For excellent academic performance, the Kerala Agricultural University has been chosen as the Best Agricultural University by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The award instituted by the ICAR for the purpose was received by Dr. K.V.Peter, Vice Chancellor and Deans of various faculties from Sri. Sharad Pawar, Minister for Agriculture, Government of India. The award consists of a medal, certificate and a cash component of Rs.5 lakhs. Kerala Agricultural University has been adjudged as the best among 40 State Agricultural Universities in the country based on the performance of the students in the ICAR-JRF examinations.

The award was distributed in the inaugural function of the annual meeting of the Vice Chancellors of all the State Agricultural Universities which was held at the Haffkine Institute, Parel, Mumbai. Other than Sri. Sharad Pawar, the meeting was attended by Sri. Anees Majeed Ahmed, Minister for Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Government of Maharashtra, Sri. Dilip Walse Patil, Minister for Energy and Medical Education and Dr. Mangal Rai, Director General, ICAR. Dr. C. Sundaresan Nair, Dr. E.Nanu, Dr. D.D.Namboodiri and Dr. C.P.Muhammed, Deans of the four KAU Faculties and Dr. M.Achuthan Nair, Director, Academic & PG Studies were also present to receive the award.

This is the third consecutive year that Kerala Agricultural University receives this prestigious award from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. This year, the students of the Kerala Agricultural University bagged 40 out of 475 fellowships given by the ICAR.