Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Maharashtra, India

Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri – Pioneer Agricultural University Serving Western Maharashtra & Beyond

Introduction

Established in 1968, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (MPKV) at Rahuri is a leading state agricultural university in Maharashtra. With jurisdiction spanning ten western districts, MPKV combines advanced agricultural education, impactful research, farmer‑oriented extension, and regional development. Since its inception, MPKV has upheld a mission: “We vow to produce abundant food”—making it a cornerstone of agri‑innovation and rural uplift in the region.(Wikipedia)

1. 🏛️ Establishment & Historical Evolution

• The Maharashtra Agricultural University Act of 1967 initiated state-level agricultural education; MPKV was formally established on 29 March 1968 and started operations by October 1969, originally headquartered in Mumbai before moving to Rahuri.(MPKV CAAST, Wikipedia)
• Named after social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, MPKV serves ten districts, including Ahmednagar, Pune, Nasik, and Satara, covering nearly 11.7 million hectares.(MPKV CAAST)

2. Affiliations & Accreditation

• MPKV is a recognized member of UGC, NAAC, AIU, and ICAR, reflecting its status among India’s premier agricultural universities.(Wikipedia)
• Honours include the ICAR Sardar Patel Outstanding Institute Award (2002) and designation as an “Institute of Excellence” with ₹100 crore central funding in 2007–08.(MPKV CAAST)

3. Academic Structure & Courses Offered

3.1 Constituent Colleges

MPKV comprises a network of constituent colleges:

• College of Agriculture (Pune, Dhule, Kolhapur, Karad, Nandurbar, Muktainagar, Rahuri)
• Dr. A. S. College of Agricultural Engineering & Technology, Rahuri, offering B.Tech and M.Tech in Agriculture Engineering disciplines.(acpune.co.in, Wikipedia)

3.2 Programmes Offered

• UG: B.Sc. (Hons) in Agriculture, B.Tech in Agricultural Engineering, B.Sc. in Food Tech, Horticulture, etc.(Collegedunia, Wikipedia)
• PG: M.Sc. (Agril. Biotechnology, Horticulture), M.Tech in Irrigation & Drainage, Process Engineering, etc., and MBA in Agri‑Business Management.(Collegedunia, Wikipedia)
• Doctoral: Ph.D. in agriculture, agri‑engineering and allied sciences at Rahuri campus.(Wikipedia)

Admission Criteria
Selection typically requires performance in JEE Mains, MHT-CET, ICAR AIEEA, or MCAER CET depending on the programme.(Careers360)

4. Campus Facilities & Infrastructure

• The Rahuri campus is rural, spacious, and agriculturally active, with demonstration fields, labs, seminar halls, hostels, and sports facilities.(Wikipedia, MPKV CAAST)
• Library: Houses over 7,500 books, 27,660 journal volumes, and e-resources.(Collegedunia)
• Supports hostel accommodations, sports courts (cricket, volleyball, tennis), computer labs, agriculture tech center, and on‑campus printing press.(Collegedunia)

5. 🧬 Academic Excellence & Research Activities

5.1 Research Output & Rankings

• According to EduRank 2025, MPKV has published around 1,886 papers, with over 7,200 citations, ranking #367 in India and offering high visibility in key disciplines like Biology and Environmental Sciences.(Educatly)
• MPKV places within the top percentile for research and innovation in global SCImago Impact Rankings.(Wikipedia, MPKV CAAST)

5.2 Innovation and Farmer Outreach

• Operates Krishi Vigyan Kendras, extension centres, farmer‑scientist forums, and seed/bio‑input production units.(Educatly)
• Led by agrarian luminaries like Dr. Neelamraju Ganga Prasada Rao, a renowned geneticist and university vice‑chancellor awarded the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize.(Wikipedia, Educatly)

6. 🎓 Career Development & Placement Cell

• MPKV offers placement support focused on agriculture and allied sectors; reported placement rates range 40–80% annually.(Select Your University)
• Average package: ~₹3.5–4 LPA, with top offers reaching ₹7–10 LPA. Recruiters include ITC, Bayer, Mahindra, Syngenta, Amul, BASF.(Shiksha)
• Career cell assists students with workshops, CV writing, internships, and soft‑skills training.(Collegedunia, Select Your University)

7. Notable Alumni & Academic Network

• MPKV alumni include numerous IAS officers such as Dadasaheb Zagade, Prabhakar Deshmukh, Chandrakant Dalvi, and other senior state/cadre service professionals.(Wikipedia)
• Many scholars from MPKV contribute to national agricultural research, extension, and innovation across regions.

8. Reputation, Awards & Recognition

• MPKV ranked 36th overall in the NIRF 2023 for agricultural universities.(Careers360)
• Recipient of the ICAR Sardar Patel Award (2002) and designated an Institute of Excellence in 2007–08.(MPKV CAAST)
• Member of the Indian Agricultural Universities Association, enhancing its profile among state agricultural institutions nationwide.(Wikipedia)

9. Address & Contact Details

Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (MPKV)
Rahuri, District: Ahmednagar, Maharashtra 413722, India.(MPKV CAAST)
Vice‑Chancellor: Dr. Prashantkumar Patil (current)(Wikipedia)
Affiliated to: UGC, ICAR, AIU, NAAC(Wikipedia)
Website: mpkv.ac.in(MPKV Rahuri, Wikipedia)

10. ✅ Strengths & Areas for Growth

✅ Strengths

• Largest agricultural university in Western Maharashtra with 10‑district jurisdiction, serving over 110 million hectares.(MPKV CAAST)
• Comprehensive programme range—UG to Ph.D.—including agri‑engineering and Agri‑Business MBA.(Collegedunia)
• Strong research presence backed by awards, recognition, and farmer‑oriented extension activities.(MPKV CAAST, Wikipedia, Wikipedia)
• Placement track record and engagement with top agribusiness recruiters.(Shiksha, Select Your University, Zollege)

⚠️ Opportunities for Improvement

• Enhancement of central placement infrastructure and better placement data transparency across disciplines.
• More visible national and global ranking presence (e.g. QS, EduRank).
• Improved public documentation of alumni impact and academic success stories.
• Increased focus on interdepartmental research collaboration and incubation services.

11. 🌾 Conclusion

Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth stands as a key rural and agricultural university in India—effective in delivering agricultural education, research, farmer services, and placements. Its progressive mandate, regional outreach, and academic offerings position it for further leadership in India’s agri-education landscape. Continued strategic growth in placements, research visibility, and alumni engagement will further elevate its institutional stature.

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