Student life

Experiential learning is a component of the Student READY programme with a business curriculum-related endeavour. It aims to develop a cadre of skilled professionals who can create their own enterprises. The course design targets competence development through knowledge in all aspects of enterprise management, so that agriculture graduates have a complete understanding of field problems, project development and the execution of their enterprise.

Experiential Learning helps students develop competence and capability, build capacity, acquire skills and expertise, and gain the confidence to start their own enterprise — turning into “job creators instead of job seekers”. It is a focused part of the ANGRAU undergraduate curriculum, in parity with the ICAR-formulated syllabus, with the set objective of “Earn While You Learn”.

During 2019, two ELP units began operating — the EL Retro Unit and the Snow White Mushroom Unit. Keeping student strength and available facilities in view, three units have run from 2020 onwards, with a fourth added in 2024.

I. Nutri Plus ELP Unit

The Department of Agronomy established a Nutri Plus unit where students actively participate in the cultivation of various crops. After harvesting, students carry out value addition, learning post-harvest techniques such as processing, packaging and marketing. The module emphasises hands-on experience of seed production of field crops, and processing and value addition of the selected crop.

II. Organic ELP Unit

Started in May 2024 under the guidance of Associate Dean Dr G. Chandra Sekhar Rao, to promote organic and natural preparations for students. Natural and organic farming are sustainable agricultural practices focused on cultivating crops without synthetic chemicals, promoting ecological balance and enhancing soil fertility.

III. Snow White Mushroom Unit

Established in the first semester of 2019–20 with final-year students. A total of 230 kg of oyster mushrooms were produced and sold at ₹250 per kilogram. Returns were ₹57,500 with a profit of ₹7,187 and a benefit–cost ratio of 1.45.

• Hands-on training in spawn preparation, substrate sterilisation and harvesting.
• Oyster and milky mushrooms — economically viable varieties grown under controlled conditions.
• Skill development in mushroom production, post-harvest management and marketing strategy.
• Cultivation environment — maintaining suitable temperature, humidity and cleanliness for healthy growth.
• Income-oriented learning — cost-effective production aimed at generating income and encouraging rural self-employment.

IV. Retro ELP Unit

Experiential Learning first ran in 2024–25 for the 2022-admitted batch. Final-year students were divided into two batches; in the second batch, five students were allotted to the value addition unit in the Department of Horticulture. Twenty-five value-added products were produced at a cost of ₹11,610, generating a net profit of ₹10,435 — a benefit–cost ratio of 1.89.

The National Service Scheme is a central sector scheme of the Government of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. On 24 September 1969 the Union Education Minister Dr V. K. R. V. Rao launched the NSS programme in 37 universities. The cardinal principle of the programme is that it is organised by the students themselves; students and teachers, through combined participation in social service, gain a sense of involvement in the tasks of national development.

SBVR Agricultural College has two NSS units with 100 volunteers each, financially supported by Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa since the academic year 2021–22. Unit 1 is led by Programme Officer Mr D. Prasanna Kumar and Unit 2 by Dr Pandit Praveen Kumar. Activities are divided into regular activities and RAWEP special camp activities.

Objectives

1. Understand the community in which they work
2. Understand themselves in relation to their community
3. Identify the needs and problems of the community and involve them in problem-solving
4. Develop among themselves a sense of social and civic responsibility
5. Utilise their knowledge in finding practical solutions to individual and community problems
6. Develop competence required for group living and sharing of responsibilities
7. Gain skills in mobilising community participation
8. Acquire leadership qualities and democratic attitudes
9. Develop capacity to meet emergencies and natural disasters, and practise national integration and social harmony

The college has established a women protection cell for women faculty and girl students, to enhance understanding of issues related to women and to make the campus a safe place for them. With the aim of creating awareness of their rights and duties, the cell organises and participates in seminars and talks, and takes up women’s issues and problems.

It provides a platform for women to share their experiences and views regarding their status in society and to suggest ways to improve and empower themselves. Aiming at the intellectual and social upliftment of female students, the cell facilitates women’s empowerment through guest lectures, seminars, awareness programmes, life-skill programmes, entrepreneur training and other welfare activities.

Meetings are conducted to raise awareness among girl students about:

1. Safety and security
2. Prevention of harassment
3. Support services
4. Rights and empowerment

In view of the directions of the University Grants Commission notified on 4 July 2009 in the Gazette of India, and of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, to prohibit, prevent and eliminate the scourge of ragging, SBVR Agricultural College has developed an institutional policy to prevent ragging, with strict rules against any student found guilty. An anti-ragging committee has been formed at institutional level to avoid ragging and to take appropriate action in the event of any incident.

• Undertakings are collected from students and parents at the time of admission, offline or online.
• Awareness is created during the induction programme and continuously thereafter, covering the severity of punishments under IPC sections.
• The Physical Education Director and security head organise programmes encouraging team building and unity between seniors and juniors.
• Sports and cultural teams are formed to encourage bonding between different groups of students.
• Surprise raids are conducted in hostels and other vulnerable places.
• Authorities’ email IDs and contact details, with the anti-ragging policy, are displayed across key campus locations.
• CCTV cameras are installed and security personnel posted at sensitive areas of the campus.

The committee maintains the confidentiality of the whistleblower in the event of any ragging, and takes appropriate action as per the law of the land.