University of Agricultural Sciences - Bangalore

About University of Agricultural Sciences - Bangalore

University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, an autonomous Institute was established on 6-6-1963. The UAS was inaugurated by Dr Zakir Hussain, the Vice President of India on the 21st Aug 1964 in the august presence of Mr Chester Bowles, the then US Ambassador to India and Sri S Nijalingappa, the then CM. In 1969: Smt. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister, inaugurated GKVK campus on 12th July. The University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore known as UAS (B) has the main campus at GKVK, Bangalore and teaching campuses at Hassan, Mandya, Shimoga, Ponnampet and Chintamani.The University, in addition to main campus at GKVK, Bangalore, has Colleges in five teaching campuses, offering degree programmes in seven disciplines and diplomas in five disciplines in agriculture and allied subjects, Postgraduate programmes in 22 disciplines at Master’s level including MBA (Agri-business Management) and 13 disciplines at Ph.D. level. Research infrastructure consists of 21 Research Stations of which 6 are Zonal Agricultural Research Stations (ZARS). The University Extension provides service through Extension Education Units, Krishi Vignana Kendras, Farmers Training Institute, Staff Training Unit, Bakery Training Unit, Agricultural Technology Information Centre and Communication Centre covering Development and Communication of Farm Information; Farm Advisory Service, Farm trials and demonstrations, Village adoption, Training of extension workers, farmers and farm women in addition to publication of scientific journals and other literature. Diploma in baking Technology started during 2006-07, diploma in Horticulture Nursery Management, Agricultural Extension Service for input Dealers (DAESI), Diploma in Sericulture started during 2007-08 & postgraduate certificate course on Bio safety in plant Biotechnology started during 2008-09.

Constituent Institutions

• College of Agriculture - Bangalore.
• College of Agriculture - Shimoga.
• College of Agriculture - Mandya.
• College of Agriculture - Hassan.
• College of Forestry - Ponnampet.
• College of Sericulture - Chintamani.

Location  - The two campuses at Bangalore are located on the Bangalore-Hyderabad National Highway No.7 with its Headquarters at Gandhi Krishi Vignana Kendra (popularly known as GKVK Campus) and Hebbal Campus.

Departments 

• Agronomy.         
• Agricultural Economics.         
• Agricultural Entomology.         
• Agricultural Engineering.         
• Agricultural Extension.    
• Agricultural Marketing Co-Operation.        
• Agricultural Microbiology.        
• Agricultural Statistics, Applied Mathematics and Computer Science.     
• Apiculture.     
• Biotechnology.
• Crop Physiology.
• Food Science and Nutrition.
• Forestry and Environmental Science.
• Genetics and Plant Breeding.
• Horticulture.
• Plant Pathology.
• Seed Science and Technology.
• Sericulture.
• Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry.

Facilities

Hostel - All student are required to live in 7 College Hostels including Girls Hostels with separate arrangements for Post Graduate and Under Graduate Hostels at GKVK Campus. The Boys and Girls Hostels are situated at Mudigere, Chintamani, Ponnampet, Mandya, Shimoga, Hassan. There is a common room with a coloured TV with Cable facility, internet, Music room, indoor games room and a Library having selected books, magazines and newspaper etc., besides courts to volley Ball, badminton, Basket Ball and table Tennis in most of the Hostels. The Hostel Cafeteria is equipped with refrigerator, Water Cooler, Solar, LPG Cooking, Job Computer facility, BSNL Telephone booth. Each Hostel Cafeteria is run and managed by the students No Profit no loss basis through Hostel Supervisory Committee.

Staff Residential Facilities - The University campuses have residential accommodation for teachers, scientists and farm labours on the campuses. On the whole the UAS provides accommodation to 430 employees. At the Hebbal campus there is a Colony Staff Club which is organizing activities like sports, cultural activities for the staff members and also running a school for the benefit of its members and UAS Employees from Nursery to 10th Standard for about 1000 students.

