The former Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Ranjeet Deshmukh, who is the influence of this new proposed university, named after his father siad "Farmer suicides, poor yields, low remunerations, crop damage due to untimely or inadequate rains, were some of the issues disturbing me for the last few years. Hence this new university has been planned to come over these issues."
He also said that, together some experts in the field and we came up with this concept of an open agricultural university that would take the lead in educating and training farmers.
Mukund Gaekwad, who has been appointed as the Chancellor of this new University. He is a visiting professor of agriculture in International universities and former head of horticulture department at Mahatma Phule Agriculture University, Rahuri. He said,"We will start with study centres and training programmes first in Vidarbha and the state and gradually spread over to all over the country".
Also, the new Vice Chancellor of this university Ashok Dhage said "We have applied for registration to the Distance education Society, New Delhi and expect to get it in two weeks".
Mr.Deshmukh further explained how it will be different from traditional agriculture universities where students at the end of three to five years of courses get little practical knowledge to improve agricultural practices. "We plan to entirely revolutionize farm education by giving it a practical base", he added.
About the courses: The varsity will offer courses - a three-month certificate course, a diploma degree and postgraduate specialised course. Stress will be laid on use of weather forecasts, value addition of crops and eco-friendly organic farming. Also World class scientists will be hired who will teach (through video-conferencing) the latest farming methods.