Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth

Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, also known as PDKV Akola, is one of the agricultural universities in the state of Maharashtra. The university was incepted in 1969 to promote and develop the methodology of agriculture. The university is a member of the Association of Indian Universities, AIU. It has been assigned with the responsibility of agricultural education, research and extension education along with breeder and foundation seed program. It is a state university, recognized by University Grant Commission, UGC. The university has its jurisdiction over the districts of Bulihana, Akola, Washim, Amrawati, Yawatmal, Wardha, Nagpur, Chandrapur, Bhandara, Gondia, and Gadchiroli.

PDKV Akolaoffers undergraduate programs in Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry, and technical program in Agricultural Engineering. Masters programme is offered in several disciplines in the faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Engineering. The university lays stress on extension education. Institution Village Linkage Program (IVLP) is a pilot project on technology assessment and refinement. Admissions to all the programs are held under the norms of Maharashtra Council of Agricultural Education and Research (MCAER), Pune. The University implements common syllabus for all under graduate degree programs. The examinations in respect of all under graduate programs are conducted under supervision of Board of Examinations following a common pattern for four Agricultural universities in the state.

 

Staff of the university has undertaken research activities in more than 4000 hectares at the main campus and other research stations. The university has strong crop improvement achievements through breeding in crops like Cotton, Sorghum, Paddy, Pulses, Groundnut and Wheat. At any time, the university several pan India co-operative programs and ad-hoc schemes. The university has achievements in the fields of Forestry, Fishery, Veterinary Sciences, and Dry Land Horticulture. The university has done pioneer work in cytoplasmic male sterlity in cotton, and watershed development. It has established an Advanced Centre for Training in Dry Land Agriculture Technology. It has achieved three-fold enhancement in yield of major crops by evolving new crop production tehcnologies including new hybrids/ varieties.

The campus of Akola has hostel facilities for ladies. Adequate hostel accommodation is available at different colleges for different degree programmes. The central library has more than one lakh books on agriculture. A computer centre with internet facilities is located in the main campus. Sports and co-curricular activities are promoted.

Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth was established in 1969 in Akola. The agricultural university has been named after the illustrious son of Vidarbha Dr Panjabrao (alias Bhausaheb) Deshmukh, who served as the Minister for Agriculture, Government of India.