Girija Prasad Koirala College of Agriculture & Research Centre (GPCAR)

Girija Prasad Koirala College of Agriculture and Research Centre (GPCAR) is a constituent college of Purbanchal University located in Gothgaun, Morang, Nepal. Established in 1995 AD, the college focuses on undergraduate education, practical learning, and research related to agriculture, food, nutrition, and dietetics.

GPCAR offers two four-year bachelor’s programs: Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Agriculture and Bachelor of Science in Food, Nutrition and Dietetics. Its academic activities combine classroom instruction with laboratory work, field-based learning, project work, research, educational tours, internships, and other practical components. The college also provides scholarships under merit and reserved-category provisions.

Quick highlights

Institutional background

GPCAR was established in 1995 AD as the fifth constituent college of Purbanchal University. It introduced the four-year Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Agriculture program in response to the need for university-level agricultural education and technically trained human resources.

Purbanchal University came into existence under the Purbanchal University Act of 1994. Within the university structure, GPCAR serves as an academic and research unit concerned with agriculture and related disciplines.

The college’s work centres on teaching, practical training, and research. Its programs are intended to prepare graduates who understand agricultural production, food systems, nutrition, field practices, laboratory methods, and the social and economic settings connected with these areas.

Academic direction

GPCAR’s academic mission is centred on education in agriculture and animal science, with an emphasis on technical competence, practical ability, and responsible professional conduct.

Its main academic objective is to prepare practically oriented agriculture and animal science professionals through teaching, learning, laboratory work, field activities, and research. The college also aims to strengthen its role in agriculture and animal science education within Purbanchal University.

The learning approach combines theoretical study with practical application. Depending on the program and semester, students take part in laboratory sessions, fieldwork, project assignments, research activities, educational tours, internships, and thesis preparation.

Programs offered

Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Agriculture

The Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Agriculture is a four-year program organised across eight semesters. It covers crop science, soil science, horticulture, plant breeding, plant pathology, entomology, agricultural economics, animal science, rural sociology, extension education, biotechnology, and related areas.

Students begin project work from the third semester alongside laboratory practicals. The seventh semester includes an elective area selected from options such as sustainable agriculture, horticulture, plant breeding, plant protection, animal science, soil science, agricultural economics and business management, and development studies.

The final semester includes field-based internship and thesis research. Internship placements may involve agro-based industries, research farms, private farms, and non-governmental organisations working under different agricultural conditions. English is used as the medium of instruction and examination.

The program is structured to develop knowledge of agricultural production, indigenous farming practices, resource management, agricultural markets, communication, rural development, and production constraints. Practical courses and project activities support the application of classroom learning.

Bachelor of Science in Food, Nutrition and Dietetics

The Bachelor of Science in Food, Nutrition and Dietetics is a four-year, eight-semester undergraduate program. It brings together food science, human nutrition, dietetics, food processing, preservation, laboratory analysis, public health nutrition, and diet therapy.

The curriculum carries 167 credits. These include theoretical courses, practical training, seminars, field trips, a professional internship, and a thesis. Laboratory exposure begins in the earlier stages of the program, while research-related work is introduced from the sixth semester.

Subjects include applied chemistry, microbiology, human anatomy and physiology, food science, human nutrition, biochemistry, food analysis, post-harvest technology, public health nutrition, food toxicology, food processing and preservation, diet therapy, community nutrition, epidemiology, nutrition assessment, research methodology, and biostatistics.

The eighth semester is devoted to a field trip, seminar, internship, and thesis. This structure gives students experience in academic research, laboratory practices, nutrition assessment, food systems, and professional work settings.

Academic departments

The college has academic departments covering major areas of agricultural study:

• Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics

• Department of Horticulture

• Department of Plant Pathology

• Department of Soil Science

• Department of Plant Agricultural Economics

• Department of Entomology

These departments support teaching, practical sessions, field activities, project work, and research connected with the agriculture program.

Practical learning and research

Practical learning is a central part of the academic structure at GPCAR. The agriculture program includes laboratory practicals, agricultural project work, field-based internship, and thesis research. Students study crop production, plant protection, soil and nutrient management, animal production, agricultural economics, extension, and rural development through both classroom and applied activities.

Research farms provide a setting for field observation and agricultural practice. Laboratories support subject-based practical work, while educational tours expose students to organisations, farms, industries, and other settings related to their studies.

The Food, Nutrition and Dietetics program includes laboratory work in food science, chemistry, microbiology, nutrition, food analysis, quality control, and product development. Its later semesters include research methodology, biostatistics, professional internship, and thesis work.

Facilities and student services

GPCAR provides facilities and services connected with academic work and student life. These include:

• Laboratories

• Research farms

• Sports facilities

• Cafeteria

• Counselling

• Conference facilities

• Auditorium

• Educational tours

• Journals

• Placement-related support

The laboratories and research farms are particularly relevant to the college’s practice-based teaching approach. Educational tours, project work, internships, and field activities extend learning beyond regular classroom sessions.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for students through merit and reserved-category provisions.

Merit scholarships are allocated for students under the open category, while reserved-category scholarships follow the applicable norms of Purbanchal University. Financial support is also directed toward deserving students facing economic difficulty.

Scholarship availability and allocation are connected with university provisions and the applicable academic intake.

Location

The college is located in Gothgaun, Morang, Nepal. Its location supports agriculture-related practical work, field observation, research activities, and engagement with agricultural settings.

Contact details

Address: Gothgaun, Morang, Nepal

Phone: +977-9852023400, +977-9820725111, +977-21-425011, +977-9825385205

Email: pugpcar@gmail.com

Website: https://gpcar.edu.np