New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Thursday gave its approval for strengthening and development of Agricultural Education at a total cost of Rs.2276.65 crores during the Eleventh Plan period.

Of the total cost, Rs.1125 crores will be spent on developing and strengthening of Agricultural Universities, Rs.135 crores on niche area of excellence, Rs.250 crores on experiential learning and Rs.125 crores on libraries.

The rest of the amount will be used in other areas including educational quality and reforms (Rs.3 crores); human resource development (Rs.216.70 crores); and modernization of Agricultural University farms (Rs.421.95 crores).

Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Prithviraj Chavan said, "The Scheme aims to enhance the quality and relevance of agricultural education so that the human resource thus developed can contribute to sustainable development of agriculture and is also able to respond to national challenges and external pressures due to rising competitiveness in curricula, establishing niche areas of excellence, creating experiential learning units, accreditation, supporting faculty development, promoting excellence and expertise of the scientists of eminence, reducing inbreeding in education, and providing funds for critical as well overall development and strengthening of the Agricultural Universities".

"This will lead to improvement in structural and infrastructural facilities like classrooms, laboratories, girls' and boys' hostels, international hostels, libraries, museums, sports complexes, examination halls, modernization of agricultural university farms etc", he added.

The Scheme will also provide fellowships, faculty development, student amenities and centers of excellence.