Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya), Palampur

Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (now Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya) is an Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) accredited and ISO 9001:2000 certified institution. It was established on 1st November, 1978. The College of Agriculture (established in May, 1966) formed the nucleus of new farm University. The University has been given the mandate for making provision for imparting education in agriculture and other allied branches of learning, furthering the advancement of learning and prosecution of research and undertaking extension of such sciences, especially to the rural people of Himachal Pradesh. Over the years, this University has contributed significantly in transforming the farm scenario of Himachal Pradesh. Today, the State has earned its name for hill agricultural diversification and the farming community has imposed its faith in the University. Academic Programmes The University has four constituent colleges. The College of Agriculture has 14 departments, Dr.G.C.Negi College of Veterinary & Animal Science has 18 departments, the College of Home Science has five departments and the College of Basic Sciences has five departments. These colleges offer four Bachelor Degree programmes and the Dean, Post Graduate Studies offers 29 Masters Degree & 16 Doctoral Degree programmes. At present 902 students are on roll and more than 4686 students have passed out from the University since its inception. Research Activities The Directorate of Research coordinates research in the field of agriculture, veterinary and animal sciences, home science and basic sciences. It has been giving priority to location specific, need based and problem oriented research with multi disciplinary approach at main campus Palampur, 5 research stations (Bajaura, Dhaulakuan, Kukumseri, Sangla and Kangra) and 9 sub-stations (Malan, Nagrota, Salooni, Akrot, Berthin Sundernagar, Katrain Leo and Lari) spread over in all districts of the state (except Solan and Shimla). The University has developed need-based technology for the different regions of the State and has released 134 improved varieties of different crops, which include 18 newly released varieties of different crops. More than 4000 quintal breeder seed of different crop varieties is produced and supplied to the State Department of Agriculture for further multiplication and making it available among the farming community, every year. The University has released 10 improved agricultural tools to reduce drudgery in farming. Over 60 farm technologies have been recommended to the farmers. Successful research work has been done on natural resources management, animal diseases control, animal breeding, etc. and perfect technology has been developed for different regions of the State to enhance crop and animal production. Despite constant decrease in area under farming, crop yields have increased. Extension Education The Directorate of Extension Education shares the responsibility for planning, implementation and coordination of various extension education programmes of all the departments of four constituent colleges and research stations in close collaboration with the State Departments of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and other concerned departments and institutions. It conducts a large number of trainings for farmers, livestock keepers, farm ladies, rural youth, etc at main campus and at its eight Krishi Vigyan Kendras (Farm Science Centres) at Bajaura, Dhaulakuan, Hamirpur, Una, Mandi, Kangra, Berthin and Kukumseri. Agricultural Technology Information Center is serving as single window service to the farmers. Due to the arduous hard work during the past thirty one years in the University, the State has traversed new paths of progress in the area of farming and it has become almost self sufficient on the food front. Harvests have become bountiful and the socio-economic status of the farming community has undergone a sea change.