The need for developing quality human resources in the field of agriculture is getting intensified with increased demand for food security. India’s economy is based on agricultural growth, production, productivity, and agro-based industry. More so, Andhra Pradesh, a river state of India blessed with many rivers particularly the Godavari, Krishna, Penna, Vamsadhara, Nagavali, etc.,
There is a great potential for innovative ideas, to develop agriculture and Agri based industries that ultimately contribute to the improvement of the national economy particularly the economic standards of the farmer.
Godavari zone comprised of the east & west Godavari districts is such a model agro-climatic zone that can reach the pinnacle in agricultural development.
It has already had certain credentials such as “Rice bowl of India” due to its high rice production and productivity, “Seed production hub for many commercial crops such as cotton, maize, pulses and Kadiyam “World famous nurseries”.
It is endowed with good irrigation facilities, rich alluvial soils, innovative farmers and established marketing facilities, and highly diversified horticultural crops (including floriculture and olericulture).
The establishment of an agricultural college in this region is the right strategy to produce well-experienced agriculture graduates because of the good learning opportunities and exposure.
The long felt need and the long cherished desire of the farmers of this region and local peoples representatives were positively considered and paved the way for establishing this agricultural college at Rajahmundry on 5th November 2008. (GO Ms No. 79, Dt. 26.02.2009).
The inception of this college was done in the Govt. Arts College (Autonomous), Rajahmundry from which a lot of stalwarts in various fields graduated.
Due to space problems, the college was shifted to Sri Kandukuri Veeresalingam Theistic Degree College. This college is being run by Hitakarini Samajam which was established by the great social reformer Sri Kandukuri Veeresalingam Panthulu garu.
The developmental process of the college started in this college soon after its inception. As the years went by the student’s strength increased. On the day it started, it had only 24 students (only one year), but now it has 280 students (all four years together).
All the girls are staying in the women’s hostel of Smt. Kandukuri Rajyalakshmi College for women, a separate wing was provided to our agricos in the hostel.
The college started equipping itself with classroom furniture i.e. comfortable chairs for seating, fans, and a water dispenser was also arranged in each classroom with mineral water for drinking purposes.
The teaching aids, like projector & screen for PowerPoint presentation, overhead projector, charts, display boards, etc., were arranged for effective teaching.
Apart from classroom teaching, the Agricultural College, Rajahmundry had improved a lot in conducting practical course curriculum. Two buses were provided by ANGRAU which are used to take the students to farms and villages for conducting practicals.
Apart from the farm, the students are being taken to RARS & APRRI, Maruteru; CTRI, Rajahmundry; Horticultural Research Station, Kovvuru, Agricultural Research Station, Peddapuram, KVK, Kalavacherla, and farmer’s fields for practical exposure.
The laboratories for Agronomy, Soil Science, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Computer Science and Physiology were established and laboratories for other disciplines are being established. A library with 4000 books, periodicals, and a digital library with 24 computer systems was established.
Extension Activities
The teaching staff had good expertise apart from undertaking teaching to undergraduate students, they are also actively involved in the transfer of agriculture technology (extension) by organizing various training programs to farmers, acting as resource persons, through radio talks, and TV programs for the benefit of the farming community.
The faculty is also working out possibilities for collaborative research with nearby premier research stations.
STUDENT’S STRENGTH
|
Year |
Number of students |
Remarks |
||
|
Male |
Female |
Total |
||
|
1st year (2021 admitted) |
36 |
63 |
99 |
Up to 3rd counseling |
|
2nd year (2020 admitted) |
26 |
63 |
89 |
|
|
3rd year (2019 admitted) |
18 |
46 |
64 |
|
|
4th year (2018 admitted) |
21 |
46 |
67 |
|
|
TOTAL |
101 |
218 |
319 |
|