Bihar Agricultural College at Sabour in Bhagalpur began agricultural education in 1945. Later, it was discovered that the plateau region of South Bihar has a unique agricultural situation. This region needed a second college. Ranchi Agricultural, Veterinary, and Forestry Colleges were founded in 1955, 1961, and 1980, respectively. The first Bihar agricultural university, Rajendra Agricultural University, was founded in 1971 in Pusa. A second Bihar State Agricultural University was proposed for Chotanagpur and Santhal Parganas due to their unique agriculture. Smt. Indira Gandhi inaugurated Birsa Agricultural University on June 26, 1981. Its main goal is to develop area-specific agriculture, animal husbandry, and forestry technologies and manpower for Jharkhand's plateau region and tribal and other backward class people. Three faculties (Agriculture, Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, and Forestry) with eight colleges (Ranchi Agriculture College, Ranchi College of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Ranchi College of Forestry, Rabindra Nath Tagore Agriculture College Deoghar, College of Agriculture, Garhwa, Tilka Manjhi Agriculture College, Godda, College of Diary Technology, Hansdiha) carry out teaching, research, and extension. In 2018-19, Ranchi College of Agricultural Engineering and West Singhbhum College of Horticulture are opening. In addition, one College of Biotechnology, one Centre for Agri-business Management, six Directorates, three Zonal Research Stations and farms, one University farm, sixteen Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Computer Centre, Central Library, ATIC, and other infrastructure and service units. As a residential university, there are limited hostels for boys and girls and residential facilities for teachers/scientists and supporting staff.