Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore

Name of the University: Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore

Year of Establishment: 1971

Vision :
Excellence in agricultural education and Infuse innovative ideas and strategic research to unsolved multidimensional complex field problems of the state of Tamil Nadu to ensure farm productivity, food security, rural livelihood and environmental safety in changing climate scenarios.

Mission:

• Institution of educational and research Programs for students, scientists and stakeholders that create transformative educational and research experiences
• Develop research programs and infrastructure to address emerging food and nutritional security challenges
• Strengthen scientists and faculties to undertake research and development activities to suit current needs
• Infuse research related to biotechnology, nanotechnology, bioinformatics, Geoinformatics and information technology to invigorate agricultural research.
• Augment product development, publications, patenting and commercialization
• To translate scientifically proven concepts into economically viable and socially acceptable technologies.

Jurisdiction / Area of Operation: Tamil Nadu

Educational programmes offered (UG/PG/Ph. D/Diploma):

UG Programmes

Courses offered – Science Degree

1. B.Sc.(Hons.) Agriculture
2. B.Sc.(Hons.) Horticulture
3. B.Sc.(Hons.) Forestry
4. B.Sc.(Hons.) Sericulture
5. B.Tech. (Biotechnology)
6. B.Sc. (Hons.) Agribusiness Management
7. B.Sc.(Hons.) Food, Nutrition and Dietetics

Courses offered – Technology Degrees

1. B.Tech. (Agricultural Engineering)
2. B.Tech. (Food Technology)
3. B.Tech. (Energy and Environmental Engineering)

PG Programmes

• M.Sc. (Ag.) Agricultural Economics
• M.Sc. (Ag.) Agricultural Extension and Communication
• M.Sc. (Ag.) Agrometeorology
• M.Sc. (Ag.) Agronomy
• M.Sc. (Ag.) Biotechnology
• M.Sc. (Ag.) Bioinformatics
• M.Sc. (Ag.) Entomology
• M.Sc. (Ag.) Genetics & Plant Breeding
• M.Sc. (Ag.) Microbiology
• M.Sc. (Ag.) Nematology
• M.Sc. (Ag.) Plant Pathology
• M.Sc. (Ag.) Plant Physiology
• M.Sc. (Ag.) Seed Science & Technology
• M.Sc. (Ag.) Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
• M.Sc. (Horticulture) Vegetable Science
• M.Sc. (Horticulture) Fruit Science
• M.Sc. (Horticulture) Floriculture and Landscape Architecture
• M.Sc. (Horticulture) Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops
• M. Tech (Agricultural Engineering) Processing and Food Engineering
• M.Tech. (Agricultural Engineering) Renewable Energy Engineering
• M.Tech. (Agricultural Engineering) Farm Machinery and Power Engineering
• M.Tech. (Agricultural Engineering) Soil and Water Conservation Engineering
• M.Sc. Sericulture
• M.Sc.(Forestry) Forest Biology and Tree Improvement
• M.Sc.(Forestry) Siliviculture and Agro Forestry
• M.Sc.(Forestry) Forest Products and Utilization
• M.Sc.( Community Science) Food Science and Nutrition
• M.Sc. (Ag.) Environmental Science
• MBA Agri. Business Management
• M.Sc. (Ag.) Nano Science & Technology
• M.Sc. (Ag.) Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System
• M.Sc. (Ag.) Statistics
• M.Tech. (Agricultural Engineering) Food Process Technology
• M.Tech. (Agricultural Engineering) Food Process Engineering
• M.Tech. (Agricultural Engineering) Food Safety and Quality Assurance

Ph. D Programmes:

1. Agricultural Extension and Communication
2. Agricultural Economics
3. Agricultural Microbiology
4. Agrometeorology
5. Agronomy
6. Agricultural Entomology
7. Genetics & Plant Breeding
8. Biotechnology
9. Plant Nematology
10. Plant Pathology
11. Plant Physiology
12. Seed Science & Technology
13. Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
14. Floriculture and Landscape Architecture
15. Fruit Science
16. Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops
17. Vegetable Science
18. Processing and Food Engineering
19. Renewable Energy Engineering
20. Farm Machinery and Power Engineering
21. Soil and Water Conservation Engineering
22. Forestry
23. Sericulture
24. Food Science and Nutrition
25. Environmental Science
26. Agri. Business Management
27. Nano Science & Technology
28. Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System
29. Food Process Engineering
30. Food Process Technology

