About 80% of India’s rural economy depends on agriculture. While the irrigation facilities from canal systems are available for big land lords, the small and marginal farmers need to rely on and learn modern methods of agricultural development. This includes development of soil fertility, proper selection of the seed-taking method, and utilization of timely pest control. There are other recommended practices in dry land farming, such as intercrop, horti- agriculture, silvi pasture, and integrated farming. For a small land holder, it has been found that grafting of pedigree varieties of fruit bearing plants is more beneficial. As part of the training, different kinds of grafting are taught.
Dry land agriculture farming systems are taught at Carmel Campus. Different types of irrigation such as drip, pot, sprinkler, and flooding, and a variety of kitchen gardening and seed production methods are demonstrated. Training on manufacture of bio fertilizers, vermiculture, mushroom culture, tissue culture, and farmyard manure is imparted. We also teach about different varieties of fodder for the purpose of sheep rearing and dairy. In terms of water management, we teach land reclamation practices, with water ways, contour bunding, and water harvesting ponds. There is also a tissue culture laboratory for experimenting, and mass production of different plant species.