India is an agrarian country where over 50% of the population depends directly or indirectly on agriculture and allied sectors. However, with rising urbanization and limited job opportunities in cities, empowering youth in rural areas to become self-reliant and entrepreneurial is critical for balanced economic growth.
To address this, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) launched the Student Rural Entrepreneurship Awareness Development Yojana (READY) — a visionary initiative designed to develop practical skills and entrepreneurial mindset among agricultural graduates.
In this comprehensive article, we delve into the details of the READY programme: its objectives, structure, benefits, training modules, impact, and how it is shaping the next generation of agripreneurs.
Table of Contents
💡 What is Student READY?
Student READY (Rural Entrepreneurship Awareness Development Yojana) is a compulsory program introduced for all undergraduate students in agricultural universities and colleges affiliated with ICAR. It aims to impart experiential learning, promote hands-on skill development, and encourage entrepreneurship among agriculture students.
Launched in 2016, this program is a response to the growing need for job creators rather than job seekers, especially in the agriculture and rural sectors.
🎯 Objectives of Student READY
The core objectives of the Student READY programme are:
✅ Develop practical and entrepreneurial skills in agricultural graduates.
✅ Strengthen knowledge through experiential learning beyond classroom lectures.
✅ Create self-employment opportunities and promote agribusiness ventures.
✅ Build confidence to manage farms and agribusinesses independently.
✅ Encourage rural youth to take up agriculture as a viable career option.
👨🎓 Eligibility and Implementation
Who can participate?
All undergraduate students enrolled in agriculture and allied sciences (such as horticulture, forestry, fisheries, veterinary science, home science, etc.) are required to undergo READY training as part of their final year curriculum.
Duration
The READY program generally spans one full academic year (usually the final year of undergraduate study).
Where is it implemented?
READY is implemented across all ICAR-accredited agricultural universities and colleges in India, ensuring uniformity and widespread reach.
📚 Key Components of Student READY
The Student READY programme comprises five key experiential learning modules:
1️⃣ Experiential Learning (EL)
- Focuses on providing hands-on experience through practical work on university farms, labs, and agribusiness units.
- Develops skills in farm management, crop production, livestock management, food processing, etc.
- Students learn about cost management, marketing, and operational challenges.
2️⃣ Rural Agricultural Work Experience (RAWE)
- Designed to expose students to real-life rural agricultural scenarios.
- Students live and work in villages, closely interacting with farmers.
- They learn about socio-economic conditions, farming practices, and rural development programs.
- Encourages students to identify and suggest practical solutions to farmers’ problems.
3️⃣ In-Plant Training (IPT) / Industrial Attachment
- Students are attached to agro-industries, food processing units, seed companies, or cooperatives.
- They gain insight into commercial production systems and business operations.
- Builds professional skills and networks with industry stakeholders.
4️⃣ Hands-on Training (HOT)
- Short-term intensive practical courses focusing on specific skills, e.g., beekeeping, mushroom cultivation, seed production, organic farming, or farm machinery handling.
- Aims to build expertise in specialized areas.
5️⃣ Skill Development Training
- Conducted in collaboration with skill development councils and other government schemes.
- Prepares students for entrepreneurship through modules on business planning, startup financing, and marketing.
💰 Benefits of Student READY
The READY programme offers multifaceted benefits to students, the agricultural sector, and rural India:
🌿 For Students
- Builds confidence to start independent agribusiness ventures.
- Develops leadership, decision-making, and management skills.
- Provides real-world exposure beyond classroom theory.
🚜 For Agriculture Sector
- Creates a pool of skilled young professionals who can modernize farming.
- Promotes sustainable farming practices and technological adoption.
🏡 For Rural Communities
- Introduces scientific farming methods at grassroots level.
- Encourages rural youth to remain in villages and contribute to local economies.
- Reduces migration to urban areas.
📈 Impact of Student READY
Since its inception, the READY programme has had a significant impact:
- Over 10,000 students graduate annually after undergoing READY, contributing directly to agricultural development.
