New and Restructured Post-Graduate Curricula and Syllabi: Agricultural Engineering and Technology

Abstract

There is an urgent need for developing appropriate technology in Agricultural Engineering & Technology and imparting proper training to the farmers, which is possible only if the graduates and post graduates produced by the universities are themselves properly educated in the advances in engineering and technology as applicable to agriculture. This becomes more important at the post graduate level where they have not only to learn the recent advances in their subjects but have also to be trained in the modern and latest techniques in their disciplines so that they can participate and contribute in the development and advancement in their related fields. Therefore restructuring the curricula content and delivery system and recast the same to produce globally competitive man power has gained primacy. Further, the shrinking job opportunities in the National Agricultural Research System (ICAR/SAUs) have put additional pressure on our education system to prepare students in tune with the demands of the private sector. The new and restructured PG programmes in Agricultural Engineering & Technology have been designed by taking into consideration demands of private sector harnessing commercial aspects, modern research tools and their applications, supplementary skills required, and enhancing the global competitiveness and employability of students. Considerable efforts have, therefore, gone in for the preparation of PG course curricula and syllabi in Agricultural Engineering & Technology. Three major specializations in the discipline of Agricultural Engineering and degrees in these at M.Tech. and Ph.D. level have been recommended as: (i) Farm Machinery & Power Engineering; (ii) Processing & Food Engineering; and (iii) Soil and Water Engineering.