Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola was established on 20th October, 1969 with it’s headquarter at Akola. This Agricultural University was named after the illustrious son of Vidarbha Dr Panjabrao (alias Bhausaheb) Deshmukh, who was the Minister for Agriculture, Government of India. The jurisdiction of this university is spread over the 11 districts of Vidarbha. According to the University Act 1983 (of the Government of Maharashtra), the University is entrusted with the responsibility of agricultural education, research & extension education along with breeder & foundation seed programme. The University has its main campus at Akola. The instructional programmes at main campus are spread over in 5 Colleges namely, College of Agriculture, College of Agricultural Engineering & Technology, College of Forestry, College of Horticulture & Post Graduate Institute. At this campus 4 degree programmes namely B.Sc. (Agriculture) B.Sc. (Hort.), B.Sc. (Forestry) & B. Tech. (Agriculture Engineering), 2 Master’s Degree Programmes viz. M.Sc. (Agriculture) & M. Tech. (Agriculture Engineering) & Doctoral Degree Programmes in the faculties of Agriculture & Agril. Engineering are offered. The University has its sub - campus at Nagpur with constituent College, College of Agriculture which offers B.Sc. (Agriculture) & M. Sc. (Agriculture) degree programmes. The Nagpur Campus is accomplished with a garden, surrounded by its natural beauty & a well established Zoo which attract the general public & visitors to the city. A separate botanic Garden is being maintained on 22 hectares with a green house for the benefit of research workers. In addition there are 2 affiliated grants in aid colleges & 14 private non grants in aid colleges under the umbrella of this University. A Central Research Station is situated at the main Campus which caters to the need of research projects undertaken by Crop Scientists of the principle crops of the region are Cotton, Sorghum, Oilseeds & Pulses.