NEW DELHI: India’s agricultural education and training ecosystem is undergoing a major transformation as the government pushes for integrated reforms linking higher education, research, and skill development. Officials say the goal is to build “Viksit Krishi aur Samruddh Kisan” — developed agriculture and prosperous farmers — as part of the national vision of Viksit Bharat.
Agriculture continues to remain the backbone of India’s economy, providing livelihoods to nearly half the population and contributing around 18% to the GDP. To sustain an annual growth rate of 5% in the farm sector, the government has emphasized strengthening the three pillars of the system — education, research, and extension — under the guiding principle of “One Nation – One Agriculture – One Team.”
ICAR at the Core of the Education Network
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), established in 1929, remains the apex body responsible for agricultural research and higher education across the country. It oversees one of the world’s largest agricultural research and education networks — 113 national institutes and 74 agricultural universities — covering fields from horticulture and fisheries to animal sciences and biotechnology.
ICAR’s work extends beyond research to quality assurance and outreach. Through 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) across India, the organization transfers technologies and practical know-how directly to farmers. It has also introduced reforms like the ICAR Model Act (Revised 2023) and new accreditation standards for agricultural colleges through the National Agricultural Education Accreditation Board.
Expanding the University Network
India currently has a diverse mix of government and private institutions offering agricultural education. This includes 63 State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), 3 Central Agricultural Universities (CAUs), 4 “Deemed” universities, and 4 Central Universities with agricultural faculties.
The three CAUs — located in Pusa (Bihar), Imphal (Manipur), and Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh) — cater to region-specific agricultural needs. Each integrates teaching, research, and extension, with constituent colleges offering courses across agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, veterinary science, and agribusiness.
Private sector participation in agricultural education has also grown. The number of ICAR-accredited private agricultural colleges increased from five in 2020–21 to twenty-two by 2024–25, reflecting rising demand for professional training and industry-linked programs.
Digital and Technological Push in Agriculture
The government is actively introducing new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to modernize farming. These are being used in areas like precision irrigation, drone-based spraying, climate monitoring, livestock tracking, and AI-driven pest control.
Institutes such as IIT Ropar, IIT Bombay, and IIT Kharagpur have established Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems to develop IoT and AI applications for agriculture. Similarly, Centres of Excellence in cities like Bengaluru and Visakhapatnam are connecting startups and industry to promote agri-tech innovations.
Skill Development: Preparing Farmers for a Changing Economy
Training and skill development are central to India’s agricultural reforms. Programmes like the Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY), Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) are building rural capacity for modern farming.
Between 2021 and 2025, Krishi Vigyan Kendras trained more than 58 lakh farmers, while the ATMA (Agriculture Technology Management Agency) scheme reached over 1.27 crore farmers through decentralized training. The STRY programme alone has trained over 50,000 rural youth since 2021 in horticulture, dairy, fisheries, and related trades.
Parallelly, the Soil Health Card Scheme and the promotion of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) have enhanced farmers’ understanding of soil management and agribusiness practices. More than 25 crore soil health cards have been distributed, and over 10,000 FPOs have been registered nationwide.
A Knowledge-Driven Agricultural Future
Experts say the integration of education, technology, and training marks a shift toward a knowledge-based agricultural economy. “The synergy between research, innovation, and field-level training is creating a foundation for sustainable productivity,” an ICAR official told Ziraat Times.
As India seeks self-reliance in food production and sustainable rural development, initiatives under the “One Nation – One Agriculture – One Team” framework are helping bridge the gap between science and practice. With digital agriculture, AI-led innovation, and farmer-centric training at its core, the country’s agricultural education system is positioning itself to deliver on both — productivity and prosperity.
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