Hyderabad: Dr. Danda Rajireddy, Vice-Chancellor of Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University, has announced plans to improve horticulture education in Telangana. These changes aim to enhance students’ skills and ensure better job opportunities for graduates in the field.
During a meeting with faculty and students on Saturday, Dr. Rajireddy emphasized the importance of skill development. He encouraged students to prioritize training and learning practical skills to become a strong workforce in the horticulture sector.
The university also plans to focus on industry-oriented horticultural crops. It will collaborate with various industries and other leading universities to provide more opportunities for students. Dr. Rajireddy also urged horticulturists to work hard to reduce the impact of climate change on crops. He stressed the importance of research students, calling them the backbone of the university.
To promote knowledge sharing, Dr. Rajireddy announced that conferences will be organized at different levels—mandal, district, and state. These events will bring together farmers and scientists to discuss important topics related to horticultural crops.
He highlighted the significant role of horticulture in Telangana’s economy. The sector currently contributes 25% to the state’s GDP, despite covering only 12.8 lakh acres. Dr. Rajireddy reiterated the university’s commitment to helping farmers solve field-level problems, despite the challenges involved.
The Vice-Chancellor advised researchers and scientists to focus on practical results that benefit farmers. He stressed that research should not be done just for publicity but should help farmers improve crop yields, quality, and reduce costs. He also announced plans to hold state-level conferences for each major horticultural crop grown in Telangana, along with preparing a calendar to guide farmers on the best practices for each crop.
Dr. Rajireddy also highlighted the importance of reaching out to women horticulture farmers. The university will organize special horticultural fairs specifically for them, recognizing their growing role in the sector.
To address the current vegetable shortage in Telangana, the university plans to develop specialized methods to meet the state’s vegetable needs. This will be done through research and collaboration with institutions across the country. The goal is to ensure that farmers can cultivate crops profitably while enhancing the university’s contribution to the state’s development.
The event was attended by several notable figures, including Registrar Bhagwan, Dean Dr. M. Rajasekhar, THUTA President Dr. J. Cheena Naik, General Secretary T. Suresh, Control of Examination Dr. Srinivasan, professors, THUTA members, Non-Teaching Association President Yadaiah, as well as students and other attendees.