Library - The Library has 1,69,835 volumes of books. The Library has created a database of Books, Journals, Theses, Reports and Reference sources and it’s made available through ‘OPAC’. The library has also created databases of current periodicals, CD’s, on-line Journals subscribed and digitized database of Theses available in the Library. The Internet Services has been provided at the GKVK library for the Staff and P.G. Students. Eleven Electronics Journals are also subscribed by the University Library . These e-journals can also be accessed at the GKVK Library, Hebbal campus Library and all the colleges and Departments at the GKVK and Hebbal campuses. In order to provide up to date and latest Scientific information to the users, the Library is getting 394 Periodicals (print) including 56 Foreign periodicals. Publications that are not available in the Library and are requested by users can be obtained on loan from other Institutes, likewise publication will also be lent out on a reciprocal basis to other Institutes. CD-ROM Database includes CAB – CD ROM - 1990 - 2006, Horticulture CD ROM - 1973 - 2000, Veterinary CD-ROM - 1973 - 2000, AGRIS CD – ROM - 1975 - 2000, NUCSI etc.

Travel Facilities - To facilitate, travelling by students going to their homes during the semester break and to undertake study tours in different parts of India, railway concession orders are arranged for them.

Laboratory - The university has well equipped specialized Laboratory / research units with sophisticated equipments to carry out both fundamental and applied research in the area of agricultural sciences.

Some of the facilities at GKVK:

1. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer.
2. Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer.
3. High Performance Liquid Chromatography.
4. Kjedahl Unit.
5. Gas Chromatography.
6. Sophisticated Microscopes.

Medical and Health Centre - A full fledged University Hospital under the supervision of a whole time Chief Medical Officer in-charge Surgeon, Two Contract Medical Officer, a Lady Medical Officer render round the clock service to the students and staff members and their families. There are separate ward for Male and female students. All the serious cases are referred to big hospitals like Malya Hospital, Manipal Hospital, Columbia Hospital.

Distance Education - The University provides correspondence courses on different aspects for educating the literate farmers on principles involved in production technologies, to motive the participant farmers to apply such knowledge gainfully. The Directorate of Extension in consultation with the concerned scientists of University designs the correspondence course with suitable syllabus in vernacular language.

Scholarship and Free Studentship - The University awards Merit Scholarships, General Scholarships and Free Studentship to the students as per University Regulations / Government Orders. Limited Financial assistance shall be provided to the poor and needy students as per University guidelines from Students Aid Fund. For award/renewal of General Scholarships, the income certificate submitted at the time of Admission shall alone be considered for all the years of their study. The SC/ST/Category - I and other category students have to compulsorily apply for Government of India Scholarship / Government of Karnataka Scholarship / Fee Concession etc.

Sports - Physical education has been made a compulsory subject during the first year of all Undergraduate programmes. The students are taught physical exercises, yoga and different sports and games depending on their aptitude. There are very well laid out play grounds and gymnastic hall at all colleges campuses and are being upgraded regularly.

Research Stations - The UAS, Bangalore has 23 research stations spread over in six agro-climatic zones with required infrastructures to undertake research on need-based issues of zones. The stations have an irrigated area of 451.56 ha and rain fed area of 758.06 ha. Each research station is provided with adequate laboratory / field, administrative buildings, threshing yard and power supply units to conduct research . The research faculty is provided with residential accommodation, health service facility and other civic amenities.

National Seed Project - National Seed project (NSP) was started during the year 1979-80 with the financial assistance from World Bank of Rs.1.68 crores with a grant-in-aid of Rs.45 lakhs from GOI. With this assistance, the University has established two seed processing units, one at GKVK, Bangalore and another at ARS, Kathalagere with a seed processing capacity of 5 and 10 qtls/hour respectively. In addition, the storage facilities were also established to accommodate around 15,000-20,000 qtls of seeds. Further, NSP was strengthened under Mega Project by providing additional seed processing plant, storage and production facilities with the following objectives.

Reservation of Seats - Admission to the University is made subject to reservation of seats for:

1.  Agriculturists or children of Agriculturists as defined in the Act of UAS, 2009 Bangalore (23.8%) : “Agriculturist”, for this purpose means a person who, as owner or tenant, holds land and whose main source of income is from personal cultivation of the land, including any person whose principal means of livelihood is from manual labour in Agricultural land. The seats under this category will be filled through Practical Test conducted by the University followed by Counselling-cum-Admission.

2.  Kannada Medium Study - Five per cent of the seats will be reserved horizontally in favour of the Kannada Medium Candidates who have studied TEN full academic years in Kannada Medium from the 1st Standard to 10th Standard, in accordance with the Government Order No. ED 118 UEC 2000, Bangalore.

