India’s agricultural sector, the backbone of its economy and source of livelihood for nearly half its workforce, is undergoing a quiet revolution. A landmark higher education initiative — the National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP) — has modernised teaching, empowered women, and equipped a new generation of students with the skills needed for a climate-resilient, technology-driven future.

Modernising Agricultural Education

Launched in 2017 by the Government of India and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) with support from the World Bank, the NAHEP set out to reform agricultural universities nationwide. The project has since strengthened 74 institutions, introducing digital learning, modern curricula, and global-standard training to ensure graduates are prepared for an evolving sector.

Between 2017 and 2022, enrolment in agricultural universities more than doubled, while female participation increased from 43.6% to 45.2%, signalling growing inclusivity. In total, 826,761 students and faculty have directly benefited from the reforms — nearly half of them women.

“India needs a new generation of agricultural professionals equipped to face climate, resource, and market challenges,” said a senior ICAR official. “The NAHEP has made agricultural education more relevant, aspirational and future-ready.”

Planting the Seeds of Reform

Over 600 new market-oriented courses have been introduced, spanning areas such as agribusiness analytics, artificial intelligence, robotics, and precision agriculture. Seventy-nine disciplines have been redesigned to meet industry needs, while students now gain practical experience through state-of-the-art laboratories featuring GPS, drones, and remote sensing technology.

“I learnt to operate drones for spraying pesticides and fertilisers,” said Gayathri, a graduate of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. “Now, I train others and plan to launch my own drone business.”

Expanding Digital and Global Horizons

Many universities have set up virtual classrooms, enabling students in remote areas to learn from international experts.
In Assam, Kavita, a 23-year-old student, said remote learning helped her master satellite imagery analysis:

“I can now interpret satellite data and help farmers use fertilisers efficiently while conserving water.”

Through NAHEP, hundreds of students have also gained international exposure, completing internships and research placements in Australia, Japan, Israel, Germany, and Saudi Arabia.

Nurturing Agricultural Entrepreneurs

A defining success of the programme has been the rise of agri-startups. University incubators established under NAHEP have already supported over 120 ventures, helping young entrepreneurs attract investment and create jobs.

“We started with 100 farmers and now supply produce to 25 institutions,” said Ramesh, an agriculture graduate from Tamil Nadu. “We employ 25 people and aim to expand statewide.”

Technology Takes Root

An ICAR–World Bank survey across Assam, Odisha, and Karnataka found that 75–94% of students now regard digital technologies such as AI, GIS, and machine learning as essential for modern farming.

According to Bekzod Shamsiev, Senior Economist, and Farbod Youssefi, Senior Agribusiness Specialist at the World Bank,

“Students are gaining hands-on experience with AI for early disease detection, remote sensing for precision farming, and blockchain for transparent supply chains. This is transforming agricultural education in India into a forward-looking, technology-led discipline.”

Impressive Results

• Enrolment: More than doubled (25,000 → 54,000 students)

• Female participation: Increased from 43.6% to 45.2%

• Graduation rates: Rose from 77.6% (2017) to 96.1% (2024)

• Graduate placement: Increased from 42% to 67% overall, and to 71.1% for women

• Admission quality: Cut-off scores doubled (26% → 41.8%)

• Faculty research: External grants surged from 28 (2017-18) to 444 (2023-24)

• Total beneficiaries: 826,761 (of which 421,138 women)

A Model for the Future

By aligning education with technology and entrepreneurship, the NAHEP is helping India build a new generation of agricultural leaders.

“Agriculture today is not just about crops,” said Vartika Gupta, a graduate from GB Pant University. “It’s about sustainability, innovation, and securing our planet’s future.”