Open and Distance Education:

• 1. Certificate courses

  • Landscaping and Ornamental Gardening
  • Organic Farming
  • Sericulture
  • Modern Irrigation Management
  • Waste Recycling and Vermicomposting
  • Bee Keeping
  • Sugarcane Production Technology
  • Mushroom Production
  • Bakery and Confectionary Products
  • Coconut Cultivation Technology
  • Medicinal Plants
  • Repair and Maintenance of Farm equipments and Machineries
  • Nursery Techniques and Propagation of Horticultural Plants
  • Preservation of Fruits and Vegetables
  • Vegetable Seed Production
  • Cotton Cultivation Technology
  • Hybrid Seed Production Cotton and Maize
  • Flower Cultivation
  • Weed Management
  • Small Millets Cultivation and Value Addition
  • Handling of Chemicals and Toxic Substances
  • Fodder Production
  • Seed production in rice and maize
  • Certified seed production in vegetable crops
  • High density planting, fertigation and orchard management in major fruit crops
  • Preparation of Agri-business Plan ( In English)
  • Management of Farmers Producer Companies
  • Integrated Farming System (IFS) suitable to Dharmapuri district
  • Ethnic Veterinary Practices (EVP) used for common livestock and poultry disease
  • Seed Production techniques in Cotton
  • Farm waste management for dry and arid zones for enhanced soil health
  • Basic propagation techniques in horticultural crops
  • Hybrid Seed Production in Maize
  • Skill Empowerment for Plantation Supervisors
  • Veeduthorumvivasayam
  • Certificate courses for NGOs for their livelihood
  • Know how on Hill Horticultural crops.
  • Tea Cultivation Technology (Kothari Agricultural Management Centre, Coonoor )
  • Industrial Agro Forestry
  • Plantation Forestry Techniques
  • Agro based textile finishes for Entrepreneur development

• 2. Diploma Programmes

  • Diploma in Farm Technology
  • Diploma in Horticultural Technologies
  • Diploma in Farm Machinery and its Maintenance
  • Diploma in Quality control in Agri-Warehousing
  • Diploma in Herbal Science
  • Diploma in Coconut Production Technology
  • Diploma in Sugarcane Technology
  • Diploma in Organic Agriculture
  • Diploma in Production of Bio-fertilizers and Bio control Agents
  • Diploma in Food Science and Processing
  • Diploma in Production and Quality Control in Medicinal Plants in collaboration with PSG College of Pharmacy
  • Diploma in Tea Plantation Management in collaboration with Kothari Agricultural Management Centre, Coonoor

• 3. Diploma in Agri-Inputs – One Year Programme

• 4. Special Certificate courses

  • Insecticide Management
  • Fertilizer dealership
  • Herbal Formulation and Technology

• 5. Online Certificate Courses

  • Kitchen and Roof Gardening
  • Medicinal Plants and Aromatic Crops
  • Vermi-composting
  • Organic Farming Inputs
  • Ornamental Gardening and Landscaping
  • Pest and Diseases Diagnosis in Home gardening

• 6. Crash course

  • Crash course on Innovative Farm Technologies

  • 1. Certificate courses - Eligibility details

    • Eligibility : 10th Pass
    • Medium : Tamil
    • Duration : 6 months
    • Age limit : Above 18 years
    • Contact Class : 6 - Monthly once (On Saturday)
    • Course Fees : Rs.2500/-

  • 2. Diploma programmes- Eligibility details

    • Eligibility : 10th standard Pass
    • Medium : English
    • Duration : 1 year (2sem)
    • PCP : 10 (20 days)
    • Course Fees : Rs.10,000/- (Per Month)

  • 3. Diploma in Agri-Inputs - Eligibility details

    • Eligibility : 10th standard appeared
    • Medium : Tamil
    • Duration : One Year
    • Age limit : Above 18 years
    • Contact Class : Every Saturdays
    • Course Fees : Rs.25,000/-

  • 4. Special Certificate courses - Eligibility details

    • Fertilizer Dealership

      • Eligibility : 10th standard appeared
      • Medium : Tamil
      • Duration : 15 Weeks
      • Age limit : Above 18 years
      • Contact Class : Every Sundays
      • Course Fees : Rs.12,000/-

