET), organized as per the directives of Government of Rajasthan, for admission in B.Sc. degree programme in Agriculture and Horticulture for a period of four years.

Research students may join the University research programme in different disciplines of agriculture (Agronomy, Genetics & Plant breeding, Plant Biotechnology and Seed Science & Technology) through University entrance examination.The students programme of studies is planned after taking due account of his/her previous academic training. This is done by an Advisory Committee which consists of Advisor/Chairman from the major field of specialization and other members from the major and minor fields. Ph.D. students are required to take two minors from the supporting disciplines. The candidates, who have not been exposed to Agricultural Science discipline in their last examination, if admitted to Ph.D. programme will have to take Introductory Agriculture courses. These courses shall be over and above the prescribed credit load for the Ph.D. degree and will be graded and counted for calculating OGPA like regular courses.The details of the course credits, course numbers, course titles, etc. are included in the University Calendar.The degrees in Agricultural Sciences provide an interdisciplinary experience catering to varied interests and aptitudes of students.

Is a degree in Agriculture Science right for you ?

For those students who love science and math, studying agriculture may be the right degree for you. Agriculture teaches students the principles of farming, ranching, and other agricultural practices. Interested in learning about animals, plants, and soil? Read on to see if a degree in Agriculture is right for you.Agriculture, farming, cultivation, crop growing, gardening; these words describe the word agriculture but not how it is viewed in today’s modern times. Why study agriculture? Agriculture is an ancient practice and key to sustaining human development on planet Earth. Today, the way we go about agriculture has changed dramatically with the introduction of technology that has revolutionized production and distribution. If you are looking for a career that touches all disciplines, including science and math, in a fast paced environment that will touch people’s lives around the world, a degree in agriculture might just be for you!

Happenings and Academic Events

The Faculty organizes planned educational trips to strategically and important agricultural institutions and to various other places to take learning beyond the four walls of the classroom, thus helping students to reach out for information beyond the text books. Educational trips expand horizons and college life of students to facilitate, to know and to understand the practical work from well experienced experts in the field of agriculture. Such outdoor activities act as catalyst to think out of the box and broaden the outlook of students, giving them an opportunity to shape their future line of action and to develop expertise in agricultural profession.

Educational Visits & Other Events

The March session focused primarily on the Sustainable Development Goals that can be planned, financed and implemented for profit making by the farmers and for the farmers. In this regard, an educational/Agricultural trip was organized to Shilpgrow Farm, Amirgarh in the Gujarat state. It was a perfect example of "Farming as a business activity with huge potential and profits”. The farm area of about 26 hectares was under hi-tech cultivation practices such as Green house, Poly House, Net House, Sprinkler & Drip Irrigation System (micro-irrigation) etc. Students learned about the practices followed for Caster seed production and vegetable nursery bed preparation.