Up to 85 pc Faculty Posts Vacant in Agri Universities, Chouhan Calls for Grading and Filling Posts

Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has directed the improvement of the quality of agricultural education in the country and the prompt filling of vacant positions in agricultural universities. Addressing the National Agricultural Students' Conference in Pusa, Delhi, on Monday, he emphasized the importance of raising the standard of agricultural education through modern research, innovation, and technology. The conference was attended by agricultural students and faculty members from over 600 universities and colleges across the country, including those present at the conference venue and others who joined virtually.

In his address, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed concern that many positions related to agricultural education remain vacant. He directed the Director General of ICAR to fill all vacant positions promptly. He will also send letters to the Chief Ministers of all states and discuss with their Agriculture Ministers to improve the quality of agricultural education and promptly fill vacant positions in universities and colleges across the states.

The Union Agriculture Minister categorically stated that the future of agricultural students should not be compromised at any cost. He directed the ICAR to form a team of agricultural students to seek constructive suggestions to address these shortcomings.

Grading of Agricultural Universities
The Union Agriculture Minister stated that there should be healthy competition with the grading of agricultural universities and colleges. ICAR should study the best practices being conducted globally and implement them in the country. He stated that a developed and self-reliant India cannot be achieved without the development of agriculture. The entire agricultural landscape needs to be transformed, and agricultural students should also contribute to this.

Making Agricultural Education World-Class: Dr. ML Jat
ICAR Director General and Secretary, DARE, Dr. ML Jat stated that agricultural education will be prepared for future challenges. This will include modern technologies such as AI and machine learning. Currently, agricultural universities and colleges are accredited by ICAR. However, the emphasis will now be on making them world-class and improving their quality. Institutions that lack adequate faculty and facilities will also be addressed.
Currently, between 15% and 85% of teaching positions in the country's agricultural universities are vacant, with a significant number of these positions being in state agricultural universities. There are also many problems with private universities entering the field of agricultural education.

Dr. ML Jat told to Rural Voice that the new education policy has five thematic areas, including higher education and skill development related to agricultural education. Our objective is not only quality education but also education that prepares entrepreneurs so that youth can establish start-ups. We also need to capture the evolving global trends in technology and business megatrends, so that our youth can advance by acquiring world-class education.

Interaction with Agricultural Students
At the "National Agricultural Students' Conference," organized by the Agricultural Education Division and the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), agricultural students shared their experiences and directly interacted with the Union Agriculture Minister. The students reiterated their commitment to progress by engaging with the changes taking place in the agricultural sector, new technologies, and government policies, and also shared their problems. The Union Agriculture Minister pledged to provide appropriate solutions to the students' problems.

Agricultural scientists, professors and officials from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and agricultural universities also participated in the conference and Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Bhagirath Choudhary joined virtually.