Agricultural education was first started in Bihar in 1945 with the establishment of Bihar Agricultural College at Sabour in the district of Bhagalpur. Later on, it was realised that the agricultural situation and features of the plateau region of South Bihar is different from the rest of Bihar. Hence there was a need of a second college for this region. Ranchi Agricultural College was established in 1955, Ranchi Veterinary College in 1962 and College of Forestry in 1980. Considering the importance of agricultural education for the agricultural development of the state, the first Agricultural University in Bihar - Rajendra Agricultural University was started in1971 with its headquarters at Pusa. In view of the specific agriculture features of Chotanagpur and Santhal Parganas, the es

Agricultural education was first started in Bihar in 1945 with the establishment of Bihar Agricultural College at Sabour in the district of Bhagalpur. Later on, it was realised that the agricultural situation and features of the plateau region of South Bihar is different from the rest of Bihar. Hence there was a need of a second college for this region. Ranchi Agricultural College was established in 1955, Ranchi Veterinary College in 1962 and College of Forestry in 1980. Considering the importance of agricultural education for the agricultural development of the state, the first Agricultural University in Bihar - Rajendra Agricultural University was started in1971 with its headquarters at Pusa. In view of the specific agriculture features of Chotanagpur and Santhal Parganas, the establishment of a second Agricultural University, for this region of the Bihar State, was conceived. 

Birsa Agricultural University was established on 26th June, 1981 after its formal inauguration by the then Prime Minister of India, Late Smt. Indira Gandhi. Its primary objective is to develop area specific technologies and manpower in the field of agriculture, animal husbandry and forestry for the agricultural development of the plateau region of Bihar and economic upliftment of tribal and other backward class population of the region. The programmes and activities of education, research and extension are carried out through three faculties (Agriculture, Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry and Forestry) with thirty five departments, College of Biotechnology, six Directorates, three Zonal Research Stations and farms, one University farm, sixteen Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Computer Centre, Central Library and other infrastructure and service units. Being a completely residential university, hostels for boys and girls, and residential facilities for Teachers/Scientists and supporting staff have been provided in the campus.

Central Library:

The Central Library, Birsa Agricultural University was established in the year 1987. During the last 18 years of its existence, sincere efforts have been made to equip the library. The post graduate students, research scholars and scientists engaged in various ICAR / State Govt ./ Govt . of India schemes are makinging full uses of the library facilities. The Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke Ranchi is University having dedicated to the promotion of Education, Research and Extension in Agriculture, Veterinary, Forestry and Biotechnology. It has the largest collection on Agriculture, Veterinary, Forestry and Biotechnology and allied subjects. Library is growing very fast with computers, multimedia units and various electronics gadget due t

Central Library:

The Central Library, Birsa Agricultural University was established in the year 1987. During the last 18 years of its existence, sincere efforts have been made to equip the library. The post graduate students, research scholars and scientists engaged in various ICAR / State Govt ./ Govt . of India schemes are makinging full uses of the library facilities. The Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke Ranchi is University having dedicated to the promotion of Education, Research and Extension in Agriculture, Veterinary, Forestry and Biotechnology. It has the largest collection on Agriculture, Veterinary, Forestry and Biotechnology and allied subjects. Library is growing very fast with computers, multimedia units and various electronics gadget due to the whole hearted financial provisions of the ICAR-NATP project. The library caters the informational needs to Students, Teachers, Scientists and Research Scholars of all the educational institutions situated in Ranchi.

Computer Centre:

The Computer Centre is a central facility of the University which caters to the various needs of the students, research scholars, faculty / scientist and staff members of the university. The Computer Centre has two components namely Agricultural Research Information System (ARIS) Cell and Computer Labs. Apart from these, it also consists of Class Room and Conference Room. ARIS Cell and Computer Labs are well equipped with state-of-the-art hardware and software. The departments of different faculties, RAC Library, Central Library, Administrative Building and Faculty of Forestry are connected through high speed connectivity. 

