The Kerala Agricultural University general council has approved the Budget for 2017-18 with an outlay of ₹579.57 crore.
K. Rajan, MLA, presented the Budget at a meeting chaired by Agricultural Minister and KAU Pro-Chancellor V.S. Sunil Kumar at Vellaanikkara on Monday.
The Budget estimate with an outlay of ₹579.57 crore and total revenue of ₹564.43 crore has a deficit of ₹15.14 crore.
The Budget envisages establishment of new agricultural colleges at Ambalavayal in Wayanad district and Kumarakom in Kottayam district, agri-polytechnics in selected locations, and a centre for plant genetic resources to conserve germ plasm of all native crop varieties.
Pesticide-residue analytical laboratory will be set up at Padannakad in Kasaragod district and Vellanikkara in Thrissur district and the radio tracer lab at Vellanikkara will be upgraded to the status of central analytical lab. A permanent exhibition unit will be arranged at Mannuthy.
The revenue and expenses under Plan is pegged at ₹75 crore and ₹69.3 crore respectively while non-Plan expenses is estimated as ₹415.7 crore as against the revenue of ₹369.20 crore.
While the total revenue under other heads — external-aided projects, internal revenue, and income from revolving funds — amounts to ₹120.23 crore, the expenditure under these heads comes to ₹94.57 crore.
Liability
The Budget speech also reveals that the university’s financial liability, which has accumulated over the years due to shortfall in State funding and stands at ₹145.18 crore. Climate resilient research programme and KAU brand of value-added products, research support for vegetable farming in the Vattavada-Kanthalloor belt, consultancy support for Haritha Keralam project implemented by local self-governments, and initiatives for green campuses are among the proposals.
Modernisation
An amount of ₹100 lakh has been earmarked for modernisation of classrooms, ₹78 lakh for upgrading library facilities, and ₹15 lakh for online courses to support entrepreneurship.
Release of new crop varieties including a drought-tolerant rice variety that can be harvested in 95-100 days and water conservation model units in university farms are other highlights.
The Budget emphasises on solar power. A Centrally sponsored solar park on the main campus and using solar power for farm operations are among the proposals.
For joint work
Mr. Sunil Kumar said that the government wanted the university and Department of Agriculture to work hand in hand and many of the Budget programmes could be implemented jointly.
Vice-Chancellor P. Rajendran assured the House that filling up of vacancies of teachers, staff, and labourers would be completed in a time-bound manner.
