CSKHPKV, Palampur was established on 1st November, 1978, with a mandate to impart education, conduct research and extension of new technologies, in agriculture and allied sectors. Over years, this university contributed significantly for the development of Hill Agriculture. Four constituent colleges under it are: The College of Agriculture, Dr. G. C. Negi College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, College of Community Sciences and College of Basic Sciences.
Problem
In recent years, due to dwindling financial position of state the golden era of the university has seen great decline. There is shortage of scientific staff and other human resources. At times, even the salaries and pensions were not paid on time.
Several issues are confronting higher agricultural education in the country, like inter-regional disparities, shortage of qualified faculty and under-financing to the SAUs.
Honourable CM Jai Ram Thakur takes the Lead
A central agricultural university had been established in Imphal, Manipur in 1993 with constituent colleges in six states of the north-eastern Himalayan region. While, North-western Himalayan region of the country with population of 3.1 crore and area of around 3,31,953 square kilometres still lacks one, Thakur wrote in a letter to Union Agriculture minister.
The CM said that, CSKHPKV was centrally located and well connected by air, road and rail. The university has adequate existing infrastructure and a sprawling campus covering around 615 hectares with constituent colleges of agriculture, veterinary and animal sciences, community science and basic sciences, including a network of 12 regional research stations, sub- stations and eight Krishi Vistar Kendras on 233 hectares of land in different agro-climatic zones of the state.
If the Union government accepts the request of the state government it will be mutually beneficial as with minimum resources and investment, the Central Agriculture University could become a strong farm university and an international leader.
Agricultural Scientists Forum (ASF) raises voice for CAU
A delegation of agricultural scientists, under the banner of ASF raised voice for the welfare of agricultural education in the state. In August, 2017 a memorandum was submitted to Sh. Shanta Kumar, Honourable MP, Kangra constituency for establishment of Central Agricultural University (CAU) in Palampur, with a state-of-art facilities and 100% funding from central government.
Established on the Agro-climatic Zone basis, CAU can correct the existing regional disparity and gender imbalances and increase access to quality education.
Image source - Google
