365Telugu.com online news, Rajendranagar, December 21st, 2024: Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University (PJTSAU) celebrated its two-day Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years of dedicated service to the farming community. The celebrations began with the inauguration by Telangana State Minister for Agriculture, Handloom, and Textiles, Tummala Nageswara Rao.
The keynote address on “Unlocking the Potential of Indian Agriculture for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth” was delivered by Professor Ramesh Chand, Member of NITI Aayog.
In his welcome address, Professor Aldas Janaiah, Vice Chancellor of PJTSAU, highlighted the university’s six-decade-long journey and its numerous initiatives aimed at engaging and benefiting the farming community.
Professor Ramesh Chand emphasized the significance of agriculture in the national economy and the untapped potential of horticulture. He expressed concern over the diminishing role of technology in agriculture and noted that nearly 47% of farmers do not diversify into horticulture or livestock farming.
Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao acknowledged the university’s growth and its vital contributions over the years. He urged the university to improve its ranking among India’s agricultural institutions and proposed the establishment of model agricultural farms at every college to benefit students and farmers alike.
He also stressed the need for curriculum changes to address climate change challenges and encouraged the use of AI to enhance the university’s vibrancy. The minister also inaugurated a video showcasing the university’s journey.
At the Kisan Mela held at the university’s sports complex, the minister highlighted Telangana’s prominent role in rice production and encouraged farmers to diversify into horticulture crops. He advised agricultural scientists to identify soil-specific crops and provide guidance to the Department of Agriculture.
He further emphasized the importance of collaboration between the university and the agriculture department to ensure profitable farming practices.
Telangana Governor and University Chancellor, Hon’ble Jishnu Dev Varma, presided over a special session at the university auditorium. During the event, he unveiled a miniature diamond jubilee pylon to commemorate the occasion and released various publications, including a souvenir.
In his address, the governor reminisced about the foundation stone laid by former President of India, S. Radhakrishnan, in 1965. He lauded the university’s contributions in crop science, animal husbandry, horticulture, and home science.
The governor acknowledged the Sona Masuri variety as a prime example of the university’s impact on sustaining farmers’ livelihoods. He emphasized the need for the university to adapt to the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution by integrating artificial intelligence and traditional wisdom to create a sustainable future.
He envisioned PJTSAU as a global leader in agricultural research and innovation by 2047, praising recent initiatives such as the Natural Farming Program and the Drone Academy.
The event witnessed the participation of several dignitaries, including former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Nadendla Bhasker Rao, former Agriculture Ministers DK Samarasimha Reddy and Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, Telangana Planning Board Vice Chairman Dr. G. Chinnareddy, and Telangana Agriculture and Farmers Commission Chairman M. Kodanda Reddy.
Former Vice Chancellors of PJTSAU—Dr. Suravaram Raghuvardhan Reddy, Dr. Padmaraju, Dr. Raghava Reddy, and Dr. Prabhakar Rao—along with Kondalaxman Telangana Horticulture University Vice Chancellor Dr. D. Rajireddy, Telangana State Seed Development Corporation Chairman Anvesh Reddy, and AGROS Chairman Bala Raju were also present.
Innovative farmers were honored for their practices during the Kisan Mela, making the celebrations a tribute to the university’s unwavering commitment to agricultural excellence.