As foremost step for quality improvement of education, the ICAR has periodically been appointing Deans Committees for revision of course curricula for under graduate programmes of agricultural education. In this series, the Fifth Deans' Committee has developed the report by undertaking comprehensive consultations and a bottom up approach for curriculum development. Inputs from different stakeholders of agricultural education were obtained at different levels. The course curricula have been restructured and reoriented to develop much needed skills and entrepreneurial mind-set among the graduates to take up self-employment, to sustainably enhance rural livelihood security, and to propel agricultural transformation through science informed policy options and actions.To reorient graduates of Agriculture and allied subjects for higher employability and greater entrepreneurship, the Student READY (Rural Entrepreneurship Awareness Development Yojana) programme has been introduced in all the Agricultural Universities as an essential prerequisite for the award of degree to ensure hands-on experience and practical training.
With the objectives to develop competent human resource and showcasing the strength of National Agricultural Research nad Education System (NARES), Netaji-Subhas ICAR International Fellowships were introduced for pursuing Ph.D. programme at Indian agricultural universities (AUs) for overseas candidates and in foreign universities for Indian candidates. Annually the fellowships are awarded based on the priority areas of study related to plant sciences, animal sciences, social sciences, fisheries, agricultural engineering, food processing and natural resource management. Further, the capacity building of faculty of NARES in Cutting-edge-areas through Centers of Advanced Faculty Training (CAFT)/Summer-Winter Schools (SWS). Incentive for quality teaching given in the form of best teacher award.
For improving educational standards and assuring an acceptable institutional quality, the accreditation is being done at regular intervals by an Accreditation Board established by the Council with well defined objectives and functions. To fulfill the requirements, the Accreditation Board has been rechristened as National Agricultural Education Accreditation Board (NAEAB).To support the NAEAB for conducting accreditation of Higher Agricultural Education Institutions (HAEIs) in the country and for fast tracking of accreditation process of agricultural universities, four Regional Centres of NAEAB have been established at IARI, New Delhi (for Northern region), IIHR, Bengaluru (for Southern region), CRIJAF, Kolkata (for East and North Eastern region) and CIFE, Mumbai (for Western region).
In order to achieve excellence in teaching, research, consultancy and capacity building, niche area of excellence is being supported in specific cutting edge areas. To provide much-needed skill and developing entrepreneurship and building confidence among UG students, Experiential Learning modules have been established in AUs. To enhance learning resources including writing of text books and preparation of quality instructional material and e-facilities, the libraries of AUs and that of their constituent colleges are being strengthened benefiting the students across the country, leading to improved quality of postgraduate education and research.