Publish 28th December, 2023

Benefits of Admission to ICAR accredited Agriculture College

By Publisher Raisoni

Significance of ICAR accredited agricultural college

In today’s environment, where colleges and universities have sprung up in every nook and corner of the country, all making tall claims about their infrastructure, professionalism and educational standards, choosing the right college or university is of utmost importance for a student’s career. An ICAR accredited BSc agriculture college or University means the fulfilment of minimum educational criteria set forth by the organization. Also, the degree awarded by such colleges/universities will have validity both in India and abroad.

Benefits of Admission to ICAR accredited Agriculture College | GHRU Saikheda

ICAR grants accreditation to agricultural colleges/universities through its accreditation secretariat of National Agricultural Education Accreditation Board (NAEAB). In order to get ICAR accreditation, the agricultural college or university has to undergo an inspection by a NAEAB-designated expert panel, known as Peer Review Team (PRT). The process of inspection by PRT is quite rigorous. Every minute detail of the functioning of the institution at different levels is inspected by the members of PRT. The concerned agricultural college/university is recommended for accreditation to NAEAB, only if the PRT members are satisfied with the infrastructure facilities, professors and staff, course content, policies and procedures, etc. If not, either the application is immediately rejected or the university is granted more time to meet the compliance standard established by ICAR.

Not all agricultural universities founded in accordance with central or state government get accreditation from ICAR. Out of the numerous universities that are examined, only a handful receives an ICAR accreditation. Therefore, before narrowing down your search based on the eligibility criteria you should first look for an ICAR-approved agriculture college. The status of ICAR accreditation and detailed report of the inspection panel of any agricultural college/university operating in India can be checked by visiting the official website of ICAR.

National Agriculture Education Accreditation Board (NAEAB)

In the year 1996, the ICAR's Accreditation Board was founded. It eventually changed its name to National Agricultural Education Accreditation (NAEAB) in 2017. The accreditation board now renamed NAEAB is an entity under ICAR. The NAEAB's principal duties include upholding the standards of education in agriculture and related fields in the country through accreditation and other functions. In addition to this, NAEAB performs the following subsidiary functions:

  • To provide guidance to the council in developing the standards and regulations for accreditation of agricultural institutes and programmes of agricultural education including veterinary sciences and agricultural engineering.
  • To support the council in cases involving approval, finance, oversight, and recognition of agricultural institutions' education.
  • Review the academic curriculum and the institutional structure in which these programmes are carried out.
  • To periodically evaluate the course offerings for various degree programmes provided by the state agricultural universities and other recognised institutions and recommend changes if necessary.
  • To determine whether two qualifications are equivalent or not
  • To establish guidelines and requirements for courses, curriculums, teaching facilities, teaching personnel’s credentials, entrance standards, etc .and, if necessary, de-recognize the institution/degree.
  • To offer direction to the university on administration, staff, and fiscal policies etc.

Some of the benefits of studying in ICAR accredited agricultural colleges

ICAR is an apex body for organising, directing and supervising agricultural research and education nationwide. With over 111 institutions and 71 agriculture universities under its wing, ICAR manages one of the largest agricultural systems in the world.

There are many benefits of studying in ICAR-accredited BSc agricultural colleges some of them are listed below:

  • All colleges that have received ICAR approval have the same academic policies. Degree nomenclature, course material, evaluation methods, admissions procedures, etc. are all are in line with a global standard.
  • Graduates of ICAR approved BSc agriculture college have global acceptability. They are qualified not just for government/private employment and higher education in India, but also for higher education abroad.
  • ICAR-approved agricultural colleges are well-equipped with student amenities such as dormitory, library, canteen, Wi-Fi facility, experimental farms, transportation options, hospitals etc.
  • In colleges that have received ICAR accreditation, the fee structure is kept within the maximum and lowest prescribed limits for a particular course. Additionally, a sizable number of scholarships and fellowships are offered to the chosen candidates who are admitted to UG and PG programmes through ICAR.
  • Gender equity in agriculture education has long been a significant issue. The demands of female students are well met by colleges that have earned ICAR accreditation. A few features to highlight are separate dorms for boys and girls, separate eating places, recreational areas designed just for ladies, and separate restrooms for female students.
  • All ICAR-accredited colleges receive substantial financial assistance from NAEAB totalling 40% of the college's overall budget. This fund can be used utilised to maintain excellent educational standards and other facilities.
  • A degree from an ICAR-approved agricultural college makes you eligible for receiving financial support for self-employment under certain government-sponsored schemes.

Best ICAR accredited agricultural university in central India

Central India is home to some of the finest agricultural universities and colleges in India that offer BSc Agriculture and MSc agricultural courses. G.H. Raisoni University, Saikheda is one such ICAR-accredited private university in MP and central India from where you can pursue BSc or MSc agriculture course.

Located on the boundary of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, approximately 60 kilometres from both Nagpur and Chhindwara, this autonomous, coeducational university offers a variety of undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD courses in the domain of agriculture and allied sciences. During the duration of the courses, students are exposed to all major disciplines within each programme and they are allowed to select a specialization of courses in a subject area that interests them.

G.H. Raisoni University is widely known for the calibre of its course curriculum. The university adopts unique pedagogical techniques that blend classroom lectures, assignments, case studies, interactive discussions, study tours and frequent farm visits to gain hands-on experiences. This ICAR-accredited private university has its own demonstration farm or model farm that is used to teach various agricultural techniques and technologies and showcase a new and improved variety of crops to students undergoing various agricultural courses. In addition, they also serve as a setting to carry out various researches and test novel methods alongside traditional ones.

During their stay at the colleges, students are also encouraged to participate in short-term live projects sponsored by other organizations or in academic competitions like quizzes, business fests, project proposal writing etc., held by other agricultural colleges and universities. The active academic community at Raisoni University, which includes both faculty members and supporting staff, serves as a mentor for all of its students, whether they are participating in extracurricular activities or getting ready for a job interview.