Students Protest Removal of AH and Dairy from Agriculture Syllabus

Core subjects like Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science have been withdrawn from the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree course. Students who have completed their courses in Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science from all four agricultural universities across the state staged a protest against this decision at the Maharashtra Agricultural Research and Education Council (MAREC) premises in Pune.

Students are demanding that both the subjects of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science be retained in the syllabus of the 6th Dean’s Committee as per the syllabus of the 5th Dean’s Committee. Students said that if the decision taken by the committee is not changed, their careers would be negatively affected.

What has changed? 

Considering the importance of the subject of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science in the agriculture degree course, four subjects (8 weightage) Rural Agricultural Work Experience (0+2 weightage), and Experiential Learning (0 / 10 weightage each) were taught. According to the 5th Dean’s Committee Report of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, one subject (3+1=4 weightage) of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science was included in the Agriculture Degree Course.

As per the rules, keeping in mind the urgency and importance of the state, the Dean’s Committee was allowed to improve the said curriculum by up to 30 percent, accordingly, all the subjects were being taught as per the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science. However, from the academic year 2024-25, as per the report recommendation of the 6th Dean’s Committee of ICAR New Delhi, only one subject (1+1=2 weightage) has been included in the Agriculture degree curriculum again.

Dr Satappa Khadtare, Dean, said, “Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science are important components of the integrated agricultural business chain. For the sustainable development of farmers and rural population in Maharashtra, the combination of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Farming is necessary in agricultural education. Veterinary degree courses emphasise animal disease and treatment, whereas agricultural degree courses teach subjects related to food and animal management and dairy farming.”

Sachin Patil, a student representative said, “Since there is scope for improvement in the syllabus up to 30 percent, it is important to include all the above subjects in the agriculture degree curriculum of the 6th Dean’s Committee through the Maharashtra Agricultural Education and Research Council, Pune. So that the agricultural degree holders get knowledge of animal husbandry and dairy science and use it for the all-round development of farmers, animal husbandry, and rural people.”

Source : Dairynews7x7 Jan 13th 2025 Pune mirror