Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur

Rajasthan's economy has depended mainly on agriculture since its formation in 1949. Recognizing the importance of agricultural growth and development in assuring livelihood security of its population, the government gave high priority to developing agriculture education, research and extension in the State. The first Agriculture College was SKN College of Agriculture at Jobner, established in the State and later on Rajasthan College of Agriculture at Udaipur was established in 1955. With the establishment of first Agricultural University at Pantnagar in 1960, the state had the distinction of being the second in establishment of Agricultural University in the country. It accepted the model of land grant pattern of education of U.S.A. with trinity of functions i.e. education, research and extension education. The Agriculture University was established in 1962, thereafter government took the bold decision to transfer research component to the University which many other states took a long time. Soon the University was converted into multi faculty in 1964. With this set up the emphasis on higher agricultural education got diluted. Therefore, Agricultural University was again created in 1987 at Bikaner. The Colleges at Udaipur became constituent Colleges of Rajasthan Agricultural University at Bikaner. The state being a big one and also having different agro climatic regions it was felt necessary to address the problems of arid agriculture and semiarid agriculture separately. Therefore, State Government created Agricultural University at Udaipur in 1999 which was named as "Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology", after the great freedom fighter and patriot Maharana Pratap. The University jurisdiction covers 11 districts of south and south-east Rajasthan which have predominantly sub-humid climate with cropping pattern quite different from the rest of the State. With the establishment of Agricultural University in 1999, it inherited the well established colleges of Rajasthan College of Agriculture, College of Technology and Engineering, College of Home Science and College of Dairy and Food Science Technology. Recognizing the contribution horticulture and forestry could play in economic empowerment, nutritional security and sustainability of agriculture, College of Horticulture and Forestry was established at Jhalawar in 2004 and College of Veterinary and Animal Science was established at Navania, Vallabhnagar (Udaipur) in 2007. Vision and Mission Imparting teaching and training in different branches of agriculture and allied fields particularly Agriculture, Horticulture, Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Forestry, Agricultural Engineering,Computer Science & Engineering,Electrical Engineering,Mining Engineering,Civil Engineering,Home Science, etc. Conducting research and developing new technologies for sustainability of agriculture, increased production and income and livelihood and nutritional security in the region. Transfer of technology to farming community. Providing diverse technical services and consultancy to industries and other stake holders. Developing linkages nationally and internationally for education, research and extension education