The main purpose of the labs is to empower the teaching, reserch and extension by use of Information technologies. In addition to this, training is one of the main activities of the Centre. The Centre frequently organizes training programme on Computer Application for the scientists/employees/students of the university.

Hospital:

The University has been running a good hospital with a qualified doctor and nursing staff. This facility is available for the students & staff members of the University. For emergency, an Ambulance has also been provided under the control of Warden of Hostels.

Name : Dr. U.S.Verma

Designation : Chief Medical Officer

Phone : 0651-2450734 (Hospital), 0651-2231905 (Res.)

Mobile : 98351-67743

Resi. : 300/G, Mission Gali.Kankr Road, Ranchi-834008, Jharkhand (india).

Green house, Glass house & Poly house:

University has 7 Green houses, 4 glasshouses, 8 poly houses & 2 mist chambers for research, instruction as well as demonstration purposes. Students as well as farmers are trained about entrepreneurship development on protected horticulture technology in these poly houses. 

Sports and Games:

All the required facilities for games and sports, cultural and literary activities have been provided to students. Altogether, 4 sports fields are in the university out of which two are well developed while the other two are in the process of development. An athletic coach trains the students. Each hostel has been provided with Table Tennis set, Badminton court (open and indoor) and other indoor games facilities. Recently, University has developed a Gymnasium with state of the art Gym items at a place where indoor game facility is also available. In RVC Campus a gym coach guides the students. Students of Agriculture, Veterinary and Forestry faculties have been provided with essential musical instruments required for cultural programmes.

Instrumentation facilities:

There is a Central Instrumentation Lab in different Faculties. Instruments are used for curricular research and research conducted under different projects. Some of these sophisticated instruments are: Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, Gas Chromatograph, Automatic N Analyzer, Uv- VIS Spectrophotometer, Leaf Area Meter, Chlorophyll meter, Amino Acid Analyzer, Lyophiliser, Pressure Plate Apparatus, Photosynthesis Meter etc.

Video Conferencing:

With the help of MANAGE, Hyderabad, Video conferencing facility was developed at ATIC, BAU. It is connected through ISDN. Through this facility farmers of this region are able to interact with scientists, agriculture officers and farmers of other states in India.

Birsa Hariyali Radio Station: A Comm unity Radio Station:

A community Radio Station “Birsa Hariyali Radio was established in the ATIC with the help of Media Lab Asia and World Development Foundation, New Delhi. It started functioning on 3rd March 2008. The frequency allotted to this CRS is 107.8 FM. The coverage area of this CRS is 10 to 12 Km radius. Training for Radio Jockey is also being conducted after establishment of this radio station. One scientist is the In-charge of this Radio Station. One Co-ordinator and three Radio Jockeys have been engaged on temporary basis to run this CRS.

Veterinary clinic is well equipped with diagnostic and curative equipments like x-ray machine,

dialysis unit, surgery facility, for outdoor and indoor treatment to cater the needs of ailing

animals. Recently one intensive care unit (ICU) has been made functional. There is separate

house for owner of the animal.

There is one Technology Park situated in the main campus where the recommended

technologies are demonstrated for farmers. Beside there is one four ha integrated Farming

System Model for training, demonstration & research purposes.

ATIC (Agriculture Technology Information Centre) is equipped with Kisan Call centre and

Birsa Hariyali Community Radio centre to fulfill the queries and requirements of farmers of

the state.

