Education

Employment Particulars

ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE :

Experience in Teaching, Research and Extension and Management

Professional Achievements

Education :

• Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University was entrusted with the responsibility of revision of under graduate course curriculum in agriculture by the Deans’ Committee constituted by the ICAR of which the Dean of Agriculture was the convenor. The emphasis of revised curriculum has been placed on hands on training and more weightage to practical component. I am happy to inform that the committee has submitted its report to ICAR for implementation. This report has been discussed at All India Agricultural Universities Vice-Chancellors Conference held at Delhi recently.
• Instrumental for Introduction of P.G. degree programme in Food Science & Technology, Agriculture Business Management and Environmental Science & Technology during the year 2001-2003 and M.Tech. (Ag.Engg.) in Soil and Water Engineering, Agricultural Process and Food Engineering and Farm Machinery and Power during the year 2006-2007 and it is proposed to start two new Post Graduate programmes leading to the award of M.Sc. (Ag) in Water Management and in Microbiology during the Academic Year 2007-08.
• Instrumental for introduction of undergraduate degree programme in Commercial Agriculture Business Management and also in Food Science and Technology during the year 2003-2004.
• Architect in the establishment of first Agricultural Polytechnic in the state. This has now become a role model for establishment of one Polytechnic for every district in the field of Agriculture, Veterinary Science and Home Science. The University has so far established seven Polytechnics in Agriculture, five in Veterinary Science, two in Horticulture and one in Seed Technology with the ultimate aim of having one polytechnic in each district.
• Responsible for improvement in quality of teaching and education.
• Two of the constituent Agricultural Colleges at Rajendranagar and Bapatla have completed 60 years of service and have celebrated Diamond Jubilee during the year.

Research

• Established two new zonal research stations i.e. Godavari Zone with head quarters at A.P. Rice Research Institute, Maruteru and Central Telangana Zone with head quarters at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Warangal thus catering to the location specific research needs of farmers of these respective zones.
• Newly introduced the concept of clientele oriented research relevant to the current trends in agriculture at national and global level.
• Responsible for planning, co-ordinating, controlling, evaluating, managing, administering and documenting in research in the fields of Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry and Home Science conducted by more than 850 scientists working in 58 research stations spread over 7 Agro-climatic zones of Andhra Pradesh state with about 13 million hectares of net cultivated area.
• Introduced cropping and farming systems research.
• Brought the scientists nearer to the farmers through Farmer x Scientist interaction, diagnostic work.
• Conducted and / or organised Zonal Research and Extension Advisory Council (ZREAC) Meetings effectively and systematically.
• Responsible for establishment of Water Technology Center at Rajendranagar to provide necessary human resource development and research support there by ensuring the optimal utilization of available water. Our University has entered into Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Florida, USA and The University of Wageningen, the Netherlands in this regard.
• A WTO cell has been established at this University to maintain all the required information pertaining to WTO and act as a liaison between the line departments of Government and University in matters related to Agriculture and allied activities in Andhra Pradesh.
• Responsible for establishment of Biotechnology unit, Education Technology Cell, Quality control laboratory for food testing and also as training center for quality management at Rajendranagar.
• Mega Seed Project with an outlay of Rs. 6.07 crores was sanctioned by ICAR to improve the seed replacement rate of field and horticultural crops and for the implementation of Plant Variety Protection Act, an amount Rs. 93.25 lakhs has been granted for registration based on DUS (Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability) criteria and testing.
• Responsible for development of appropriate technology for hybrid Maize and sorghum during 1970's which has resulted in enormous increase in both the area and Productivity of these crops in A.P particularly in Telangana region.
• Brought about the awareness regarding irrigation water management as a nodal officer of AP III Irrigation Project and implemented on farm research on water management under Sri Ram Sagar project and Srisailam project. These efforts were highly appreciated by World Bank Team and the scheme was extended upto July 2004.

Some of the research accomplishments that had helped and continued to help improving agricultural production are as follows:

Water Management Scheme, ARS, Garikapadu

• To assess irrigation water requirements of various crops and cropping systems.
• To evaluate the design for different irrigation methods, and practices to reduce water losses and to increase irrigation and water use efficiency.
• To develop production functions of different crops for optimum utilization of irrigation.
• To study the relative performance of Surface, Spinkler and Drip Irrigation systems.
• Evaluation of critical physiological stages for different crops for irrigation, their effect in qualitative aspects and economic yields.
• Development of methods to check seepage, and percolation losses and nutrient losses due to existing system of continuous flow of water in rice fields.
• Studies of Soil Water relationships with reference to effect on moisture stress etc.

