The state government on Saturday announced the introduction of undergraduate and graduate programs on agriculture and horticulture in Tamil Media in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore.
The government has set aside ₹ 25 lakh for the first phase of the program.
This is the first time the University will offer undergraduate courses in Tamil.
An expert committee will be arranged for framing the syllabus for these programs, which can be offered from the next academic year, said N Kumar, Deputy Chancellor TNAU Coimbatore.
While the UG program is offered only in English, the University offers a diploma program on agriculture and horticulture in Tamil.
The Agricultural Institute, Vamban Near Pulah Pulajottai also offers a Diploma program in Tamil, Kumar said.
Students who come from Tamil Middle School will benefit the most of these programs, he said.
There are special preferences in the work of the state government for candidates who pursue their title in Tamil and similar preferences for candidates who pursue these programs will encourage more students to take these courses, Kumar added.
The government also announced the setting of the research center, named after the organic agriculture of the Crusaders and Nammazhvar scientists, on Saturday.
This center will conduct research on organic agriculture and will be made by expanding the Department of Sustainable Organic Agriculture in TNAU.
“The state-state government announces the allocation of crore ₹ 3 which will be used to increase the Department of Sustainable Organic Agriculture and the ongoing activities of the department will widen,” VC said.
Ending exclusive budget for encouraging initial agriculture, Kumar said the additional allocation of funds in the following years would help frame long-term sustainable agricultural policies.