The National Agriculture Higher Education Project (NAHEP), a collaboration between ICAR and the World Bank, has significantly improved graduate placement rates and enhanced practical training and industry connections in India. According to a recent report by the World Bank, the placement rates for agricultural degree courses in the country have increased from 41% to 67% between 2018 and 2023. This growth is supported by more than 800 formal agreements with companies for internships and placements.
The report also highlights that about 27% of agriculture graduates now earn at least 20% higher remuneration compared to their peers outside the sector. Additionally, university incubators have facilitated the establishment of over 120 start-ups, and private-sector placements at Assam Agricultural University have surged from 5% to 56%.
NAHEP has funded the development of 749 learning and innovation facilities, including simulation labs, smart classrooms, language labs, and e-content studios between 2018 and 2024. The report points out that while the demand for agricultural higher education has increased significantly in India, there were challenges such as theory-heavy curricula, limited practical training facilities, and uneven ties with agribusiness employers.
Applications for undergraduate agricultural admissions through the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) entrance examination have more than doubled from 236,931 to 527,114 between 2019 and 2023. The report also mentions that efforts to address barriers faced by women and students from disadvantaged backgrounds have been successful, with women achieving a 71% placement rate in the 2024-2025 period.
Targeted scholarships have enabled students from Scheduled Castes/Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Sections, and Persons with Disabilities to access higher-ranked institutions. NAHEP has impacted over 8 lakh students and faculty members between 2019 and 2024, with nearly half of them being women.
Looking ahead, the report outlines India’s focus on consolidating the reforms initiated during the NAHEP era while addressing gaps in digital agriculture, climate-smart technologies, and agribusiness management. The aim is to closely monitor labor-market outcomes and continue strengthening collaborations between universities and industries for better outcomes.
