Located near the Genda circle, the Model Farm was one of the initiatives started by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. Started in 1892, it had agricultural education and farmer training as its focus. The farm also worked on experimenting and production of good seeds.
An Agricultural Institute was established at Baroda in 1936 called as Sheth Dosabhai Maganlal Agricultural Institute after donation of Sheth Dosabhai Maganlal & Shrimati Jashumati Sheth of Rs 50000 (as written on plaque of the building). This institution offered facilities of specialized training and higher agricultural education.
The farm was first established in connection with the agricultural classes in the college. These classes were later shifted here. In this context, Agricultural Diploma School was established. After the establishment of Gujarat Agricultural University in 1972, this center was handed over to the Gujarat Agricultural University as a substation of Anand.
There was also a Gir cattle dairy attached to the farm. This dairy used to supply the royals and the European residents and the cantonment with pure milk and butter. This dairy was later closed down owing to its commercial failure.
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Earlier this model farm was used to teach farming to the prisoners from the Central Jail. It was also used as a juvenile correction center. All these efforts were made to train the prisoners so that when they are released, they can earn their bread !
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