<p>Practical examination for admissions to bachelors’ degree in agriculture-related courses under the agriculturist quota is likely to take a new shape from this year in the light of Common Entrance Test (CET) to these courses offered by agricultural universities in the State.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The practical exam is scheduled to be held on May 10. Unlike in the past, now students need not appear for multiple entrance exams of different agricultural varsities as admissions to all courses in these universities will be made through CET.<br />Speaking to Deccan Herald, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, (UAS-B) Vice Chancellor K Narayana Gowda said a meeting of officials from all the agriculture sciences universities in the State will be held on Monday to discuss the new pattern for practical exam for candidates seeking admission under agriculturist quota. “We will finalise the changed pattern of the exam in a day or two,” he said. To encourage students from agriculture families, admissions are being made under the agriculturist quota in these varsities for more than three decades.<br /><br />As defined in the CET-2013 brochure, “Agriculturists, children of agriculturists, manual labour or children of manual labour in agricultural activities with main source of income from agriculture/ animal husbandry/ fisheries/ manual labour in agricultural activities” can apply under the quota. Candidates are also required to produce a certificate attesting their claim by the tahsildar. <br /><br />For selection under the quota, 25 per cent each of the marks scored in II year Pre University exam and the CET will be taken into account. The remaining 50 per cent will be from the practical exam. In case of Bachelor’s in Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, 50 per cent will be taken from CET and the other half from the practical exam.<br /><br />Candidates will be asked to demonstrate their farm skills in the practical exam. All these years, each agriculture university would test the skills of the candidate drawing questions based on the local conditions, as the students too would be normally from the areas in the vicinity of the varsity. <br /><br />This year, the varsities will have to devise a new pattern as it is a common exam across the State. Coming out with a common practical exam will be a tricky affair as candidates from each region would have varied experience of agriculture based on the topography and climate of their place. “For instance, a person from Raichur would not have seen a crop such as Ragi. We have to evolve a scientific and objective manner for conducting the exam,” Narayana Gowda said. <br /><br />The CET brochure provides broad pointers to the practical exam. Some of the areas in which candidates will be examined are ploughing over a short length; identification of forest species; identification of grains; agriculture, veterinary or fishing equipment; transplanting of paddy; seed sowing; knowledge of manure and fertilisers among other topics. <br /><br />Courses and varsities<br /><br />Agriculture-related courses listed under the CET include Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, agriculture marketing, agriculture engineering, veterinary sciences, sericulture, horticulture, forestry, dairy and fisheries. Universities offering these courses are UAS, Dharwad, UAS, Bangalore, University of Agriculture and Horticulture Sciences, Shimoga, University of Horticulture Sciences, Bagalkot and Karnataka Veterinary and Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar.</p>
<p>Practical examination for admissions to bachelors’ degree in agriculture-related courses under the agriculturist quota is likely to take a new shape from this year in the light of Common Entrance Test (CET) to these courses offered by agricultural universities in the State.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The practical exam is scheduled to be held on May 10. Unlike in the past, now students need not appear for multiple entrance exams of different agricultural varsities as admissions to all courses in these universities will be made through CET.<br />Speaking to Deccan Herald, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, (UAS-B) Vice Chancellor K Narayana Gowda said a meeting of officials from all the agriculture sciences universities in the State will be held on Monday to discuss the new pattern for practical exam for candidates seeking admission under agriculturist quota. “We will finalise the changed pattern of the exam in a day or two,” he said. To encourage students from agriculture families, admissions are being made under the agriculturist quota in these varsities for more than three decades.<br /><br />As defined in the CET-2013 brochure, “Agriculturists, children of agriculturists, manual labour or children of manual labour in agricultural activities with main source of income from agriculture/ animal husbandry/ fisheries/ manual labour in agricultural activities” can apply under the quota. Candidates are also required to produce a certificate attesting their claim by the tahsildar. <br /><br />For selection under the quota, 25 per cent each of the marks scored in II year Pre University exam and the CET will be taken into account. The remaining 50 per cent will be from the practical exam. In case of Bachelor’s in Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, 50 per cent will be taken from CET and the other half from the practical exam.<br /><br />Candidates will be asked to demonstrate their farm skills in the practical exam. All these years, each agriculture university would test the skills of the candidate drawing questions based on the local conditions, as the students too would be normally from the areas in the vicinity of the varsity. <br /><br />This year, the varsities will have to devise a new pattern as it is a common exam across the State. Coming out with a common practical exam will be a tricky affair as candidates from each region would have varied experience of agriculture based on the topography and climate of their place. “For instance, a person from Raichur would not have seen a crop such as Ragi. We have to evolve a scientific and objective manner for conducting the exam,” Narayana Gowda said. <br /><br />The CET brochure provides broad pointers to the practical exam. Some of the areas in which candidates will be examined are ploughing over a short length; identification of forest species; identification of grains; agriculture, veterinary or fishing equipment; transplanting of paddy; seed sowing; knowledge of manure and fertilisers among other topics. <br /><br />Courses and varsities<br /><br />Agriculture-related courses listed under the CET include Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, agriculture marketing, agriculture engineering, veterinary sciences, sericulture, horticulture, forestry, dairy and fisheries. Universities offering these courses are UAS, Dharwad, UAS, Bangalore, University of Agriculture and Horticulture Sciences, Shimoga, University of Horticulture Sciences, Bagalkot and Karnataka Veterinary and Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar.</p>