As a nodal officer, A.P.III Irrigation Project, implemented the project at ARS, Warangal, Karimnagar and RARS, Nandyal and in addition coordinated ‘Onfarm Research on Water Management’ under the selected distributaries under Sri ram Sagar Project in Srisailam Right Branch Canal covering over 250 ha. with emphasis on.

• Evaluation of potential crops/crop sequences with reference to water use.
• Introduction of new high value/potential crops to fit into the system.
• Exploring the possibility of conjunctive use of water and in improving WUE and increasing cropping intensity.
• Optimal crop planning under limited water availability to maximize production.

The efforts made under A.P. III Project were highly appreciated by the World Bank Team and the scheme was extended upto July, 2004.

WALAMTARI

• Conducting short term, medium term and long term training courses for officers of I & CAD and agriculture department.
• Coordinator for various specialized courses like waterlogging, salinity control, irrigation water management in rice & ID Crops.
• Prepared operation plan for Irrigation Projects under NWMP.
• Prepared teaching modules for traince officers on “Diagnosis and management of Salt problems in Irrigated Agriculture” and “water management practices for rice”.

All India Coordinated Maize Improvement Project

• Coordinated agronomic trials relating to fertilizer management, water management, planting densities, planting dates etc.
• Responsible for development of suitable agro-technology for adaptation by farmers for kharif and rabi maize

All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Project

• Improving the efficiency of Nitrogen applied at different growth stages in rice, grain filling process and yield maximization.

All India Coordinated Sorghum Improvement Project

• Determination of optimum plantings, optimum levels of NPK, their time and method of application, cropping systems such as Intercropping, crop sequence etc.
• Responsible for development of suitable agro-technology for adaptation by farmers both for Kharif and rabi sorghum.

Transfer of Technology

• Was instrumental in improving new programmes like Rythu Polallo Sastravettalu, Polambadi, Rythu Chaitanya Yatralu, Rythu Sadassu, etc.
• Establishment of District Agricultural Advisory and Transfer of Technology Centers in all districts of the state and adoption of 50 villages attached to institutions for the overall rural developments.
• Popularised and spread improved high yielding crop varieties and production technologies employing multimedia, press, radio, television, publication of bulletins, pamphlets. This has helped to "Reach the unreached farmers" in a short time, and widespread and mass contacts with lakhs of farmers.

Other achievements

• Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University has become the first Agricultural University to host 93rd Indian Science Congress during January, 2006 which was addressed by the His Excellency, the President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, and attended by more than 5500 delegates.
• Our University had the rare opportunity of hosting the visit of His Excellency, The President of USA, Mr George W. Bush, First Lady of USA, Mrs. Laura Bush, US Secretary of State, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, US Ambassador to India, Dr. David Mulford visited our University on March 3, 2006. They had an effective interaction with the Scientists and farmers and were highly satisfied with the development and dissemination of technologies developed by the University for the farming community.
• To strengthen International and Inter Institutional collaboration, this University has entered into MoUs with University of California, Davis, Kansas State University, University of Florida, North Carolina A&T University, lowa State University, Auburn University, USDA Beltsville, International Fertilizer Development Center, on the Collaborative exchange programmes involving exchange of faculty, students and research programmes particularly in the fields of Integrated Nutrient Management, Water Management, Agro-meteorology, Post Harvest Technology, Value addition, Bio-technology, use of IT in Agriculture, bio-fuels etc.
• As per the directive of His Excellency, the President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on the need for the establishment of 100 PURA (Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) in the entire country, two PURA Clusters are to be established in Mahaboobnagar and Nalgonda Districts of Andhra Pradesh for setting up of village knowledge centers, Agri-clinics, tele-education, tele medicine centers and other employment oriented schemes and Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University is entrusted with the establishment of PURA Cluster in Mahaboobnagar District. The University has already initiated steps for establishment of PURA Center at Mahaboobnagar District.
• On 15th November, 2006 the Chairman and members of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture visited the University, held discussions with the University officials and were highly satisfied with performance of the University.

Improvements/innovations made in Administration

• Streamlined the administration in ANGRAU and affected faster disposal of administrative matters.
• Introduced administrative and financial reforms and decentralised powers.
• Introduced several welfare measures for the benefit of staff and students.
• About 300 backlog vacant teaching posts, including Deans, Directors and other University officers were filled.

