A Glimpse of RLBCAU, Jhansi
The Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University was established as an institution of national importance on 5th March, 2014 by an Act of Parliament by Govt. of India for the furtherance of the advancement of learning and pursuit of research in agriculture and allied sciences. The
headquarter of the University is being developed at Jhansi located at 25.43°N 78.58°E on an average elevation of 284 meters in the State of Uttar Pradesh. The jurisdiction and responsibility of the University with respect to teaching, research and programmes of extension education at the University level, in the field of agriculture has been extended to whole country and priority shall be laid on the issues related to Bundelkhand region. Agriculture in Bundelkhand, covering six districts, namely Chhatarpur, Damoh, Datia, Panna, Sagar and Tikamgarh of Madhya Pradesh and seven districts, namely Banda, Chitrakoot, Hamirpur, Jalaun, Jhansi, Lalitpur and Mahoba of Uttar Pradesh is diverse, complex, under-invested, risk prone and vulnerable. Bundelkhand region has a hot and semi-humid climate with water scarcity during become cropping season. Usually the hottest days are in May and coldest days in December or January. The average annual temperature is over 25°C. However, the mean monthly values vary considerably from the annual means and consequently the temperature range is high. In summer, mean temperatures range around 30°C and can rise beyond 40°C in May - June. The monsoon from June to September bring down temperature to around 22°C - 25°C with relative humidity ranging between 70 to 80%. The mean annual precipitation varies from 75 cm in the north to 125 cm in the South-east. The average for the region can be considered around 100 cm and falls mainly in the monsoon months of June to September. However, the total amount of rain fall is highly variable and capricious. This uncertainty is mainly responsible for the large number of famines and droughts experienced in the region since time immemorial. There is paramount need to strengthen both research and public policy in order to improve the productivity, profitability, stability and sustainability of the major farming systems of the region.
All colleges, research and experimental stations or other institutions to be established under the authority of the University shall come in as constituent units under the full management and control of its officers and authorities. Within the provision of para 4 (2) of the University Act, the University has decided to establish its head quarter and constituent College of Agriculture and College of Horticulture and Forestry at Jhansi. Two colleges, namely College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, and College of Fisheries are proposed to be established at Datia, Madhya Pradesh. The vision of the University is to be a hub of global standing in the field of advanced agricultural research and education to solve the current and emerging problems linked with sustainable agriculture in India and more specifically in the Bundelkhand region.
EDUCATION
- Presently, only three undergraduate courses are being run viz., B. Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture, B. Sc. (Hons.) Horticulture and B. Sc. (Hons.) Forestry with the support of contractual faculty. The annual intake capacities for UG programme in Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry will be 40, 20 and 20 students, respectively from session 2017-18. The University is to initiate two new UG programmes in Veterinary and Fisheries Science viz B.V.Sc. & AH and BF.Sc. (Hons.) each with intake capacity of 40 and 20 students, respectively by 2019-20.
- The University is to initiate P.G. program and doctoral program in select courses in various faculties from 2018-19 after the recruitment of regular faculty.
- The University has submitted a proposal for financial concurrence of MOF for creation of 254 teaching and 234 non-teaching posts duly approved by the University BOM for various academic programmes of the university. The University has proposed faculty following the minimum standards for UG/PG education in different branches of agricultural sciences, except veterinary sciences, as per the norms prescribed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The Veterinary education shall be regulated by the norms prescribed by Veterinary Council of India.
- The main syllabus of various courses in agricultural sciences is within the broad framework of the recommendations of ICAR Fifth Deans Committee. However, the course content of B.V.Sc & AH will be governed by VCI regulations.
- The experiential learning centers will be established in all colleges to provide necessary practical experience to UG students.
- With Central University status, 100% admission to different UG and PG courses will be made through examinations conducted by ICAR. It is expected that by this the composition of students will reflect the national character.
- The University has framed Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University Academic Regulations -2015 for Under Graduate Studies and Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University Academic Regulations 2016 for Post-graduate Studies for regulating academic activities of undergraduate and Post-graduate Studies in the University.
RESEARCH
The university mandate has been extended to whole country in general and to Bundelkhand region of UP and MP state in particular. Thus university will be taking up research program to fulfill the tasks assigned under this mandate. To provide technology back stopping to different themes of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer's Welfare, Government of India, University has initiated research for enhancing chick-pea Production in Bundelkhand region with multi-pronged approach of breeding, disease resistance, seed production, intercropping and nutrient & water management. The University is to take up strategic research to address issues linked with better water use efficiency (per drop more crop), soil health, conservation of natural resources, oilseeds and pulses, scientific animal husbandry, integrated farming systems, climate change and sustainable agriculture for livelihood and nutritional security once the required faculty posts are created and filled.
EXTENSION
- At present there is no KVK under the direct administrative control of the University.
- It is expected that once the process of recruitment has been initiated after the creation of teaching posts, the extension education programmes of the University will focus the technology dissemination in the field of agriculture, horticulture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary sciences for mitigation of recurrent drought and better livelihood.
INFRASTRUCTURE
- The University started its activities with the support of Scientific staff and Research Laboratories of ICAR Research Institutes/Govt. Departments located at Jhansi and nearby areas. However, it is in the process to develop its infrastructure and construct Buildings required for execution of academic, research and extension activities, recruitment of faculty and accreditation of its constituent colleges by ICAR/VCI.
- The University Construction agency NBCC, has almost completed construction of pre-fabricated structures and has finalized award of the work for the construction of the Academic building Administrative Block, Faculty residences and Hostels of the University.
- The construction work at proposed campus at Datia (MP) for the establishment of two colleges (College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, and College of Fisheries) is also to be taken up immediately for initiating the Veterinary and Fisheries programmes.