Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU) is a state public university located in Junagadh, in the Gujarat state of India. The university is dedicated to teaching, research, and extension education in the fields of agriculture, horticulture, veterinary sciences, fisheries, agricultural engineering, and allied disciplines, with a particular focus on the agro-climatic conditions of the Saurashtra region.
| Name | Junagadh Agricultural University |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | JAU |
| Type | State public university |
| Location | Junagadh, Gujarat, India |
| Field | Agriculture and allied sciences |
| Jurisdiction | Saurashtra region of Gujarat |
Agricultural education in Junagadh has a long lineage, with institutional roots that predate the formation of the present university. The campus traces its origins to agricultural research and teaching activities established in the Saurashtra area, which were later consolidated under the Gujarat Agricultural University. As part of a state-level reorganisation of agricultural higher education in Gujarat, four separate agricultural universities were carved out, with Junagadh Agricultural University taking responsibility for the Saurashtra zone.
The university operates through constituent colleges and research stations spread across the Saurashtra region. Core academic units typically include:
JAU offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes, and conducts examinations and research aligned with norms of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Research at JAU concentrates on crops and farming systems suited to the semi-arid Saurashtra belt, including groundnut, cotton, pulses, oilseeds, and horticultural crops such as mango. The Main Research Station and several sub-stations across districts of the region undertake varietal development, agronomic trials, and dryland farming research.
Extension activities are delivered through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) attached to the university, which provide training, demonstrations, and advisory services to farmers, extension workers, and rural youth.
As one of the four state agricultural universities in Gujarat, JAU plays a central role in supporting the agrarian economy of Saurashtra, a region characterised by erratic rainfall, drought-prone conditions, and a strong reliance on rainfed agriculture and livestock. Its varietal releases, soil and water conservation work, and farmer training programmes contribute to productivity and resilience in the region.