Hostels:

University is having altogether 14 students hostels out of which 5 are for girls while rest 9 are for boys. All the hostels are equipped with modern facilities like, computer, internet, telephone, common rooms with magazines, newspapers and XV. Each hostel is having indoor game facilities. One Gym has also been provided to boys and girls hostel. In each hostel, mess is being managed by the University and equipped with modern essential items. Recently, two rooms in each hostel have been furnished, one as office of Dy. Warden while another as guest room. Each hostel is connected with generator to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

Hostels:

University is having altogether 14 students hostels out of which 5 are for girls while rest 9 are for boys. All the hostels are equipped with modern facilities like, computer, internet, telephone, common rooms with magazines, newspapers and XV. Each hostel is having indoor game facilities. One Gym has also been provided to boys and girls hostel. In each hostel, mess is being managed by the University and equipped with modern essential items. Recently, two rooms in each hostel have been furnished, one as office of Dy. Warden while another as guest room. Each hostel is connected with generator to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

Training:

Large number of training programmes were organized by Directorate of Extension Education during 2004-05 for different levels of clienteles. The details of the number of OFF campus and on campus training programmes organized by the Directorate of Extension Education are given below. 

A) Off Campus Training:

The following Topics were covered during Off Campus training programmes arranged by the different departments for the farmers.

Organic farming

Integrated pest management in vegetables

Mushroom cultivation

Horticultural Science

Improved cultivation of roots and tubers

Use, repair and maintenance of improved farm implements

Medicinal plants

Training:

Large number of training programmes were organized by Directorate of Extension Education during 2004-05 for different levels of clienteles. The details of the number of OFF campus and on campus training programmes organized by the Directorate of Extension Education are given below. 

A) Off Campus Training:

The following Topics were covered during Off Campus training programmes arranged by the different departments for the farmers.

Organic farming

Integrated pest management in vegetables

Mushroom cultivation

Horticultural Science

Improved cultivation of roots and tubers

Use, repair and maintenance of improved farm implements

Medicinal plants

Floriculture

Common ailments caused by malnutrition

Importance of vegetables and fruits in the diet

Improved techniques of fruit production

Simple recipes of fruits and vegetables

Low cost method of preservation of fruits and vegetables

Importance of balanced diet

Anemia and its control

Improved Pig rearing practices

Dairy farming for livelihood development

Pig breeding for Socioeconomic development

Integrated fish farming at Ormanjhi, Namkum, Jamtara, Dumka, Chaibasa

B) On Campus Training Programme:

Agri-Clinic and Agri-Business Management 

One training programme for unemployed graduates of Agriculture and allied disciplines on Agri-clinics and Agri-Business management were organized by the Directorate of Extension Education during the period under report. The main objective of the training was to motivate the unemployed graduates to set up their own Agri-Clinic and Agri-Business centers and offer professional extension services to farmers. 

Supervisor's Training Programme :

This is a central sector scheme sponsored by Ministry of human resource development, Govt. of India, New Delhi . The programme started from the year 2000 with objective to generate resource persons in the field of Horticulture and build capabilities to adopt Horticulture as a means of self-employed. Twenty five students having the qualification of intermediate or equivalent were trained during the period under report.

C) Training under women's employment programme under N.A.T.P.:

Farm women are considered to be the most crucial working force in agriculture. Very little attention has been paid till now to develop their skills. They provide physical labour in crop and animal production, post-harvest operations including processing, and contribute income to the household as well as participate in decision making, however, they are largely “invisible” because, no systematic effort has been done to reflect their economic contribution in agriculture. Simultaneously, the technological changes have bypassed women by denying them in imparting knowledge, skill, training and extension support services. This has raised several gender issues and concerns in agricultural development, which requires to be addressed through appropriate strategies for rural women's empowerment. 

Training is a powerful means of empowerment. Farmer's training is a kind of learning process where selected group of individuals undergo learning experience to internalize the skills, resulting in the modification of behavior towards specific job experience. Thus training is viewed to be the process of developing or augmenting knowledge, skill and attitude which leads to empowerment. 

Keeping these facts in view, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) sponsored a special training programme for empowerment of women in agriculture under the National Agricultural Technology Project(NATP), Consequently, Department of Extension Education, Birsa Agricultural University , Ranchi (Jharkhand) put up a project proposal. The proposal was approved by the Council for conducting 5 no. of location-specific and need-based training programmes. The programmes were conducted during 2004-2005 in selected villages of Namkum Block in Ranchi district.