The School of Continuing Education and University Resource Centre (SCE-URC) is responsible for in-service programmes in the domains of education, development and professional skills.

The SCE-URC works at the intersection of knowledge, practice, and capacity-building to strengthen sustainable rural livelihoods. Horticulture — fruits, vegetables, and diversified farming systems — is a key pathway for improving farmer incomes, nutrition, and ecological resilience.

Responsibilities

• Lead applied research on sustainable and climate-resilient horticulture systems
• Design and support field-based horticulture demos (orchards, vegetable clusters, nurseries, nutrition gardens, agroforestry) in University campus/​ NGO field
• Ideate and design the courses to build ecosystem capacities in the horticulture sector
• Develop training materials and conduct capacity-building for extension workers and grassroots practitioners
• Contribute to university-level teaching, curriculum development, and mentoring
• Contribute to course coordination and the overall course delivery in decentralized locations
• Explore with farmers, FPOs, and CSOs to promote practical, locally relevant solutions
• Document field learning through case studies, practice notes, and knowledge products
• Network with other knowledge institutions and horticulture scientists in the country

Horticulture Farm Design and demonstrations 

• Design and support implementation of field-based horticulture initiatives (orchards, vegetable clusters, nutrition gardens, agroforestry models, etc.) in University farms or partner NGO field.
• Work with other eminent horticulture scientists and develop low-cost, resource-efficient horticulture models suitable for rainfed and smallholder contexts.
• Support demonstration plots, nurseries, and community-based horticulture enterprises.
• Provide technical guidance on crop selection, seasonality, pest and disease management, and post-harvest handling.

 Teaching and Curriculum Development

• Contribute to the design and delivery of university-level courses and modules on horticulture, sustainable agriculture, and livelihoods.
• Develop field-based learning modules, case studies, and practical training materials.
• Mentor students, fellows, and take elective courses in degree programs if required. 
• Contribute to course coordination and the overall course delivery in the field.

Capacity Building and Outreach

• Conduct training programmes for extension workers, CSO staff, farmer leaders, and community resource persons.
• Develop easy-to-use technical manuals and training resources on horticulture practices.
• Build partnerships with universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), horticulture departments, and practitioner networks.
• Contribute to dialogues and knowledge platforms on sustainable horticulture and smallholder livelihoods.