Shillong June 25: Union Agriculture Minister, Narendra Singh Tomar informed in Lok Sabha that the Central Agricultural University (CAU) at Umïam (Barapani) in Meghalaya was proposed to set up to cater to the needs of Meghalaya and Nagaland in 2009.

The question was raised by Shillong Lok Sabha MP, Vincent H. Pala in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

Pala wanted to know the details to the present status of the Agriculture University in Meghalaya, and the number of students enrolled in the Agriculture College at (Umïam) Barapani every year during the last two years along with details of courses at the college.

Around 200 acres of land at Kyrdemkulai was allotted by Meghalaya for the establishment of the Central Agriculture University. However the College of Agriculture is being set up there at present. The Khasi Students Union demanded that a full-fledged CAU should be set up at Kyrdemkulai, but not the Agriculture College.

Replying to the question, Tomar informed that the Central Agriculture University was proposed to set up at Umïam (Barapani) in Meghalaya to cater the states of Meghalaya and Nagaland on the basis of ‘in-principle’ approval obtained from the Planning Commission in 2009.

“Subsequently, an Act governing the Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal was amended, fulfilling the requirement of setting up the separate CAU at Umïam (Barapani), Meghalaya. The ministry has also received a representation from the state government of Meghalaya and the same is being examined,” Tomar said.

On the number of enrolled students, Tomar said that in the College of Agriculture, (Umïam) Barapani/Kyrdemkulai, only degree course of BSc. (Honours) in agriculture is imparted and the number of students enrolled in the Agriculture College, (Umïam) Barapani during the last two years was 18 students during 2017-18 and 18 students during 2018-19.