    • Insecticide Dealership

      • Eligibility : 10th standard appeared
      • Medium : Tamil
      • Duration : 12 Weeks
      • Age limit : Above 18 years
      • Contact Class : Every Saturdays
      • Course Fees : Rs.10,000/-

    • Herbal Formulation and Technology

      • Eligibility : 12th standard Pass
      • Medium : English
      • Duration : 6 Month
      • Age limit : Above 18 years
      • Contact Class : 10 Days - Once in a month on Saturday & Sunday
      • Course Fees : Rs.10,000/-

  • 5. Online Certificate courses - Eligibility details

    • Eligibility : 12th standard appeared
    • Medium : English
    • Duration : 2 months
    • Age limit : Above 18 years
    • Course Fees : Rs.3000/-

  • 6. Crash course - Eligibility details

    • Eligibility : 12th standard Pass
    • Medium : English
    • Duration : 15 days
    • Age limit : Above 18 years
    • Course Fees : Rs.15,000/-

Major area of research:

• The TNAU sets the research priorities to derive solution to unresolved field problems with respect to the State of Tamil Nadu besides addressing national/global challenges.
• Evolve high yielding varieties/hybrids to tackle abiotic and biotic stress conditions through classic and molecular breeding approaches in agricultural, horticultural and forest tree crops.
• Develop climate resilient agricultural practices to sustain the agricultural productivity.
• Manage invasive pests and disease through technology capsule.
• Design and fabrication of customized miniaturized machines to achieve complete mechanization to overcome labour shortage.
• Develop nutritive food products and devising methods to reduce post harvest losses in crops and their value additions.
• Infuse innovative technological options such as nano-biotechnology, sensors, artificial intelligence, drones and robotics in agriculture to promote smart farming

Highlights of extension education Activities(Including Number of KVK Training Programmes / Certificate Courses, etc.,):

• There are 14 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) functioning under the control of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University with a mandate of Technology Demonstration and Adoption.
• During 2020-21, the TNAU KVKs have organized 132 On Farm Testing (OFT) in an area of 114.5 ha benefiting 610 farmers; 246 Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) in an area of 386.8 ha benefiting 2,215 beneficiaries.
• The KVKs also conducted 477 On-campus and Off-campus training programmes to 13964 farmers and 61 vocational training programmesfor 2,941farmers.
• The Educational Media Centre of TNAU: Produced 64 video programmes, conducted 98 video shows and uploaded 79 video programmes in TNAU TV YouTube channel for the benefit of farming community during the year 2020-21.
• The Agritech portal (http:// agritech.tnau.ac.in): Contains more than nine lakh pages of information related to agriculture and allied sciences in Tamil and English. About 3,24,060 users visited the site and had used the information.
• Android Apps on Expert System has been developed in Tamil and English languages for crops namely; paddy, sugarcane, finger millet, coconut, banana and for animal husbandry enterprises like cow and buffalo, goat rearing and poultry. Totally, 12 Android Apps were uploaded in the Google play Store and mygov App Store of Government of India.
• Agricultural Technology Information Centre (ATIC) acts as a single window delivery system of technology and inputs. The centre sells inputs like seeds, planting materials, bio-fertilizers, crop boosters and technical books for the benefit of farmers. During 2020-21 the ATIC has earned an amount of Rs.3,15,288lakh by sale of various inputs particularly the crop boosters and seeds

Strength of the University (Including 5 important achievements):

