ABOUT US: Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, http://pdkv.mah.nic.in Akola was established on 20^th October, 1969. This Agricultural University was named after the illustrious son of Vidarbha Dr. Panjabrao (alias Bhausaheb) Deshmukh, who was the Minister for Agriculture, Govt. of India. The jurisdiction of this university is spread over the eleven districts of Vidarbha. The University has its main campus at Akola. The instructional programmes at main campus are spread over in 3 Colleges namely, College of Agriculture, College of Agricultural Engineering & Technology and Post Graduate Institute. The University has its sub-campus at Nagpur with constituent College, College of Agriculture. The Nagpur Campus is accomplished with a garden, surrounded by its natural beauty and a well established Zoo which attract the general public and visitors to the city. A separate botanic Garden is being maintained on 22 hectares with a green house for the benefit of research workers.

Moreover there are two affiliated Agricultural colleges one each at Amravati and Warora, Dist: Chandrapur.

EDUCATION/ACADEMICS: The University offers four Bachelor's degree programmes namely B.Sc. (Agril.), B.Sc. (Horticulture), B.Sc. (Forestry) and B.Tech (Agricultural Engineering). Masters' degree programme is offered in 14 disciplines in the faculty of Agriculture and 4 disciplines in Agricultural Engineering while doctoral (Ph.D.) degree programme is offered in 11 disciplines in the faculty of Agriculture.

The Post Graduate Institute offers a Masters Degree programme and Doctoral degree Programme in Land Resource Management. In addition to these academic programmes in Higher Education, the University also offers 2 Years Post-Matriculation Diploma courses in Agriculture and Animal Husbandry and one year Mali Training Certificate Course with Marathi language as the medium of instruction.

RESEARCH: This University has around one thousand trained, scientific, technical & supporting staff engaged in research activities undertaken over 4000 hectares at the main campus and other research station. Strong crop improvement programs through breeding in crops like Cotton, Sorghum, Paddy, Pulses, Groundnut and Wheat are regular features of Research Programs besides developmental work in the fields like Dry-land Horticulture, Veterinary Sciences, Forestry and Fishery.

University has done pioneer work in the following areas:

• Cytoplasmic male sterility in cotton first of its kind in world agricultural scenario.
• Watershed development - scientists internationally awarded for their outstanding research work on watershed development.
• Demonstration on large area "Israel Technology of Cotton Production" - first time in India.

The significant achievements of the University are given below:

• Three-fold enhancement in yield of major crops by evolving new crop production technologies including new hybrids/ varieties.
• Production and spread of HNPV for biological control of cotton boll-worm.
• Evolution of Mini-Dal mill suitable for rural agro-based industry.

EXTENSION: Imparting of extension education is one of the mandatory functions of the University. University has one Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), which undertakes training and Demonstrations for the benefit of farmers. The University has an independent publication unit. It publishes Krishi Patrika - a monthly Magazine and Krishi Margadarshika. The University is ultimately committed for the uplift of the farming community by organizing Extension Education programs based on the findings emerging from the concluded experiments.

Center of Excellence for Training on Dry-land Agriculture Technology

The Directorate of Extension Education of the University has been recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India, as the Center of Excellence for imparting training on Dryland Agriculture Technology. The Center has organized several workshops and seminars for the State level Officers from the Commissionerate of Agriculture, District Level Officers, Master Trainers of the University and Officers of the Central Government and the ICAR Institutes.

The Center also organizes short term training programs on the recommendations of the Government of Maharashtra, and the Government of India for their employees.

     Institution Village Linkage Program (IVLP)

The pilot project on technology assessment and refinement through IVLP sponsored by ICAR, New Delhi is being implemented by the University in the village Gorwha, Taluka Barshitakli, District Akola, since 1995. Under this program, 200 families have been adopted and are being benefited by the latest technologies on Cotton; Sorghum based Dry-land Agricultural Farming Systems.

ADDRESS: Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth

                    Krishinagar, Akola-444104, Maharashtra

              Tel No. 0724-2258365 Fax No. 0724-2258219

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