Institutional distinctiveness, BAU, Sabour
The agricultural college at Sabour was established during pre-independence era to promote agricultural education and training in India. The foundation stone of the Bengal Provincial Agricultural College at Sabour was laid by Sir Andrew Henderson Leith Fraser, Lt. Governor of Bengal on 17th August 1908. The main heritage building of the college was constructed in 1910-11 and renamed as Bihar Agricultural College (BAC) after the partition of Bengal. Postgraduate education in Extension education commenced for the first time in 1955 at Sabour. BAC became affiliated with RAU, Pusa after the establishment of Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa in December, 1970. Subsequently on 5th August, 2010 Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Sabour was established as an autonomous university with its six constituent colleges namely BAC, Sabour; NCoH, Noorsarai; MBAC, Agwanpur; VKSCoA, Dumraon; BPSAC, Purnea; and DKAC, Kishanganj. The university conducts research on various aspects of agriculture and allied sectors. Till date 655 research projects have been implemented including in-house Projects (Seed money), AICRPs, Externally Funded National Projects, Internationally Funded Projects, Consultancy/Private Testing of Products and State Varietal Trials. Institutional collaboration with International and National institutes like IRRI, CIMMYT, ICRISAT, ICAR, MANAGE, Central Silk Board, etc are taken up to broaden its way forward. The University has developed 25 technologies in natural resource management that include Weed management in zero-tilled wheat, Nutrient management in scented rice-potato-onion organic cropping system, BGA Production technology for N supplementation in transplanted rice, Azolla: an eco-friendly source of plant nutrients for rice, Production technology of liquid Rhizobium, Azotobacter and liquid Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) biofertilizer, Co-Inoculation of liquid biofertilizers for N and P supplementation in rice-wheat cropping system, Sabour Bio-Arsenic Mitigator-1 etc. along with four technologies in product development and marketing, five in crop improvement, and 25 in crop protection that address the local agricultural issues. BAU, Sabour has also released several promising varieties for various crops like Bhagalpur Katarni, Sabour Harshit Dhan in rice, Sabour Shrestha, Sabour Nirjal in wheat, maize variety DHM-117, Linsed variety Sabour Tisi-1, Sabour Tisi-2, Sabour Tisi-3, cauliflower variety Sabour Agrim, Makhana variety Sabour Makhana-1. The University takes pride in claiming 6 patents till date that indicate novelty and its distinctiveness on a global platform. The university serves as a link between researches in the laboratory to the field in the form of Kisan Biotech hub projects for popularization of improved lathyrus genotypes and tissue culture banana plants in the region. The University has facilitated the filing and registration of GI tag for Bhagalpuri Zardalu (GI no. 551), Katarni Rice (GI no. 553), Shahi Litchi (GI no. 552), Mithila Makhana (GI no. 696) and Magahi Paan (GI no. 554). Such activities strengthen institutional linkages and build confidence of the farming community towards BAU, Sabour.
This university is one of the oldest seats for maintenance of nearly 249 mango genotypes in the country that started in 1941 in the form of Fruit Research Station and later supplemented with AICRP (Fruits) from ICAR. It is credited with the development of first two hybrid mango varieties ‘Prabha Shankar” and “Mahmood Bahar” in the country. BAU has two “Centers of Excellence”, one each in Sericulture and Horticulture working for sustainable agricultural diversification. The Center of Advanced faculty training in ICT at Sabour provides state of the art training facility to academicians of the country. The Farm Machinery Testing Centre is an important link between manufacturers and users of agricultural machines as well as other agencies responsible for the introduction and popularization of farm equipments. Farmer’s Corner, a combination of various tools, techniques and activities like Kisan help line, Soil testing services, Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa, Bihar Krishi app, Kisan Gyan rath, Sawal jawab etc, is hosted on the university website. To help farmers diagnose crop pests and diseases, an innovative e- NIROG app has been developed.
The University fosters development of characters and moral values in the students and faculty members through its various societal outreach programs and adoption of working motto “Work is Worship, Work with Smile”. In addition to the structured education for various degree programs; it engages itself in charity and adoption of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya. Sensitization on social issues like “Jal baachao” through adoption of “Jal bacchao prayer” on important occasions like convocation, seminars and symposium signifies our commitment to the society at large. Establishment and popular functioning of Nature Club addresses our commitment towards environment and society.
This institute has a strong commitment towards empowering women in agriculture. Our commitment to society for promotion of accountability, transparency and responsiveness in governance and standards of services being provided is reflected in the “Citizens Charter” prepared and presented on the university website and in practice. This University can proudly boast for addressing concurrent issues related to challenges of global warming, food and nutritional security, sustainable development, conservation of natural resources and improving profitability for small and marginal farmers through its policies and practices in education, research, training and its outreach extension programs. The policy document on “Blue resource conservation”, BAU eco-campus and environment stewardship policy, IT Policy, Academic regulations show our commitment towards transparency and efficient governance. The University has established SABAGRIS (Sabour Agri Incubators) to identify, incubate and assist start-ups with business model having relevance for rural and social impact and providing solutions to agro and allied business. Education is incomplete without inculcating ethical standards and societal responsibility. BAU, Sabour runs programs like NCC and NSS to orient students towards societal responsibilities and inculcate moral values.
Overall, the Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour is distinct as a multifaceted and versatile institution committed to holistic development of the agrarian state of Bihar while integrating its mandates and making a provision for imparting education in different branches of agriculture and allied branches of learning and scholarship; furthering the advancement of learning and conducting of research in agriculture; undertaking extension education activities for the welfare of people of the state and promoting partnership and linkages with national and international institutions.