Dr Katyal told The Indian Express that national-level post-graduate curricula and agricultural and allied sciences have been restructured in an effort to establish and regulate a formal national course curriculum and encourage common academic standards. Though the nation’s agricultural sector is secure and satisfactory, said the Vice-Chancellor, the shifting global agricultural landscape and advancements in agro-technology have led the NCG to suggest several reforms. Under the new system, he said, courses on bioinformatics, statistics, fisheries, farm forestry and food technology will take priority, while existing classes will be revamped.

In its report, the NCG has suggested opening multi-faculty centres in for biotechnology, climate change and food technology. Courses are to include post-harvest technology, commercial entomology crop, animal-health management, aquatic-environment management, bio-security and bio-safety. Non-credit compulsory courses in library and information services, technical writing, communication skills, and intellectual property rights have also been recommended. There is new emphasis on human resources, professional services, and research and specialist facilities to meet an expected shortage of trained experts. The group also calls for a Rs 100 crore grant per year per SAUs.