The ICAR-NDRI Vice-Chancellor has urged India’s agriculture universities to adopt a degree-to-company model to improve employability and sectoral relevance. With 76 state agriculture universities plus ICAR-deemed universities like NDRI, IARI, IVRI, CIFE integrating new fields such as AI and precision farming, the need to align courses with job market demands has become critical.
Agricultural Education Reforms & AI-Tech Integration
Agriculture courses under ICAR and the State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) are evolving under NEP 2020 to include multidisciplinary, experiential learning, AI & precision agriculture, and technology adoption. Some key points:
- Many universities are adopting precision farming, genomics, drones, and climate-smart agriculture.
- New curriculum reforms allow flexibility in the syllabus to be relevant to local agro-climatic conditions.
- NAHEP (National Agricultural Higher Education Project) has been pushing faculty and student training, infrastructure upgrades, and experiential learning.
“Degree-to-Company” and Employability Emphasis
The “degree-to-company” concept advocated by NDRI VC means equipping graduates not just with theoretical knowledge but also enhancing skills that directly map to job roles in the agri-sector: research, agribusiness, agri-tech startups, precision agriculture firms, and allied industries. Suggested measures include:
- Degree programmes embedding industry collaboration and exposure.
- Faculty training in multiple disciplines to bridge the gap between academic silos and job markets.
- Encouraging students to start ventures or join companies using their skills (i.e. entrepreneurship).
Implications for BSc, NEP, AI-Farming Tech, and Other Agriculture Courses
As these reforms take place, several outcomes are expected for agriculture students:
- Improved job prospects in technology-integrated agriculture fields.
- Curricula aligned with market requirements in AI, precision farming, farm management, and climate resilience.
- More hands-on learning and internships in related industries.
- Greater opportunity for startups, entrepreneurship, and agri-business roles rather than only traditional roles in extension or research.
