KLE Society to start farm sciences institute at Tenkhova in Belagavi district

KLE Society will start a farm sciences institute that will offer graduate degree in agriculture and allied sciences from this academic year.

“We have established a College of Agricultural Sciences on an area of ​​60 acres in Tenkhova in Yaragati taluk of Belagavi district. It will admit 120 students from this academic year. Preference will be given to children of farmers,” society chairman Prabhakar Kore said in Belagavi on Monday.

KLE Society has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Agricultural Sciences Dharwad.

The society will also start diploma courses in veterinary sciences. Paperwork is on to seek affiliation from the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Sciences University in Bidar.

He described it as a result of 12 years of sustained efforts by the society to open a private farm college.

“Private agricultural colleges have been set up in several States but not in Karnataka. But this year, the State government gave permissions to a few private educational institutions to start such colleges. They include KLE Society and Adi Chunchanagiri Education Society,” he said.

Admissions will be based on the Karnataka Examination Authority’s Common Entrance Test in the ratio of 60% government quota and 40% through KLE Society.

“Out of 120 students, 72 students (60%) will be admitted to the four-year B.Sc (Agriculture) course through the Karnataka Examinations Authority and 48 students (40%) through KLE Institute,” Dr. Kore told reporters.

As much as 50% of students in admissions will be the children of farmers. Priority will be given to students who own agricultural lands, he said.

KEA rules about roaster-based quotas will be followed. Fees per semester will be ₹60,500 as per KEA norms.

“We have established all modern laboratories required for the farm sciences college. We have the requisite land for practical classes. At least 50% of the curriculum is based on practical experience,” he said.

“We have identified about 800 acres of farmland for use as demonstration plots for students to study various crops. Artificial intelligence (AI) will be used to help farmers,” he said.

“Students will be given six months of practical education under the Rural Agriculture Experience Programme. Students will stay in their adopted homes in the villages and receive training in the management of the agricultural sector from seed processing to packing,” he said.

“The agriculture college will have 32 departments and subject-specific laboratories. The KLE Krishi Vigyan Kendra at the Mattikoppa instructional farm will be utilised to provide hands-on training till alternative arrangements are made. The farm will be developed in the next two years,” he said.

“There are 72 SAUs in the country. Karnataka has 16 farm sciences-related institutions. We will try to build our institute to be on par with the best in the State and the country,” he said.

According to him, accommodation will be provided on campus to the extent available. Hostel facilities for both boys and girls will be provided. The course offered is of eight semesters or 4 years.

Skill Education Course such as horticulture, seed science and technology, microbiology, mushroom production, vermiculture and mass production of bio agents have been incorporated in course syllabus. Co-curricular activities like sports, NSS, NCC are also included.

Students will be allowed to visit successful farmers, farm entrepreneurs to gain knowledge and to acquire skills. Field activity, dairy, poultry, value addition to farm produce will be taught through technological backstopping. Farmers, scientist and industry interfaces will be arranged.

Rural Agricultural Work Experience (RAWE) program is also included. State and all India study tour for students will be arranged based on ICAR guidelines.

He said that recruitment notification to fill teaching and non-teaching staff has been issued. There will be 39 teaching faculty and 43 supporting staff working in the proposed college. Examination, both theory and practical, will be as per UAS Dharwad guidelines. External examination components are included.