Post Graduate College of Agriculture

About Us

The Post Graduate (PG) programme was initiated in 1974 and later shifted to the Pusa Campus of Rajendra Agricultural University (RAU) in 1979. With the upgradation of RAU to a Central Agricultural University as Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU) on October 7, 2016, the Post Graduate College of Agriculture (PGCA), RPCAU, Pusa was formally notified on April 25, 2019.

At present, the PG College of Agriculture at Pusa comprises ten departments: Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Extension Education, Agronomy, Entomology, Forestry, Genetics & Plant Breeding, Horticulture, Plant Pathology & Nematology, Seed Science and Technology, and Soil Science. These departments offer M.Sc. (Ag.) and Ph.D. programmes, providing advanced education and research opportunities in their respective disciplines.

PGCA is enriched with a highly qualified and experienced faculty committed to conducting strategic and applied research aimed at enhancing the productivity and quality of agricultural produce. The faculty also plays a vital role in mentoring students in emerging areas of agricultural science and technology.

In addition to its strong academic and research focus, PGCA promotes holistic development through a variety of extracurricular activities including sports and games, National Service Scheme (NSS) involvement, and cultural programs. Academic support is further strengthened through classroom lectures, group discussions, seminars, series tests, and examinations, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience for all students.

Goals

• To impart education in various branches of agriculture and allied fields.
• To undertake basic, strategic, and applied research for developing technologies to enhance the productivity and quality of agricultural and animal produce.
• To disseminate scientific information to farmers.
• To plan, organize, and conduct on-campus and off-campus training programs for various stakeholders to build human resource capacity in agriculture.
• To assist the state government in supplying breeder seeds for the production and multiplication of foundation and certified seeds.
• To provide consultancy services and expert advice in agricultural research and development to industries, NGOs, and other organizations.
• To serve as a repository of national and international scientific information on all aspects of agricultural and animal production.
• To collaborate with national and international agencies for the overall development of agriculture in the state.

Thrust Areas of Research

1. Natural Resource Management (NRM) & Forestry

• Digital agriculture for crop production
• Climate-resilient agriculture
• Regenerative agriculture
• Management of calcareous soils
• Biotic and abiotic stress management
• Natural and organic farming
• Integrated farming systems
• Nursery raising of quality planting materials
• Structural and functional soil dynamics
• Ecosystem assessment under various land-use systems
• Development of industrial agroforestry models
• Agroforestry assessment with respect to climate change and carbon sequestration
• Identification of suitable fodder tree species for agroforestry
• Evaluation of agroforestry systems’ effects on wood quality

      2. Crop Improvement

• Development of resilient crop varieties for various field crops
• Management of Plant Genetic Resources (PGRs) for specific traits
• Standardization of rapid generation advancement techniques for major crops
• Breeding of biofortified rice, wheat, and pulses
• Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS) for stress resistance
• Development of resilient seed technology techniques
• Skill development in seed production, quality testing, and entrepreneurship
• Seed quality enhancement using standard techniques
• Standardization of molecular marker tools to support Grow-Out Tests (GOT)

      3. Crop Protection

• Monitoring emerging pest and disease dynamics (field surveys and taxonomy)
• Use of molecular interventions in pest management
• Validation and standardization of sustainable pest management practices
• AI-driven monitoring using Decision Support Systems and drones
• Production and dissemination of biocontrol agents
• Pesticide residue monitoring and resistance management
• Research on beekeeping advancements and product diversification

      4. Horticulture

• Collection and screening of horticultural germplasm
• Development of production protocols (PoPs) under protected conditions
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for major horticultural crops
• Study of crop phenology in relation to climate change
• Production of quality planting materials through in-vitro techniques
• Post-harvest management and value addition

      5. Social Sciences

• Impact assessment of RPCAU technologies and government schemes
• ICT-led knowledge management and institutional innovation
• Standardization and validation of psychometric and index-based tools
• Value chain and supply chain analysis with a focus on market-led extension
• Gender-responsive agricultural extension and governance through capacity building
• Economics of secondary agriculture and allied sectors

Rooted in Science, Growing in the Field

Cocurricular activities: Nurturing Talent Beyond Classrooms

Faculty from Discussion Rooms to Training Grounds

Rice Field Day	Wheat and Barley Field day celebrations
Millets Field day

Departments:-

1. Agricultural Economics

2. Agronomy

3. Entomology

4. Extension Education

5. Forestry

6. Horticulture

7. Plant Breeding & Genetics

8. Plant Pathology & Nematology

9. Seed science and technology

10. Soil Science