NAAC Supplementary Report 2010-13 - Shiats.edu.in
NAAC Supplementary Report 2010-13 - Shiats.edu.in
NAAC Supplementary Report 2010-13 - Shiats.edu.in
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<strong>NAAC</strong> Re-accreditation <strong>Supplementary</strong> <strong>Report</strong><br />
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY<br />
SAM HIGGINBOTTOM INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE, TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCES<br />
(Formerly Allahabad Agricultural Institute)<br />
(Deemed-to-be-University)<br />
Allahabad – 211 007 (India)<br />
1. The Foundation<br />
A century ago, a young American <strong>in</strong> his late 20s stood on the southern banks of the Yamuna at<br />
Allahabad, contemplat<strong>in</strong>g a patch of badly eroded soil, which had not been tilled for centuries.<br />
He looked at the neighbor<strong>in</strong>g farms' poor crops and starv<strong>in</strong>g livestock. As he surveyed the<br />
scene he was conv<strong>in</strong>ced that the only way India could progress was through modernization of<br />
agriculture. The visits to villages were revelations. The farmers used centuries-old implements<br />
and their yields, <strong>in</strong> spite of the naturally rich and fertile soil, were among the lowest <strong>in</strong> the world.<br />
The visits also def<strong>in</strong>ed his future to devote his life to teach<strong>in</strong>g the Indian farmer - progressive<br />
methods of agriculture.<br />
He was deeply concerned about the ancient system of agriculture which contributed to low<br />
productivity and thus led to extreme poverty amongst them. However, soon after his arrival <strong>in</strong><br />
1903, Higg<strong>in</strong>bottom discovered to his dismay that the economics that he had learned and now<br />
was to teach had no relevance that could relate to the Indian agrarian economy. For several<br />
months, he contemplated upon the neglect of the villages and ultimately decided to bridge this<br />
gulf by establish<strong>in</strong>g an agricultural school, which he envisioned would <strong>edu</strong>cate the village boys,<br />
<strong>in</strong>troduce improved agricultural methods and co-operate with the local farmers <strong>in</strong> solv<strong>in</strong>g their<br />
agriculture related problems. Tak<strong>in</strong>g leave, he returned to the United States and enrolled at the<br />
Ohio State College of Agriculture <strong>in</strong> Columbus, Ohio. Dur<strong>in</strong>g these years <strong>in</strong> United States, he<br />
assimilated as much knowledge of scientific agriculture and animal husbandry as he possibly<br />
could. But more than the degree that he earned, he needed f<strong>in</strong>ancial back<strong>in</strong>g for his mission.<br />
He met friends and strangers, lectured to various groups, mak<strong>in</strong>g impassioned pleas for<br />
donations. And he collected $30,000 and persuaded two American agricultural experts to jo<strong>in</strong><br />
him and returned to Allahabad.<br />
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