NCC Candidates - Eligibility:

i) who has participated in the Republic Day Camp conducted by the Director General of NCC, New Delhi from Karnataka and who possess ‘B’ Certificate obtained during the five year period of study in Karnataka between 8th and 12th Standards ; or

ii) who has participated in the following camps conducted by the Director General of NCC, New Delhi from Karnataka and who possesses ‘B’ Certificate obtained during the five year period of study in Karnataka between 8th and 12th standards namely:

• All India Thal Sainik Camp (Boys) : TSC (B).
• All India Thal Sainik Camp (Girls) : TSC (G).
• All India Nau Sainik Camp : NSC.
• All India Vayu Sainik Camp : VSC.

Cadet who has been finally selected as a part of DG NCC team to Participate in All India Movalankar Shooting Championship at National Level and Youth Exchange programmes and Foreign Naval Cruise organised by DG, NCC.

iii) who have participated in the following camps conducted by the Director General of NCC, New Delhi from Karnataka and who possess “B” Certificate obtained during the five-year period of study in Karnataka between the 8th and the 12th standards namely : (a) All India Thal Sainik Camp (Boys) - TSC (B); (b) All India Thal Sainik Camp (Girls)- TSC (G); (c) All India Nau Sainik Camp - NSC ; (d) All India Vayu Sainik Camp - VSC (e) Cadets participate in All India Movalankar Shooting Championship as a part of Karnataka and Goa Director Team And in complete - Mountaineering Expeditions (over 5900 mtrs.), Sailing Expeditions using wind power only (401 Kms.) Motor Cycle Expeditions (more than 3500 kms.) and Cycling Expeditions (more than 1500 Kms.), organised by DG, NCC / NCC Director of Karnataka and Goa.

iv) who has participated in the following camps / courses conducted by the Director General of NCC, New Delhi from Karnataka and who possesses “B” Certificate obtained during the five-year period of study in Karnataka between 8th and 12th standards namely : (a) NIC ; (b) Trekking ; (c) Mountaineering ; (d) BLC ; (e) ALC; (f) RCTC and (g) Army, Navy, Air Force and Hospital Attachments.

v)  who possesses ‘B’ certificate obtained during the five-year period of study in Karnataka between 8th and 12th standards.

Student’s Placement-Cum-Counselling Cell - The Student’s Placement-Cum-Counselling Cell has been set up for the benefit of final year UG and PG students. The University organise an interface between industry, faculty and students every year to create awareness regarding job opportunities and there after facilitate planning of their careers. Campus interviews are arranged through initiative both from the University and the Industry. The students are counselled on the job requirements and trained for the interview with the help of the faculty and other invited experts. Till now, various Organizations/ Institutions/ Companies like Reliance Industries, ITC, Canara Bank, Syndicate Bank, State Bank of India, NABARD, NAFED, Godrej Agrovet Ltd., Coffee Day, Monsanto, Metahelix, Namdhari Seeds, ISKCON, Bio-fuel Mission, MCF etc. have conducted campus Interview to recruit the deserving.

Other Activities

Krishi Mela - The Directorate of Extension organizes four days Krishi Mela at the University head quarters every year, in which nearly 1,00,000 farmers participate. Further, the Directorate organizes the field days at zonal Agricultural Research Station and Agricultural Research Stations every year.     
 
Farmers Award - The University has initiated awarding best farmer and farm-woman from each of the fifteen districts under the jurisdiction of the University. The awards will be given to the awardees during the Krishi Mela.     

World Food Day - The World Food Day is celebrated through Extension Education Units, KVKs and FTI on 16th October every year to mark the day on which FAO was founded in 1945. The theme of World Food Day recalls the contribution of different cultures to World agriculture against hunger and environmental degradation.     

Women in Agriculture Day - Women in Agriculture Day is celebrated through the Extension Education Units, Farmers Training Institute, Krishi Vigyan Kendras etc., every year on 4th December to mark the contribution of farm-women in the field of agriculture.     

Exhibitions - The Directorate of Extension actively participates regularly in the organization of Agricultural exhibitions at the National, State and District level. Similarly, this activity is undertaken during special events organized at the University.     

Organizing Workshops/ Seminars/ Summer School - The workshops, seminars and summer schools will be organized on need-based issues related to Agriculture and allied aspects, to benefit the farming community and extension functionaries.     

Programme Study Centre - The programme Study Centre is to be established at the Directorate of Extension from the year 2006. The memorandum of understanding is being signed between the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi and the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore. It serves as counselling centre for the courses relating to agriculture and allied aspects.

