The Department of Agricultural Economics in the University has a legend due to committed students,
teachers, researchers and institution builders who took the Department to great heights during
different periods of its growth. It is in order to cast the history of its development
to appreciate the efforts of all those who toiled to bring the Department’s name
to its present position in the Agricultural Economics map of India. In the process,
the contributions of institution builders who carved and contributed for the growth
of the Department have been highlighted. The lapses in acknowledgement if any are inadvertent.
Milestones:
The Department of Agricultural Economics in the UAS, Bangalore was born in year 1964
with the late Professor Balachowdaiah’s leadership. The subject matter of
Agricultural Economics received a firm foundation due to the contributions of
Professors Erwin J. Long and Professor Badenhop who visited the Department
during 1958-1962 on an International Exchange program as visiting Professors from USA.
In appreciation of the teaching skills Sri. R. Ramanna and Sri. Balachowdaiah lecturers
in Agricultural Economics were recommended by Professor Erwin Long for a fellowship
to pursue Masters in Agricultural Economics at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville,
with sponsorship from the Agricultural Development Council. This was the first milestone,
which gave fillip to the departmental academic progress. Upon completion of the masters
program at Tennessee, and the doctoral program at IARI, New Delhi, the Department began
operating the masters degree program from 1968 and the doctoral program from 1976.
Professor R Ramanna led the Department for more than two decades and won national and
international acclaim through his commitment as the best teacher and institution builder.
Professor Ramanna retired as the Dean of the University and also as its Vice Chancellor I/c.
Professor Ramanna was deputed as the nominee of the Government of India to participate in the
13th International Conference of Agricultural Economics at Minsk, Russia during 1970-71.
Contact:
Professor & Head, Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture, UAS, GKVK, Bangalore – 560 065
