Demand for an exclusive University for Agricultural Sciences for Kalyana-Karnataka region was felt almost a decade back (Annexure I) owing to inimitable climatic conditions and farming activities. The Kalyana-Karnataka region comprising Bidar, Kalaburgi, Raichur, Ballari, Koppal and Yadgir districts (Map), an agrarian area with an irrigation potentiality of 12 lakh hectares through Tungabhadra, Krishna, Karanja, Mullamari, Hirehalla, Bennethore and other irrigation projects, spanning a total geographical area of 44.96 lakh hectares accounting 33.60 per cent of the geographical area of the state, of which nearly 68 per cent is under cultivation and has a unique combination of medium (32.42%) and large farmers (36.69%) bestowed with rich natural resources especially for agricultural development. The initiation for new Agricultural University at Raichur began through a letter by Government of Karnataka (No. AHD:165:UAS:99 dated:17-12-1999) directing University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad to submit a feasibility report on the proposal. An expert committee was constituted (No.AO/Est-V/LC/4778-B/99-00; dated: 5-1-2000) which not only realized the need for new Agricultural University but also recommended the proposal.