Marathwada varsity plans to lease out land

The divisional commissioner of Aurangabad and vice-chancellor of Marathwada Agricultural University (MAU) have decided to outsource 10,000 acre of university land to get better returns.

"One of the problem faced by university officers is raising the income of the university for self-sufficiency in terms of equipment, machinery and manpower. We feel that this problem can be resolved by outsourcing various activities," said Bhoge, divisional commissioner.

The MAU has been under severe criticism as it earned a gross revenue of Rs 1.5 crore from the cultivation of the land. This means it earns Rs 1,500 per acre. Whereas even an average farmer gets more than Rs 5,000 an acre from rainfed agriculture.

The present productivity level of university farm is 30 per cent of its expected productivity. In fact, the university, which has the latest technology and innovations, is expected to produce more. It is expected that the MAU should atleast earn Rs 10,000 per acre.

A perspective plan for the year 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08 has been prepared to increase irrigation potential through various water conservation and water saving measures, increasing area under double cropping, bringing fallow area under cultivation, seed production, commercial cultivation, tissue culture, floriculture, vegetables, fruits and other crops. The move is expected to raise Rs 37 crore and yearly receipt of Rs 12.19 crore.

Established in 1969, Marathwada Agriculture University serves eight districts characterised largely by deep fertile black soil. Sixty per cent of the crop area is under cereal cultivation, followed by 15 per cent under pulses.