Centres Of Excellence

Some of the areas in which the University has established Centres Of Excellence are:

• Advance Centre for Dry land Technology and Watershed Management.
• Centre for Integrated Pest Management.
• Centre of Integrated Nutrient Management.
• Centre on Silkworm Genetics and Breeding.
• Centre for the Evaluation of Genetic Purity and Qualitative Traits of the Seeds.
• Centre for Information Technology in Agriculture.
• Centre for Advanced Studies in Physiological and Molecular Aspects of a Biotic Stress Responses.
• Centre for Studies in Global Climate Change and Food Security.
• ORP on Woolly Aphid Management in Sugarcane, Mandya / Kathalagere / Honnavile.
• ORP on Management of Red-headed Hairy Caterpillar in Groundnut at Pavagada.
• Bio-fuel Park at Hassan.
• Organic Farming Research Centre at ZARS, Navile, Shimoga.
• Organic Agricultural Research Station at Nagenahalli, Mysore.
• Mega Seed Project, NSP, GKVK.
• Pilot Project on Processing of Fruits and Vegetables.
• Establishment of Plant Health Clinics and Disease Forecasting Units in Research Stations in all districts of the Southern Karnataka.
• Medicinal and Aromatic Plants.
• Community Based Tank Management Project Consultancy Services.
• Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Economics.

ARIS - Agricultural Research Information System has been formed to strengthen Information Management Culture using modern tools within the National Agricultural Research Information System (NARS) so that agricultural research becomes more efficient and effective.

The major objectives are:

• To put information close to managers and scientists.
• To build the capacity to organize, store, retrieve and use the relevant information into the agricultural research infra-structure.
• To share the information over NARS.
• To improve the capacity to plan, execute, monitor and evaluate research programs.

The ARIS has four information modules namely;

• ARPIS - Agricultural Research Personal Information System.
• ARFIS - Agricultural Research Financial Information System.
• ARLIS - Agricultural Research Library Information System.
• ARMIS - Agricultural Research Management Information System.

Directorate of Extension - The Directorate imparts farm information, training of farmers and extension functionaries, educating the farmers through field activities such as demonstrations, field visits, field days, farm advisory service etc.

Features

• FIU - The Farm Information Unit undertakes various activities in development and communication of farm information and its dissemination to farmers as well as field extension workers. It coordinates with Doordarshan, ETV and Udaya TV in producing television programmes like documentaries, live phone-in programmes, panel discussions, field coverage etc. and arranging talks, interviews, phone-in programmes, discussions, tips to farmers etc. on All India Radio, related to agriculture and allied activities. It is involved in developing CDs, video cassettes and documentaries on agriculture, horticulture, sericulture, forestry, watershed, value added products etc.

• ATIC - Agricultural Technology Information Centre provides information on agriculture technologies in addition to providing other inputs like seeds, plant materials, etc. including advisory services through single window system. The ATIC is intended to provide formal management mechanism between the scientists and technology users.

• Kissan Call Centres - Government of India dedicated Kissan Call Centres with Toll free telephone no.1551 to the nation on 21st Jan. 2004, to enable the farmers for easy and instant access of information on the problems related to the crops, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides commodity prices, veterinary etc. One such level-II at Kissan Call Centre is attached to the ATIC of the University. The diverted calls received from the Level – I KCC is being answered by the SMS of the University Consultancy Cell at Level-II.

• STU - Staff Training Unit organise institutional training courses; field oriented training programmes for various personnel of private, government and quasi-government organizations.

• FTI - Farmers Training Institute provides both institutional and peripatetic training programmes. Sponsored training programmes are also being organized as and when sponsoring agencies approach the institute for imparting training for farmers / farm-women / members of Self Help Groups and field functionaries of different line departments.

• ATMA-SAMETI - Agriculture Technology Management Agency and State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute are responsible for technology dissemination at the district level through Strategic Research and Extension Plan.

• BVAC - Bakery & Value Addition Centre provides:

1. Diploma in Baking Technology of one year duration.
2. 14 weeks certificate course in Bakery Technology.
3. 3 days, 2, 4 weeks training programmes.
4. Other specialized and sponsored training programmes.

• CC - Communication Centre is a coordinating centre to help the UAS administration, research, teaching and extension wings in respect of publications, Audio-visual Aids, Graphic & Photographic and Printing work. This service of printing work is also provided by the Centre to various departments of the University on request.

• DKS - Department of Kannada Studies publishes agricultural literature in kannada in terms with the recommendations of the National Education policy of Education commission to promote regional languages along with the National Language.

