Demand for an exclusive University for Agricultural Sciences for Hyderabad-Karnataka (H-K) region was felt almost a decade back (Annexure I) owing to inimitable climatic conditions and farming activities. The H-K region comprising Bidar, Kalaburgi, Raichur, Bellary, Koppal and Yadgir districts (Map), an agrarian area with an irrigation potentiality of 12 lakh hectares through Tungabhadra, Krishna, Karanja, Mullamari, Hirehalla, Bennethore and other irrigation projects, spanning a total geographical area of 44.96 lakh hectares accounting 33.60 per cent of the geographical area of the state, of which nearly 68 per cent is under cultivation and has a unique combination of medium (32.42%) and large farmers (36.69% bestowed with rich natural resources especially for agricultural development. The initiation for new Agricultural University at Raichur began through a letter by Government of Karnataka (No. AHD:165:UAS:99 dated 17-12-1999) directing University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad to submit a feasibility report on the proposal. An expert committee was constituted (No.AO/Est-V/LC/4778-B/99-00; dated 5-1-2000) which not only realized the need for new Agricultural University but also recommended the proposal. The cabinet approved the proposal for establishment of Agricultural University at Raichur, with an allocation of rupees five crore during 2008-09 academic year on 26-9-2008.