Budget gives research at agri varsities a shot in arm

The announcement of monetary grants for agricultural universities across the country has come as much-needed respite . With the help of these monetary grants, research work at agri campuses are set to expedite, say institutes.

Among the grants announced include Rs 100 crore each to Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) and Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU), Hyderabad; Rs 50 crore each to University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad; Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hissar, and Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology; and Rs 25 crore for agri B-school, Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA).

For ANGRAU, the grant of Rs 100 crore will mean enhanced research in nano technology, bio technology and bio control agents. “We had been intending to expedite research on nano technology and bio technology since long but lack of funds was an impediment. Now, we will be able to train our manpower in these areas,” said Giddra Reddy, director, extension at ANGRAU, which has 12 colleges and 46 research stations across Andhra Pradesh under it.

Currently, of its total Rs 350 crore annual requirement of funds, about 80 per cent comes from the state government while 20 per cent comes from Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and other Central schemes.

University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, looks to utilise the funds for setting up an incubation centre in food science and technology. “We had been looking at promoting budding entrepreneurs in food sciences sector, and the funds will be utilised for the same," said RR Hanchinal, vice-chancellor of UAS.

At KAU, officials say the Rs 100 crore grant has been sanctioned in view of the academic and research accomplishments of KAU. KR Viswambharan, vice-chancellor of the institute said the institution that contributes Rs 840 crore at an average per annum in Kerala's agricultural income has been confronting financial crisis for more than 10 years.

KAU plans to utilise this grant for establishing essential facilities, launching more new generation courses and revising syllabi, coordinating different activities, reforming administration,and inculcating a new management system based on e-governance.

Not just agriculture universities, even B-schools like IRMA have also received a grant of Rs 25 crore for research. “We had asked for Rs 25 crore as part of our expansion exercise. IRMA has had a year-long exercise of drawing up a plan for the next phase of growth. This plan includes ramping up the campus facilities to enable greater intake of students; offer diverse programmes and contribute to the professionalisation of management of programmes oriented towards growth of rural areas and rural enterprises and creation of centers of excellence in research," said Jeemol Unni, director of IRMA.

On its part, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University will use the grants for the ongoing research projects at the institute. Joginder Singh Malik, Public Relations Officer of the institute said though they are pleased to get Rs 50 crore, they would require more. “We had expected Rs 100 crore from the centre for our research activities,” said Malik. The money will be used for replacing equipment that have become obsolete, procure new agriculture technology for R&D facility and build infrastructure.

The Orissa Institute of Agriculture and Technology is waiting for the final plan from the centre.