Dr. YSR Horticultural University

About Dr. YSR Horticultural University

Andhra Pradesh Horticultural University (APHU) is an Agricultural University. It 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. The institute started functioning from 26th June 2007, onwards. There was a need for rationalization of research and education, for commercialization and globalization of Horticulture in Andhra Pradesh and building a strong correlation and co-ordination between education, research and extension. As an effect, Chief Minister Late Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy established the Andhra Pradesh Horticultural University by carving it out from the Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University through G.O.Ms.No.134, dated 26.06.2007. The UG and PG educational programmes being offered at Rajendranagar, Hyderabad under Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University were also brought into the fold of Andhra Pradesh Horticultural University from 2007-08 academic year onwards. Keeping in view the potential background of varieties of horticultural crops, Government after careful consideration decide to establish State Horticulture University at Venkataramannagudem, near Tadepa Higudem in West Godavari District. The University started functioning independently from 10.05.2008 onwards as its headquarters at Venkataramannagudem APHU runs on the Land Grant pattern followed in the USA, with emphasis on Education, Research and Extension of Horticulture. This university offers B.Sc. (Hons.) Horticulture, M.Sc. (Horticulture), Ph.D (Horticulture) and two year Diploma in Horticulture. The university at present has 4 Horticulture Colleges, 5 Polytechnics and 28 Research Stations located in 9 agro-climatic zones of the state.

Constituent Institutes

• College of Horticulture, Anantharajupet, Kadapa District.
• College of Horticulture, Mojerla, Mahaboobnagar District.
• College of Horticulture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad Distrcit.
• College of Horticulture, Venkataramannagudem, West Godavari District.

Horticultural Polytechnics - To provide self employment to rural youth and to make use of the services of rural youth in rural development, the University has established 5 Horticultural Polytechnics in rural areas. These offer 2 year Diploma in Horticulture.

• Horticultural Polytechnic – Adilabad.
• Horticultural Polytechnic – Madakasira (Ananthapuram District).
• Horticultural Polytechnic – Kalikiri (Chittoor District).
• Horticultural Polytechnic – Ramagirikhilla (Karimnagar District).
• Horticultural Polytechnic – Ramachandrapuram (East Godavari District).

Location - The A.P. Horticultural University Campus is situated at Venkataramannagudem, West Godavari district at an altitude of 34M MSL and 160 63’120" N Longitude and 81o 27’568" E Longitude and located at about 12KM from Tadepalligudem on the Tadepalligudem- Nallajerla Road in an area of 216 ac.

Departments

• Fruit Science.
• Vegetable Science.
• Floriculture and Landscaping.
• Spices and Plantation Crops.
• Post-harvest Technology.
• Entomology.
• Plant Pathology.
• Genetics and Plant Breeding.
• Agronomy and Soil Science.
• Physiology, Bio Plant Chemistry and Microbiology.
• Extension, Economics and Social Sciences.
• Engineering and Environmental Sciences.

Facilities

Hands on Training and RHWEP – Training in commercialiseable 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. Apart from the course work, students undergo Rural Horticultural Work Experience Programme (RHWEP) and ‘Hands on Training / Experimental learning of 14 weeks each on specialized subjects.

These subjects are:

1. Protected cultivation of high value crops.
2. Post-harvest technology and value addition.
3. Nursery production and management.
4. Floriculture and landscape gardening.
5. Commercialization of horticulture.

In RHWEP the final year students are deputed to stay in villages along with farmers for full one year. Here, they interact with farmers of the village, work with them, understand their problem, apply the latest knowledge, acquire necessary skills and gain self confidence. These rural based training programmes i.e., RHWEP, Hands on Training/ Experimental Learning are useful to develop the manpower requirement with a different technical expertise in view of the globalization of Horticultural trade and for imparting quality education and training in horticulture to the students to develop into well trained personnel, a part of rural development programme.

Distance Education - The University offers telecast of Distance Education Programme in horticulture. It  is a pioneering efforts of its kind in the country to be undertaken by horticultural University. More than 150 programmes have already been televised. A large number of scientists and teachers of the University are involved in developing appropriate and relevant modules in areas such as crop husbandry, INM, IPM, , quality seeds production, vermicompost, bio-materials production, value addition, post-harvest technologies etc. for telecast.

Research – Ongoing research programmes at 28 Research Stations have been reoriented into 8 thrust areas identified based on the present day need. Funds for research are provided by the State Government and also the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The ICAR provides 75 % of funds for conducting research under various All India Coordinated Research Projects of ICAR.

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.
• Adarsha Rythu Training Programmes.

Some of the Research Stations:

• Horticultural Research Station, Mallepally, Nalgonda District.
• Citrus Research Station, Petlur, Nellore  District.
• Citrus Research Station, Tirupati, Chittoor District.
• Floriculture Research  Station, Rajendranagar, Ranga  Reddy District.
• Grape  Research  Station, Rajendranagar, Ranga Reddy District.
• Herbal Garden Scheme, Rajendranagar, Ranga Reddy District.
• Horticultural Research Station, Adilabad, Adilabad District.

Extension Services - The extension services of the University are mainly focused on first-line extension activities like testing and verification of new technologies on the farmers fields-through University’s on-farm and adaptive trials, processing and publication of technical information, dissemination of scientific information.

Means of study:

• Publications.
• Mass media such as press, radio and T.V. channels.
• Kisan Melas.
• Exhibitions.
• Training of extension personnel of the State Developmental Departments.

Achievements

• Technology developed for bioconversion of tender coconut waste and coconut coir pith into high quality organic manure.
• Sweet orange accessions RGPL Brazil and RGPL Texas are tolerant to dry root rot and can be profitably used as root stocks.