Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

The Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, usually abbreviated as either B.Sc.(Agr.) or B.S.A. or B.Sc.(Ag.) or B.Sc. (Hons.) Ag. is the first undergraduate degree awarded by university faculty of agriculture and agricultural colleges. The program is 4 years of study above Grade 12 High School graduation.

The B.Sc.(Agr.) degree differs from a B.Sc. degree in that the courses focus on agriculture: for example, the student will study agricultural economics rather than economics. Like engineering or forestry, agricultural science courses are infused with practicality.[1]

The B.Sc.(Agr.) degree is normally not a general degree but requires specialization: for example, majoring in animal science, plant protection, soil science or agricultural engineering.

There are also variations on the theme: for example, the Bachelor of Agricultural Economics (BAgrEc) degree

History of the degree

In Canada, the Ontario Agricultural College (founded 1873) began awarding a three-year B.S.A. degree through the University of Toronto in 1888: a fourth year to the program was added in 1902.[2]

In the United States, the Morrill Act of 1862 (also known as the Land Grant Act) had a large influence on the rise of agricultural education and the spread of the B.Sc.(Agr.) degree. By the early part of the 20th century, all the agriculturally important states had at least one college or university awarding the B.Sc.(Agr.) degree.

B.Sc.(Ag.) in India

Size of agricultural education in India

India has one of the world's largest agricultural education system with 42 State Agricultural Universities (SAUs),[3] 1 Central Agricultural University (CAU), 5 Deemed Universities (DUs) and 4 general Central Universities with Agriculture faculty. These institutions enroll on annual basis about 15,000 students at UG level in as many as 11 disciplines and over 7,000 students at PG and 1700 at PhD level. At any point, there are over 75,000 students studying in SAUs. In addition to this, there are large number of private colleges both affiliated and non-affiliated to SAUs which also annually admit larger number of students. Many general universities also offer agricultural education either themselves or through affiliated colleges. Agricultural education is a broad term which includes disciplines of Agriculture (Agronomy), Veterinary Science, Forestry, Fisheries, Horticulture, Home Science etc.[4]

Regulatory framework of agricultural education in India

Agricultural education in India is presently regulated by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Veterinary Council of India ( Veterinary sub-discipline) and Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (Forestry sub-discipline). However, The 'Committee to Advise on Renovation and Rejuvenation of Higher Education’ (Yashpal Committee, 2009) has recommended setting up of a constitutional body - The National Commission for Higher Education and Research, which would be a unified supreme body to regulate all branches of higher education including agricultural education.[5] The UPA government has included Yashpal Committee recommendations in its '100 days agenda'.[6] However, inclusion of agricultural education in the new framework is still undecided.[7]

Features of the Indian B.Sc.(Ag.) degree

The B.Sc.(Ag.) degree in India is typically a 4-year course under credit based semester system. The minimum qualification for entry to B.Sc.(Ag.) is Intermediate (12 years of school education) in Science (with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and/or Mathematics) or Intermediate in Agriculture stream (limited states). The curriculum is very broad and inter-disciplinary consisting of courses in Agronomy, Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Agricultural Economics, Extension education, Genetics and Plant Breeding, Soil Science, Food technology, Animal Husbandry apart from supporting courses in Basic Sciences, Humanities and Agricultural Engineering. The program also includes a compulsory 1 semester of internship (Rural Agricultural Work Experience). Most of the courses are infused with practicality with emphasis on 'hands on' experience and 'learning by doing'.

Prior to 1998, the B.Sc.(Ag.) degree was known as B.Sc.(Ag. & AH) ( AH= Animal Husbandary) and evaluation was on a 5-point scale. Since 1998, it has been designated as B.Sc.(Ag.) and the 'AH' part has been transferred to BVSc (Bachelor of Veterinary Sciences), which is now designated as BVSc & AH. However, B.Sc.(Ag.) still retains courses in Animal husbandary and nutrition. Also, the 5 point evaluation system was replaced with a 10-point system. The provision of 'optionals' in 7th/8th semester was also done away with in 1998.