• NAEP - National Agriculture Extension Project is a nodal agency for providing training and updating the knowledge and skills of field extension functionaries of Karnataka State Department of Agriculture and other line departments.

• AC & ABC - The Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres Training Cell provides training to the unemployed Agricultural Graduates to set up their own Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres. It has been formulated by the Small Farmers’ Agri-business consortium (SFAC), New Delhi. MANAGE, Hyderabad is coordinating in organizing the training programme.

• EEUs - The Extension Education units are the nodal agencies for conducting field extension programmes. Each unit has a team of subject matter specialists to coordinate and assist the field functionaries at grass root level. The units motivate the farmers to adopt newly developed farm technologies in an integrated manner, with an ultimate goal of enhancing the net economic returns of farmers from an unit area of land. There are four Extension Education Units working at Hebbal, Nagenahally (Mysore), Mudigere and Ullal (Mangalore). Extension Units are located at ARS, Hiriyur, Kathalagere, Honnaville and are represented by one extension functionary to conduct extension activities around a given ARS with the same mandate and objectives of EEUs.

• KVKs - Krishi Vigyan Kendras provide intensive hands on training in various aspects of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry etc. to encourage farm-women and unemployed farm youth to start their agro based enterprise in their locality. These KVKs would also conduct on-farm testing of various agricultural and allied technologies for refinement and conduct frontline demonstrations on oilseeds, cereals and pulses.

Various KVKs

1. KVK, Mudigere, Chickmangalore District.
2. KVK, Kandali, Hassan District.
3. KVK, Bramahavar, Udupi District.
4. KVK, Navile, Shimoga District.
5. KVK, V.C.Farm, Mandya, Mandya District.
6. KVK, Konehally, Tumkur District.
7. KVK, Hiriyur, Chitradurga District.
8. KVK, Haradanahally, Chamarajnagar, Chamarajanagar District.
9. KVK, Kanakanadi, Mangalore, Mangalore District.
10. KVK, Chintamani, Kolar District.
11. KVK, Hadonahally, Doddaballapura, Bangalore Rural District.

University Consultancy Cell - It will be paid consultancy for resource rich farmers growing commercial crops and taking up Hi-tech Enterprises. However, the Cell will provide consultancy services free of cost to small and marginal farmers.

NSS - National Service Scheme each students of I and II Year participate to earn credits during his degree programme by attending 10 days special camp organised in the adopted colony and completing the course activities. The NSS is coordinated by Dr.Shivalinge Gowda, NSS students are required to work in villages under this scheme.

Alumni Association - The office of the Alumni Association of University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore is located in its own building in the Animal Science Campus, Hebbal by the side of Veterinary College, facing the National Highway –No.7, the only way to Bangaluru International Airport.

Crop Museum - A Central Museum is established at the old Agricultural College building of Hebbal Campus having carpet area of 1040 sq.mtrs. There is also a live museum attached to it in an extent of 2.00 ha. There is a Botanical Garden at GKVK campus spread over an area of about 25 ha. with a Herbarium and green house.

Achievements

• The University was recognised as the best Agricultural University in the country for the year 2001 by the ICAR conferring the Sardar Patel Outstanding ICAR Institution Award for excellence in Teaching, Research and Extension.

• The University bagged the first place in ICAR’s All India Competitive Examination for Junior Research Fellowship during 2003 and 2005.

• The Krishi Vignana Kendra, Hassan received the best KVK Award for the Biennium 2002-2003 for outstanding contribution in the field of Technology Transfer, Refinement and Training.

• The UASB Students secured overall Championship in the 5th (2003-04) and the 8th (2006-07) All India Inter-Agricultural Univesity Sports and Games Meet, and Athletic Championship (Men) in the 7th (2005-06) and the 8th (2006-07) in All India Inter Agricultural University Sports and Games meet and overall Runner-up Trophy in the 7th All India Inter Agricultural University Youth Festival 2005-06 and the Overall Championship in the 10th All India Inter Agricultural University Youth Festival 2008-09.

• The UAS Bangalore ranked third among State Agriculture Universities in India 2008.

• Major Research Break Throughs - Crop Sciences.

1. Ragi varieties (HR, MR, Indaf, GPU series and ML 365).
2. Hybridization in sunflower and rice.
3. Watershed for sustainable production.
4. Integrated nutrient management in dry land.
5. Simarouba glauca - An edible oilseed tree for wastelands.
6. Vaccines from plants against rabies.