Rama Krishna Sangem
Telangana Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan has asked Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticulture University (SKLTSHU) to take up more research to meet the changing times. She was delivering the varsity’s 2nd convocation on its main campus at Mulugu in Siddipet district on December 23, Friday. The Governor is also the chancellor of the univeristy.
“Flowers, fruits and vegetables are part and parcel of our daily life and we need to find ways to increase their productivity and quality. Likewise, we should also promote medicinal plants too to meet the changing needs of the society. I am happy that more and more students are choosing horticulture as their educational and career choice and serve the country,” said Dr Tamilisai.
Recalling the role of health foods during and aftermath of Covid pandemic, the Governor said that fruits and vegetables had provided health and hygiene. Fruits and vegetables offer us balanced diet and save us. She urged horticulture students to focus on creating beautiful landscapes and gardens for clean environment. “I am happy to note that Telangana is producing and marketing more horticulture products,” said she.
Automate Horticulture
Dr Anand Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General of ICAR (Indian Council for Agricultural Research)’s Horticulture wing who was the chief guest at the convocation told the varsity to find ways to increase machination and automation in horticulture sector. “We should enhance the role technology in horticulture in view of climate change and environmental needs,” said Dr Sinha.
“We need to aim to promote horticulture crops which have good market and use modern technologies in pre and post harvest stages to minimize losses. Usage of automation like drones and AI (artificial intelligence), genome editing and biotechnology will increase both productivity and quality of produce,” said Dr Sinha. He stressed on getting more returns from limited resources in horticulture sector.
Dr Neeraja Prabhakar, Vice-Chancellor of the university who presented a report on its growth activities said that within no time of starting eight years ago, SKLTSHU has made rapid strides on all fronts. Educational research and extension activities have gone full swing over the years. Dr Neeraja thanked Chief Minister KCR for appointing her, the first woman VC for an agriculture or horticulture university in the country.
11 Gold medals awarded
On this occasion, as many as 11 gold medals were presented to the students. Pallerla Sai Supriya has got 3 gold medals from the Governor. Her 3 medals are for securing highest OGPA (Overall Grade points average) in PG, for being the topper in women category and being topper in vegetable sciences. Eddula Gayatri, Snehapriya and Sandhya Rani too received gold medals through the hands of the Governor.
Besides , 575 students received degrees – 482 undergrad and 76 post grad – and 17 PhDs were given to the students in different branches of horticulture.
