Agricultural Education and Research in Madras State

Abstract

Agricultural education in Madras State was started as far back as in 1876 when an agricultural school was established at Saidapet. Training facilities in improved agriculture were provided for the students so that they can carry the knowledge acquired in modern methods of farming for the benefit of the farmers in increasing production. The need for a higher type of education was realised soon enough to raise the status of the school to that of a college in the year 1878. The students were trained in (1) a diploma course of three years duration and (2) a certificate course on practical agriculture. Following the decision taken to shift the venue of the college to a more suitable place for a wide-spread educational training, the Agricultural College, Coimbatore came into existence in 1907. At present, the Agricultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore has expanded to one of the premier institutions in India involving research work on seven major branches of agricultural science comprising of 20 different sections. This embraces research activities of both fundamental and applied aspects on crop production, extension and education.