Farm Operations

Crop Cafeteria: A Practical Learning Component of Farm Operations at SBVR Agricultural College:

As part of the farm operations at SBVR Agricultural College, a Crop Cafeteria has been established for both Kharif and Rabi seasons. This cafeteria serves as a live field laboratory to provide students with real-time exposure to various agricultural crops and their complete growth stages—from germination to harvesting.

The Crop Cafeteriais integrated into the academic curriculum under the courses Crop Production – Iand Crop Production – II, and is maintained semester-wise. It includes dedicated student plots, where individual or group-based learning takes place, allowing students to plan, raise, and manage crops on their own. This hands-on practice enhances their understanding and accountability in every stage of crop cultivation.

Learning Outcomes Through Student Plots and Cafeteria Activities:

•Identification of different crops and understanding their characteristics and growth stages
•Planning of crop layout and selection based on season and cropping systems
•Execution of land preparation, seed treatment, nursery management, and sowing
•Management of nutrient supply, irrigation schedules, and weed control
•Monitoring and control of insect pests and diseases using suitable methods
•Harvesting, threshing, and yield estimation
•Familiarization with post-harvest handling, storage, and marketing aspects
•Exposure to mono-cropping, intercropping, and mixed cropping systems

By managing their own plots, students gain confidence, practical skillsets, and decision-making abilities that prepare them for real-world farming, research, and entrepreneurship.

* Crops Grown (Semester-wise under Crop Production I & II):

1. Cereals           : Rice, Wheat, Barley, Maize, Sorghum, Pearl Millet, Finger Millet, ProsoMillet, Little Millet, KodoMillet, Foxtail Millet, Barnyard Millet

2. Pulses            : Pigeon Pea, Green Gram, Black Gram, Bengal Gram, Lentil, Peas, Horsegram, Cowpea

3. Oilseeds        :  Groundnut, Sesame, Soybean, Rapeseed, Mustard, Sunflower, Castor, Linseed, Niger

4. FibreCrops    :  Cotton, Mesta

5. Sugar Crops  :  Sugarcane

6. Forage Crops: Sorghum, Lucerne, Napier Grass

This integrated, plot-based learning model at SBVR Agricultural College bridges the gap between classroom theory and practical field knowledge, making it an essential part of agricultural education and student skill development.