Dr.Y.S.R. Horticultural University

The University was established by the Government of Andhra Pradesh through G.O.Ms.No.134 dated 26-06-2007 at Venkataramannagudem, near Tadepalligudem in West Godavari District. It is the second Horticultural University in the country. Andhra Pradesh being the leader in the production of mango, oil palm, chillies, turmeric, sweet orange, papaya and second largest producer of total fruits and spices richly deserves Horticultural University to increase the productivity, sustaining the productivity and commercialization of Horticulture in the State.

The University runs on the Land Grant pattern followed in the USA, with emphasis on Education, Research and Extension of Horticulture. Therefore, the mandate of the University is :-

•  Human Resource Development through education
•  Conduct need based research
•  Dissemination of the proven technologies developed through research

Development of Horticulture for providing nutritional security to the people and increasing the profitability to the farmers through the development of appropriate technologies and manpower in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Objectives:

• Manpower development in relation to the present needs of the horticulture industry.
• Development of technologies for horticultural crops to ensure safety to the consumers, people involved in production and environment.
• Reducing the cost of production through increased efficiency of inputs to enhance the profitability to the growers.
• Minimization of post harvest losses.
• Value addition and export promotion.

Manpower and technology development through education and research has to be in accordance with the present day need; both qualitatively and quantitatively. Present day demand influenced by the development in the recent past such as nutritional security, food safety, environment safety, commercialization and globalization of horticulture and avoiding huge post-harvest losses have to be met through manpower and technology development. Accordingly, the course curriculum for graduate and post-graduate courses have been developed. The course contents and the courses have been formulated with slight modifications in the IV Deans Committee recommendations of ICAR within the permissible limits to suit the specific needs of Andhra Pradesh Horticulture. Hands on training in commercialisable technologies in Horticulture has been designed for two batches 14 weeks each, in the VII and VIII semesters of the B.Sc. (Hons.) in Horticulture.

Ongoing research programmes at all Research Stations have been reoriented into eight thrust areas identified based on the present day need. All India Coordinated Research projects are also operating at different research stations of the university. Funds for research are provided by the State Government and also by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The ICAR provides 75 per cent of funds for conducting research under various All India Coordinated Research Projects.

Krishi Vigyan Kendras functioning under this University are providing frontline Extension Services through technology assessment & refinement, frontline demonstrations, vocational trainings and other extension activities to cater to the growing needs of the farmers.

The University scientists are involved in popularizing the proven technologies and improved varieties developed through various extension activities, namely; All India Radio, print and visual media, participation in exhibitions, Krishi Melas, Rythu Chaitanya Yatra, Raithu Sadassulu and Rythu Training Programmes.

The Dr.Y.S.R.Horticultural University is committed to develop the need based manpower and technologies to resolve the problems confronting Horticulture and enable the horticultural farmers in Andhra Pradesh to make horticulture as the most remunerative enterprise. Consequently, the state of Andhra Pradesh shall be the leader in Horticulture by fulfilling the ambition of the Government of Andhra Pradesh in establishing this University. Dr.Y.S.R. Horticultural University presently is having 7 Horticultural Colleges, 9 Horticulture Polytechnics, 17 Research Stations and 4 Krishi Vigyan Kendras in Andhra Pradesh.