Expert for Recruitment of Scientists / Teachers

Expert Member for the recruitment of Scientists, Heads of Divisions as Chairman or Member of Selection Committees of some State Agricultural Universities for recruitment of senior level University positions and as the member of Judging committee for the awards instituted by ICAR.

Professional Activities (was and/or currently) :

• Chairman, Board of Management and ANGR Agricultural University.
• Chairman, Academic Council, ANGR Agricultural University
• Member, Faculty Boards of Agriculture, Veterinary, Home Science of ANGR Agricultural University.
• Attended International Seminars, many National Seminars and several All India Workshops (ICAR) and presented number of invitational papers, voluntary papers and reports.
• Organised many Annual Conventions of Societies
• Has wide contacts with Scientists, Policy Makers, Administrators - National and International.
• Writing scientific, research reports and reviews of projects at National and State level
• Organising training programmes for Master Trainers, DOA Officials and Farmers.
• Evaluation/appraisal of projects/schemes in agricultural research/development/extension.

Memberships of Professional Societies

• Member, Indian Society of Agronomy
• Member, Society of Agronomists, ANGRAU.
• Member, Journal of Research, ANGRAU.
• Member, Andhra Agricultural Journal.
• Member, Editorial Board of Journal of Research, ANGRAU.
• Expert/External Examiner for thesis evaluation and qualifying examinations for P.G. students majoring in Agronomy in TNAU, Coimbatore, UAS, Bangalore, UAS, Dharwad, OUA&T, Bhubhaneshwar.

Regular reviewer of Scientific articles for publication in :

• Journal of Indian Society of Agronomy.
• Journal of Indian Society of Oilseeds Research.
• Journal of Research, ANGRAU.
• Andhra Agricultural Journal.

Awards and Recognitions :

• Received the prestigious “JAWAHARLAL NEHRU BIRTH CENTENARY AWARD” for significant and lifetime contribution to the development of science and technology specially in agricultural sciences, at the hands of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh on 3rd January, 2007.
• Recipient of Coromandel Gromor Scholarship (1966-70) Awarded by Coromandal Fertilizer Ltd., during the entire course of B.Sc.(Ag.) for standing first in the College.
• Hyderabad Farmers’ Union Gold Medal (1970) Awarded by Hyderabad Farmer’s Union for standing first in the College in B.Sc.(Ag.) Examination
• JSV Reddy Gold Medal (1970) Awarded for securing maximum O.G.P.A. in the subject of Agronomy in B.Sc.(Ag.) Examination.
• ICAR Senior Research Fellowship (1972-76) Awarded for prosecuting Ph.D. Programme at IARI, New Delhi.

Publications (in National and International Journals) :

Countries Visited :

• At the invitation of a number of Universities in USA, visited University of California, Davis, Kansas State University, University of Florida, North Carolina A&T University, Iowa State University, Auburn University, USDA Beltsville, International Fertilizer Development Center and entered into MoU with the above Universities on collaborative exchange programmes, during April-May, 2006.
• Visited FAO, Rome, The Egypt and The Netherlands and entered into MoU with FAO and the University of Wageningen, the Netherlands during May, 2006.
• Visited Bangkok, Thailand and participated in the meeting of Association of Common Wealth Universities during 2005.
• Was a part of study tour team to USA during 2003-2004.
• Visited International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), Mexico as a visiting scientist from APAU/ICAR and studied Maize Programme during September, 1988 to November, 1988
• Visited East African Countries representing Prathista Industries Limited for developing Research collaborations with respective Countries National Laboratories and Academia.
• Visited Canada representing Prathista Industries Limited for developing Research collaborations with Academic Institututes.
• Visited USA for FOUR times representing Prathista Industries Limited for developing Research collaborations with Tuskegee University, University of Florida, Kansas State University and University of California.

Others

• Member, General Council of NIRD, Hyderabad.
• Member, CAPART, Hyderabad

Areas of Interest:

• Agricultural Education, Research and Extension, Research Management, Administration and Agriculture Development.

Present position

CHAIRMAN FOR AUDIT COMMITTEE AND WHOLE TIME DIRECTOR for Day to Day Research programs of PRATHISTA INDUSTRIES LIMITED in Oversea Countries like USA / Canada & East African Countries.