CCEA approves Agricultural education scheme

New Delhi, Nov 20 (UNI) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) today gave its approval for strengthening and development of agricultural education at a total cost of Rs 2276.65 crore during the eleventh plan.

Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Prithviraj Chavan told newsmen here that the scheme comprised of sub-schemes: (a) development and strengthening of agricultural universities (Rs 1125 crore), Niche area of excellence (Rs 135 crore), experiential learning (Rs 250 crore) and library (Rs 125 crore), (b) educational quality and reforms (Rs 3 crore), (c) HRD (Rs 216.70 crore) and (d) modernisation of agricultural university farms (Rs 421.95 crore).

He said the scheme aimed at enhancing the quality and relevance of agricultural education so that the human resource thus developed could contribute to sustainable development of agriculture and was also able to respond to national challenges and external pressure due to rising competitiveness in curricula, establishing niche areas of excellence, creating experiential learning units, accreditation, supporting faculty development, promoting excellence and expertise of the scientists of eminence, reducing inbreeding in education and providing funds for critical as well overall development and strengthening of the Agricultural Universities.

Mr Chavan said this would lead to improvement in structural and infrastructural facilities like classroom, laboratory, girls and boys' hostels, international hostels, library, museum, sports complex, examination halls and modernisation of agricultural university farms. The scheme will provide fellowships, faculty development, student amenities and centres of excellence.

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