BSc Ag (Hons) Natural Farming will consist of 176 credits, Agribusiness Management will have 171; students need to complete 10 credits through online courses
Agribusiness Management, or ABM, and Natural Farming are the two new undergraduate programs offered by the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR).
The programs are included in the recommendations made in the Sixth Deans’ Committee Report of the ICAR. Their goal is to teach students how to use sustainable and entrepreneurial farming methods.
The ICAR recognizes 13 undergraduate programs in agriculture and related sciences, including these two programs.
The new UG agriculture course on natural farming has been introduced after the panel considered “the natural strength of the country and future opportunities”, and requirement of “well trained human resource” to promote the programme.
The ABM course at UG level is intended to help students “acquire competency and confidence to start their own enterprise, as well as will have the competency to land jobs”.
New agriculture course syllabus, credits
The four-year undergraduate program in Agribusiness Management will have 171 credits, while the 176-credit BSc Ag (Hons) Natural Farming program will have 171 credits. In order to participate in this, students must complete a minimum of ten credits of online coursework.
Students enrolled in these courses will have the choice of numerous entry and exit points in accordance with the provisions of the National Education Policy (NEP 2020).
The committee has also placed a strong emphasis on case studies, exposure trips, and training for improving fundamental skills. Additionally, they have offered possibilities for advanced skill development through project work or experiential learning, as well as flexibility in course selection through electives and online courses.
BSc in Natural Farming: Syllabus
The syllabus of undergraduate course in natural farming is based on Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP) in India with an aim “to enhance production, sustainability, saving of water, improvement in soil health and farmland ecosystem, and reducing the market inputs”.
“These important aspects are considered as cost-effective and suitable for the livelihood of a large number of farmers and sustainable rural development,” says the ICAR Deans’ Sixth Committee report.
Students will learn about Indian heritage and practical applications of natural farming during their first year. The first semester also includes a three-week foundation course. After the first year, they can choose to graduate with a UG certificate, but they will still need to finish a 10-week internship.
Students will gain practical exposure throughout the second year of the course. After the second year, those who want to graduate with a UG Diploma in Natural Farming must also finish a 10-week internship.
“The third year and fourth year courses have been designed to impart in-depth details, including specialised knowledge in the major disciplines,” the report said.
In the final year, students can choose their elective courses. They will also be given freedom to opt for 20 credits of non-credit courses in online mode. Students will get the degree of BSc Ag (Hons.) Natural Farming on completion of four years and all requirements.
The ICAR has also allowed lateral entry for diploma holders into the honours programme.
Those holding diplomas in natural farming from polytechnics or other approved institutions “may be allowed admission into the third year of the UG programme, following the norms of lateral entry in respective universities or institutions”.
Agriculture Business Management
In the first two years of the four-year ABM course, the committee has given skill enhancement courses more weight. All four semesters of the first two years offer a basket of courses from which students can select courses to improve their skills.
“Students will be given 12 credits of skill-based courses in first, second, third and fourth semesters so that he or she acquires enough knowledge and skill through hands-on training in related domain to get Certificate at the end of first year and Diploma at the end of second year, if he or she opts to exit,” the report said.
Students will be allowed to choose elective courses of 20 credits in the seventh semester of the degree programme.
Agriculture: Student READY programmes
Students will have the opportunity to earn 20 credits from the Rural Entrepreneurship Awareness Development Yojana (READY) programs during the eighth semester of both programs.
Rural Agriculture Work Experience (RAWE), project work or industrial attachment experiential learning, internships, and any other alternative provided by the parent institute are all included in the READY programs.
The purpose of these programs is to prepare students for the agriculture industry by helping them develop technical and practical abilities.
Additionally, they develop entrepreneurial attitudes and abilities, which empower students to launch their own businesses.
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