The Horticulture University announced exclusively for the Telangana region is likely to be set up near Gajwel, the constituency represented by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.
Mr. Rao has previously sounded officials on his desire to have it in his constituency as the existing Dr. YSR Horticulture University is at Venkatramman Gudem in West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh.
It is said that a family that owns 300 acres in the area has evinced keen interest in transferring the land also. In fact, a committee constituted last year to scout a place submitted three proposals – the 203-acre piece in the Acharya N.G. Ranga Agriculture University (ANGRAU) in Rajendranagar; Food Research Station in Sangareddy and Chalgal Farm near Jagityal where an NGO owns 3,000 acres and is ready to donate the same. “Since KCR is personally interested in horticulture, he wants the varsity in his constituency,” a source, declining to be named, said.
A Horticulture University was set up in 2007 after being bifurcated from the ANGRAU and renamed in 2011 as Dr. YSR Horticulture University. It has four horticulture colleges, five polytechnic colleges and three Krishi Vignana Kendras apart from 27 research stations. Of these two, each of Horticulture colleges and Polytechnics and 11 research stations are in Telangana. These will be transferred to the new University.
The new varsity will open a plethora of opportunities for students and agri-skilled professionals as Telangana is considered as one of the best climatic zones in the country for horticulture, says Dr. B. Srinivasa Rao, principal scientist, Horticulture and Head, Grape Research station of Dr. YSRHU. “The soil is best in the country for vegetables and all varieties of fruits,” he says.
Dr. Saidaiah Pidigam, Assistant Professor of Dr. YSRHU says Telangana and Arizona in USA are considered best for seed production in the world, and it reflects with 130 seed production companies based in Telangana.
