Home -> Science Colleges In Assam -> Assam Agricultural University -> Under Graduate Courses -> Assam Agricultural University Department Of Horticulture
Courses Offered
- The Department of Horticulture came into existence with the establishment of the Agricultural College in 1948 with the objective of teaching horticulture in four year B.Sc. (Agri.) degree programme. With the establishment of Assam Agricultural university in 1969, the three mandate of teaching, research and extension in horticulture came into being. The post graduate programme offering M.Sc. (Agri.) degree in Horticulture was started in 1972 while PhD programme was initiated since 1986. Presently the department enrolls 15 seats in MSc (Agri) and 10 seats in PhD programme.
Research in the field of Horticulture in Assam was started prior to the establishment of the University. Citrus research was initiated at Government Citrus Fruit Research Station, Byrnihat in 1933. In 1960 Govt. of Assam initiated research on a few fruit Crops in Kahikuchi. After establishment of the University, a full fledge Horticultural Research station was established in 1973 at Kahikuchi and a Citrus Research station at Tinsukia in 1976. At present various coordinated projects as well as Horticulture Mission Project with financial assistance from ICAR, DBT sponsored projects and GOI funded projects are in progress. A number of NATP-CGP, ICAR Ad hoc and DBT sponsored projects had already been completed successfully.
In extension front, since inception of the university, the discipline of Horticulture has been putting its effort to solve horticultural problems of the state. With the joint efforts of the university and the state Government, a package of practices on horticultural crops for the benefit of the farmers of the state has been published. The scientists are putting continuous efforts to disseminate the generated horticultural technologies to the farmers of the state through the existing 20 Krishi Vigyan Kendras in various districts of the state.
Vision:
Promoting Horticulture as a profitable and viable sector by leveraging technology, increasing the income levels of Horticultural farmers and assuring them an improved quality of life, encouraging farm mechanization and hi-tech horticultural technologies and promoting organic farming as a way of life.
Mission:
The mission of the Dept. of Horticulture is to provide innovative teaching, research and training & demonstration in all the areas of horticultural science viz.1) Fruit Science, 2) Vegetable Science, 3) Floriculture & Landscaping, 4) Plantation Crop, Spices, Medicinal & Aromatic Plant Division
Objectives:
1. Implementation, strengthening and promoting world class under graduate and post graduate curricula in different branches of horticultural science
2. Formulating Post Graduate and Faculty Research programmes to address the problems of farmers and entrepreneurs keeping in view the need of the development of climate resilient crops
3. Developing and accessing modern tools & technologies for enhancing production of Horticultural crops and value added products, increasing farm income, accelerating Horticultural Growth on a sustainable basis while conserving the natural resource base
4. Advancement and sharing the science of production and management of fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants, PSMA and their use amongst farming communities to improve social, environmental and economic sustainability.
Short Term Plans:
1. Skill up-gradation of students and faculties, exposing them to Advance centres of Horticulture in the country and abroad
2. Short term research and extension projects to meet the immediate need of the farmers and new horti-preneurs
3. Training and demonstrations of horti-preneurs
Long term plans:
1. Formation of different divisions in Horticulture viz.1) Fruit Science, 2) Vegetable Science, 3) Floriculture & Landscaping, 4) Plantation Crop, Spices, Medicinal & Aromatic Plant Division.
2. To strengthen and develop expertise in quality production of horticultural produce, including the value added products for export market.
3. To formulate programme for commercial exploitation of indigenous fruits, vegetables and flowers.