- Many alumni have started their own agri-startups, processing units, or consultancy services.
- Strengthened farmer-university linkages through RAWE modules.
- Increased adoption of improved farming techniques in participating villages.
💬 Success Stories
🌟 Story 1: Dr. Anita, Agripreneur from Maharashtra
After completing READY, Anita launched an organic vegetable supply chain startup, now catering to over 500 urban families and providing employment to local farmers.
🌟 Story 2: Rajeev, Dairy Entrepreneur from Haryana
Inspired during his IPT at a dairy cooperative, Rajeev established his own dairy farm and value-added milk product line, earning recognition from the state government.
🚀 Entrepreneurship Opportunities after READY
Students can venture into various agribusiness domains, including:
✅ Seed production and nursery management.
✅ Protected cultivation and hydroponics.
✅ Dairy and poultry farming.
✅ Agro-processing and value addition.
✅ Agritech startups (IoT solutions, farm apps, precision agriculture).
✅ Custom hiring centers for farm machinery.
✅ Organic input production (bio-fertilizers, vermicompost).
🌏 Alignment with National Goals
READY aligns with several national priorities:
- Doubling Farmers’ Income: Encouraging value addition and entrepreneurship.
- Atmanirbhar Bharat: Promoting self-reliance in rural youth.
- Startup India: Creating agricultural startups for rural transformation.
- Skill India: Enhancing employability through practical skills.
🧑🏫 Role of Agricultural Universities
Universities play a vital role in:
- Designing and delivering customized modules.
- Providing infrastructure for experiential learning (farms, labs, agribusiness incubation centers).
- Collaborating with industries and rural communities.
- Tracking and supporting alumni entrepreneurial ventures.
📊 Challenges and Recommendations
Challenges
⚠️ Limited funding and infrastructure in some colleges.
⚠️ Variability in quality of RAWE and industrial placements.
⚠️ Inadequate mentorship for entrepreneurial guidance.
Recommendations
✅ Strengthen industry linkages for better IPT opportunities.
✅ Upgrade infrastructure in all agricultural universities.
✅ Create seed funding mechanisms for student startups.
✅ Establish dedicated mentorship cells in universities.
✅ How to Get the Most from READY?
💪 Be Proactive
Take initiative during field visits and industrial attachments. Network, ask questions, and document experiences.
💡 Focus on Innovation
Identify gaps in local agriculture or allied sectors. Develop solutions or business ideas during your READY year.
📄 Build a Portfolio
Maintain detailed records of projects, skills learned, and community interactions — valuable for future jobs or funding applications.
📣 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Student READY Programme?
It is a mandatory final-year experiential learning program for undergraduate agriculture students, aimed at developing practical skills and entrepreneurship.
Who implements READY?
READY is implemented by all ICAR-accredited agricultural universities and colleges across India.
What are the components of READY?
The program consists of Experiential Learning, Rural Agricultural Work Experience (RAWE), In-Plant Training, Hands-on Training, and Skill Development modules.
Is READY only for agriculture students?
No, it also applies to students in allied sciences like horticulture, veterinary, fisheries, forestry, and home science.
What is the duration of READY?
READY typically runs throughout the final year (8th semester) of undergraduate studies.
What career options are available after READY?
Students can become agripreneurs, work in agribusiness industries, join research or extension services, or pursue higher studies.
How does READY help rural communities?
It brings scientific agricultural practices directly to villages and empowers rural youth to start local agri-enterprises.
🔗 Useful Links
👉 ICAR Official Website
👉 Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
👉 Student READY Programme Guidelines (PDF)
🌟 Conclusion: Cultivating Tomorrow’s Agricultural Leaders
The Student READY Programme stands as a transformative initiative to shape the future of Indian agriculture. By combining practical exposure, skill development, and entrepreneurial training, READY empowers young graduates to become leaders and innovators in rural India.
As India strides toward an era of smart, sustainable, and self-reliant agriculture, programs like READY will remain pivotal in driving inclusive rural development and youth empowerment.
