Agriculture being the mainstay of our economy, modernisation in agriculture production system is imperative. Modern agriculture practices are increasingly turning out to be knowledge-based and hence, require education at all levels to meet the challenges of Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization. In this direction, availability of educated quality human resource is important for the development of agriculture sector. Agriculture sector is not only about scientific research and development, but also it provides an opportunity for students to develop as an entrepreneur. The knowledge on agriculture is gained through various sources. In the present era of ICT, the role of hard copy i.e., books cannot be undermined. The efforts have been made to provide rich source of knowledge through publication in the form of book. The present book discusses the multifaceted aspects of entrepreneurship development among agricultural graduates. The book primarily looks into the state-wise and gender-wise growth in number of agriculture and allied subject graduates and the status of entrepreneurship development among these graduates. The book also gives the picture of socio-economic profile of graduates and graduating students, which is important in understanding their influence on entrepreneurship development. It also explains the entrepreneurial profile of agriculture and allied graduates and the results of measurement of aptitude among graduating students and graduates of agriculture and allied subjects. A modest attempt has also been made in the book to assess the impact of practical oriented courses like experiential learning, RAWE, State/All India Tours and field visits to entrepreneurial farms that already exist in the present curriculum on entrepreneurship development. The information on the missing of entrepreneurial orientation in the present curriculum and type of orientation required to become an entrepreneur is incorporated with dimensions of entrepreneurship. At the end, the book identifies some of the areas which are important to enhance the entrepreneurship development among agriculture and allied graduates in the form of recommendations. The recommendations would be of immense interest and help to policy-makers, educationists and the teachers in enhancing the quality of agricultural education to foster the entrepreneurship development among agriculture and allied graduates to translate thing gained and into actions and continued behaviour on entrepreneurial mode.
Dr. G.M. Hiremath is Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture, UAS, Raichur. He has put in more than ten years of experience in UAS, Raichur and teaches courses in Agricultural Economics for both Undergraduate and Post-graduate students at College of Agriculture, Raichur. Prior to joining this organization, he served in UAS, Dharwad and ICAR institute as a Research Associate for more than five years and also in the Population Research Centre, Dharwad which is sponsored by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India for more than four years. He has also served as a Project Manager for a period of two years in Karnataka Health Promotion Trust, Navanagar, Hubli in the project operated by Manitoba University, Winnipeg, Canada sponsored by Canadian Institute of Health Research. He is a recipient of NFP fellowship of Dutch Government to attend the International training on “Market Access for Food Security Towards Pro-poor Inclusive Market Development” at Centre for Development Innovation, Wageningen UR, The Netherlands in 2015. He has successfully completed two national level research projects funded by Directorate of Marketing and Inspection, Faridabad and Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi related to Agricultural Marketing and Entrepreneurship Development. To his credit more than 50 research papers published in reputed national and international journals and has also written popular articles in farm magazines and daily newspapers for the benefit of farming community. He has also contributed in the form of presentation and participation in national and international conferences. He attended one conference organized by CICRED-INED, France at Singapore which was completely sponsored by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). E-mail: gmhiremath41@gmail.com.
Dr. D.M. Chandargi, is presently working as Director of Extension, UAS, Raichur. He has completed Ph.D. in Agricultural Extension Education in the year 1996 from University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka. He has put in around 35 years of service in different capacities as extension worker, scientist and administrator in State Department of Agriculture and Agricultural University. He has also served as a Registrar of UAS, Raichur for a period of two and half years. He has significantly contributed to the field of Agricultural Extension Education, management, rural development and sustainable livelihoods in particular. He has worked on income generation activities of SHGs and evolved policy document through World Bank funded Sujala watershed project. He has worked as outreach expert in International project on “Consolidation of Food Security in South India” funded by CIDA collaborated by Mc Gill University, Canada. Presently he is handling ICAR, NAHEP-IG project on "Digitisation of library services to strengthen and develop competitive human resources at Agricultural University" as a Principal Investigator with a budget of Rs. 5.00 crores.