Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad, announced that it has drawn up plans to launch an “agri-incubation centre” aimed at promoting startups in the agricultural sector.

“You have startups in every field. But not in agriculture…What we are trying to do is, make the students think innovative,” said V Praveen Rao, the Vice Chancellor. He also went on to add that the incubation centre will arrange capital for the startups incubated there. Students will be encouraged to launch startups in various areas of interest such as organic farming and agri clinics. When citing examples, Rao stated that such startups can make products such as turmeric powder (using newer, faster processes) millet breads and noodles.

According to the Vice Chancellor, the incubation centre is expected to come into existence next year. The university has set for itself the foremost task of inculcating and nurturing an entrepreneurial spirit in its students, so that they may become “job providers instead of job seekers”, as per the Vice Chancellor.

The training in entrepreneurship is aimed toward students in their final year of B Sc. (Agriculture) and the students enrolled in post graduate courses. In order to achieve its aim, the university planning to set the wheels turning on the process of entrepreneurship and training by increasing the capacity of students.

“We changed the curriculum in the B Sc. (Agriculture). Earlier, students used to go to farmers (for four months), stay there and the practical component is (then) over. Now, we have course work for three years. Entire final year, they have to be out,” said V Praveen Rao, The Vice Chancellor.

Once their stay with the farmers has concluded, the students are also made to gain practical knowledge through” Experimental Learning Units” , for instance they will learn about producing vermi- compost.

In addition to this, the students are sent for corporate training for a period of 12 weeks. The Vice Chancellor also stated that a Rs. 35 crore proposal has been submitted to the Government to offer vocational training courses to farmers as well as students.

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