National Agricultural Higher Education Project, Centre for Advanced Agricultural Science and Technology (NAHEP-CAAST)

NAHEP has been formulated by ICAR with a total cost of US$ 165 million for five years starting from 2017-18. The project is proposed on a 50:50 cost-sharing basis between the World Bank and the Government of India, implemented at the Education Divisi ment of India, implemented at the Education Division, ICAR, New Delhi. Overall, the project aims to develop resources and mechanism for supporting infrastructure, faculty and student advancement and providing means for better governance and management of agricultural universities, so that a holistic model can be developed to raise the standard of current agricultural education system that provides more jobs and is entrepreneurship oriented and on par with the global agriculture education standards. There are four key components under NAHEP, namely; Institutional Development Plan (IDP), Centres for Advanced Agricultural Sciences and Technology (CAAST), ICAR to support excellence in agricultural universities (AUs), and ICAR Innovation Grants to AUs. It is envisaged that improved AU performance through quality enhancement, better employment and entrepreneurship opportunities created for agriculture graduates, non-accredited AUs attaining ICAR accreditation, and institutional reforms implemented in education division of ICAR and AUs under these components together shall contribute to the achievement of the overall program objective. To acquaint PG students with latest technologies in different spheres of secondary agriculture utilizing national and international expertise Strengthening of existing facilities and building competence of NAU faculties engaged in the processing and waste utilization of horticultural, forestry, and dairy-based produce. Capacity building in PG students and faculties of other SAU's. Development of technology for processing and waste utilization in agriculture and allied fields and its commercialization to private companies, budding entrepreneurs and agro-industries