`Bid to introduce M.Sc. in food-processing in ANGRAU'

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, NOV. 6. An exercise is on to introduce M.Sc. course in food processing technology in the Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) in view of the vast potential existing in this area.

The Agriculture Minister, Mr Vadde Sobhanadreswara Rao, disclosed this while addressing the valedictory function of Prof. N. G. Ranga's birth centenary celebrations in the university premises this morning attended by peasant champions like Sardar Gouthu Latchanna.

Mr Rao regretted that India was using only 7 per cent of the food-processing potential, while in the developed countries it was to the tune of 70 per cent. He suggested introduction of certificate courses in food-processing technology at Intermediate level after class X, with a duration of two to three years.

Mr Sobhanadreswara Rao paid glowing tributes to Prof N. G. Ranga, recalling how the latter stood behind the farmer till his last breath. The professor, he said, had convinced Mahatma Gandhi on involving farmers in the freedom struggle and held political training camps, producing such stalwarts like Putchalapalli Sundaraiah. At that time itself, the professor spoke of the dangers of GATT and opposed all types of controls and quotas in the agricultural field. The Minister wanted the country to improve productivity and compete in the international market.

Mr Gouthu Latchanna, the Anmal Husbandry Minister, Mr Nimmala Kistappa, Mr K. Rosaiah, senior Congress leader, Mr M. Shashidhar Reddy, former Minister, Mr G. Munirathnam Naidu, Chairman, Acharya Ranga KVK, Tirupati, Mr P. Chengal Reddy, president, Federation of Farmers' Associations, AP, Dr Y. Sivaji, former MP, Mr B. Subba Rao, president, Prof N. G. Ranga Foundation, Mohd. Jani, former Minister, Dr I. V. Subba Rao, the university's Vice- Chancellor, Mr P. Jaipal Yadav, MLA, and Mr Pydithalli Naidu, former MLA, spoke, praising Prof Ranga.

The Agriculture Minister earlier unveiled a bust of Prof. Ranga installed in the premises while he and Mr Kistappa released the latest prints of the titles "Credo of World Peasantry" and "The Modern Indian Peasant" both authored by Prof Ranga. On the stage, Mr Sobhanadreswara Rao felicitated Mr T. V. Krishna Subba Rao, an employee of the Guntur Medical College and sculptor of the bust.

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