By Avijit Biswas
Bhagalpur, September 5, 2026: Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Sabour, has achieved a significant milestone in agricultural education with its innovative academic course, “Extension Plant Pathology”, receiving copyright registration from the Registrar of Copyrights, Government of India. The copyright, granted under the Copyright Act, 1957, was issued in July 2026, recognising the originality and intellectual contribution of the course.
The course was developed by Dr Abhijeet Ghatak, Dr Aditya Sinha and Dr Shraddha Bhaskar Sawant, who designed a unique curriculum integrating plant pathology with agricultural extension. The copyright certificate also acknowledges Vice-Chancellor Dr DR Singh, Director of Research Dr Anil Kumar Singh and Registrar Dr Md Mizanul Haque as authors associated with the work, while Bihar Agricultural University has been listed among the copyright holders.
Introduced following approval by the University’s 32nd Academic Council in 2023, the course has completed three successful academic sessions and received an encouraging response from students for its practical and field-oriented approach. Unlike conventional plant pathology courses, which largely focus on disease diagnosis and management, the programme equips students with skills in farmer communication, extension strategies, disease surveillance, participatory learning and the dissemination of plant health advisories.
BAU officials said the programme is currently the only dedicated “Extension Plant Pathology” course offered by a university in India. While universities in countries such as the United States incorporate selected extension-related components into broader plant pathology programmes, BAU’s course is a comprehensive standalone programme aimed at bridging the gap between laboratory research and farmers’ fields.
Congratulating the faculty members, Vice-Chancellor Dr DR Singh said the copyright reflected BAU’s commitment to innovation in agricultural education.
“Agricultural education must move beyond classroom teaching and prepare students to address real-life farming challenges through effective technology transfer and farmer engagement. This course is an important step in that direction,” he said.
He praised Dr Abhijeet Ghatak, Dr Aditya Sinha and Dr Shraddha Bhaskar Sawant for developing a curriculum that combines scientific knowledge with practical extension skills. He added that such interdisciplinary initiatives strengthen the University’s academic reputation while preparing graduates to serve as effective links between researchers and farming communities.
University officials described the copyright registration as a landmark achievement that not only protects intellectual property but also highlights BAU’s emphasis on developing innovative and need-based academic programmes. They expressed confidence that the recognition would encourage the introduction of more interdisciplinary courses and further strengthen the University’s contribution to agricultural education, research and extension.
About the Author
Avijit Biswas is a former reporter with the Hindustan Times, Patna Edition, based in Bhagalpur. He has more than 25 years of experience covering politics and other key beats across eastern Bihar. Known for his in-depth ground reporting and strong grasp of regional issues, Biswas has closely followed political developments and social trends in the region, earning credibility for accurate and balanced journalism. Avijt may be contacted at biswasavijit@yahoo.com
About the Author