In 2006, ICAR has recommended to re-designate B.Sc.(Ag.) as B.Sc. (Hons.) Ag.) and return to 'optionals' system in 7th/8th semester.[4]

Like, BE/BTech, MBBS or BVSc&AH, B.Sc.(Ag.) is considered as a 'professional' degree by Government of India. However, in recognition to its 4-year duration, B.Sc.(Ag.) holders are given some benefits like- B.Sc.(Ag.) holders receive higher stipend than BSc holders in DBT supported post graduate courses in Biotechnology.The Gazetted post like Agricultural Officer(Agronomist) the Basic educational requirement is Bsc Agriculture[8] 7ytre3aq3er5 agricultural batchelor of science

Bangladesh

Government or public
Private

Exim Bank Agriculture University, the country’s first private agriculture university in Chapainawabganj, started its journey creating new scopes for the students interested in higher education on agriculture. Honorable Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the university through a function at her official residence Ganobhaban on 9 October 2013. The vulnerable features of Northern Bangladesh characterized by frequent river erosion, flood and drought, social inequalities in education & health, and migration affecting livelihoods of its poor inhabitants inspired the Bank for undertaking some initiatives for their assistance in advancement. Until now, there is no existence of any private agricultural university in North Bengal although northern part of the country is densely populated and has enormous potential for agricultural development. A large portion of quality students having good results in SSC and HSC cannot get admission into public agricultural university every year. In essence, availability of admission would enable them to pursue higher education in agriculture. EXIM Bank Supports export import initiatives throughout the country. North Bengal has potentially to grow many exportable agricultural commodities.

Considering this circumstances and through dialogue with Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), Department of Agricultural Extension(BAE), Department of Livestock Services(DLS), etc., EXIM Bank has meanwhile perceived an understanding and justification of setting-up of "EXIM Bank Agricultural University, Bangladesh(EBAUB)", a private agricultural university at Chapainawabgang, Rajshahi, to be the first of its kind in Northern Bangladesh, to create greater opportunity of diversified and demand-driven education for the prospective medium income group candidates at their doorsteps, as well as to create an opportunity for conducting agricultural research to solve local problems.

Professor Dr. Md. Abdul Mannan Akanda, a veteran plant pathologist, joined the EXIM Bank Agricultural University (EBAU), Bangladesh, as its vice chancellor. He is the first VC of the university. Before joining this university, he was the vice chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University. Professor Akanda was born on December 30, 1953 at Kalairpar village under Fulbaria Upazila of Mymensingh District, Bangladesh. He is the eldest son of Late Md. Abbas Ali Akanda and Musamat Mujiron Nesa. He obtained his Secondary education from Kandania High School, Fulbaria, Mymensingh in 1969 under the Dhaka Board and Higher Secondary education from Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh in 1971. He got B.Sc.Ag (Honours) degree in 1974 and M.Sc. (Ag) degree in Plant Pathology in 1975 from BAU, Mymensingh. He got excellent results in all stages of his education and research. He obtained his PhD degree in Plant Virology from Kyushu University, Japan in 1991. And also he accomplished double Post DOC in Curriculum Development under Course Credit System and in Biotechnology, respectively, from Oregon State University in 1993 and Hawaii in 2005, USA. The professional career of Dr. Akanda began from February 2, 1978 as Scientific Officer at Pulse Research Project of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), Plant Pathology Department, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh. After that, he joined in Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur as Scientific Officer in December 29, 1989 and worked under Plant Pathology Division, for near about eight years with promotion as Senior Scientific Officer. In July 7, 1987, he was joined to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU) as Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology and has been serving in the same as Professor until to-date. He has in his own credit more than hundred articles published in different highly ranked, peer-reviewed national and international journals, books, booklets, papers, proceedings, magazines and newspapers. Professor Akanda has attended several professional training courses both at home and abroad mostly on plant virology, biotechnology and molecular virology.

The University has a mission to provide education and learning to its students to prepare them for assuming greater responsibilities as administrators, teacher and professionals and others. EXIM Bank Agricultural University, Bangladesh (EBAUB) will be a privately supported, co-educational institution. Its major commitments will be to provide international standard agricultural educational program at undergraduate & graduate levels and impart continuing educational, public and research services at the most reasonable cost to students.

  BBA in Agribusiness/MBA in Agribusiness
  Degree offer: BSc in Agriculture(Honours)

See also

References

  1. ↑ NSAC example of programs Retrieved 8 November 2007
  2. ↑ OAC history Retrieved 8 November 2007
  3. ↑ Retrieved 23 June 2009
  4. 1 2 Retrieved 23 June 2009
  5. ↑ http://www.hindu.com/nic/yashpalcommitteereport.pdf
  6. ↑ Sibal: Yash Pal panel report will be implemented in 100 days, The Hindu, 25 June 2009, http://www.hindu.com/2009/06/25/stories/2009062559491300.htm
  7. ↑ http://www.indianexpress.com/news/higher-education-body-yashpal-for-change-in-plan/518072/
  8. ↑ Retrieved 23 June 2009
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