• TNAU becomes a well knitted university carrying 18 constituent colleges, 14 technical directorates, 39 research stations and 14 KVKs to cater to the needs and aspirations of the farmers of the State of Tamil Nadu. The university was established as Land Grant University similar to the one in USA. It has more than 45 disciplines of education and research contributing significantly for the agricultural growth. It received one of the most prestigious Krishi Karman Award for six consecutive years, (2 times for food grains, one time each for cereals, pulses and oilseeds besides micro-irrigation in the past 10 years.
• The newly released notable TNAU varieties during the past five years include rice (Co. 51, VGD 1, TKM 13, CR 1009 Sub1, TPS 5), millets (Samai ATL1; Tenai ATL 1; Kodo millet ATL1, Barn yard millet MDU 1), pulses (blackgram VBN 6, VBN 8, VBN 11), oilseeds (Groundnut VRI 8; TMV 14; BSR 2), cotton (Co. 17), castor (YTP 1; YRCH 1 & 2) and forages (CSV 33MF; COBN 5) and Horticulture Banana Co. 2; Papaya Co.8, Vegetables Tomato: CoTH 4; Onion Co. 5 & 6; BhendiCoBH 4 and cassava YTP 2
• "Ramiah Gene Bank” established at TNAU in 2010 which is capable of housing more than One Lakh genetic resources for a medium term storage up to 20 years and long-term storage up to 1000 years. Currently, 28,750 genotypes are stored at 20oC. The TNAU helps the country in collection, conservation and evaluation of genetic resources to sustain crop production
• The TNAU has developed more than 1500 technologies for adoption by farmers to improve the productivity and profitability of crops and the entire technology package has been capsulated as the Crop Production Guide in Agriculture and Horticulture and the updated version is released in 2020
• DBT & ICAR recognized TNAU Nanotechnology Center as the National referral laboratory for technology development. The Nanotechnology Center has reached the centre stage in Prime Minister VAIBHAV program wherein TNAU will have opportunity to tie up with a wide array of foreign universities in a single platform. The Center begins to commercialize nano-products like enhanced freshness formulation, nano-stickers, nano-anti transpirant. The Agro-Climate Research Center provides agro-advisory services as SMS in local language for 108 crops for taking strategic and tactical farming decisions that help the farmers to save inputs by 10-15
• Center for Plant Protection Studies (CPPS) carries the Departments namely Entomology, Pathology and Nematology. The Center has taken various steps to protect the crops from trans-boundary pests such as Fall Army Worm, Rugose Spiraling Whitefly, Cassava mealy bug besides viral diseases and other emerging plant diseases with State Government programs.

Niche Area of Excellence (Area in which University is strong):

1. Development of climate resilient crop varieties: Crop varieties tolerant to abiotic and abiotic stress conditions, gene pyramiding for multiple resistance utilizing classic and molecular breeding programs to achieve sustained increase in agricultural productivity and biofortification of genotypes to achieve food security
2. Horticulture: High density planting, vertical farming, grafting techniques and climate resilient arid fruit crops Protected cultivation of high value horticultural crops,Develop standard operational protocols for economically feasible greenhouse cultivation Roof Gardening/Kitchen Gardening are being focused
3. Nanotechnologies to design and fabricate agri-inputs for smart farming, encapsulation of functional foods, lab-on chip technologies and reduce post-harvest losses in perishables.
4. Precision farming practices : Drip fertigation, sensor-based irrigation, automation in farming, bioinoculants for sustained soil health, rapid decomposition of agro-wastes, and timely farm advisories for the predicted weather conditions
5. Promoting multifunctional social forestry to maximize the economic, environmental and social benefits from forests and gain subsidiary and consistent income through integrated farming systems
6. Monitoring of invasive pests to keep the incidence under control. Coconut Rugose Spiralling Whitefly (RSW), Fall Armyworm (FAW), and Cassava mealybug, Phenococcusmanihoti are addressed
7. The Directorate of Agribusiness Development (DABD) was established in 2007 and 181 incubatees enrolled in ABI, out of which 30 have been granted Rs. 165.3 lakhs for their innovative ideas. The DABDis also caring Student Entrepreneurship program (AGPREUN) and students are participated and the best teams are being identified.
8. Price forecasting for price stabilization The Directorate of CARDS carries DEMIC (Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell) provides pre-sowing and pre-harvest price forecast of 14 major agricultural and horticultural crops of Tamil Nadu disseminate through print and electronic media to increase the productivity, profitability and market access to the farming community.
9. e-Extension to reach the unreached Doubling the farmers income through IoT, UzhavanApp to reach farmers of Tamil Nadu for all integrated services of Government of Tamil Nadu and TNAU.

Status of Autonomy: Autonomous: Board Management by Chairman and Members.

Funding support received (From state and other agencies) Rs. In Crore:

Financial year 20210-21

ICAR and AICRP: 160 Cr, GOI Research Grant: 40 Cr,

TN State Government: 570 Cr.Total : 870 Cr

Faculty Position: Total Faculties of Assistant professor, Associate professor, Professor across disciplines: 1009

Student intake:

• UG: 1462
• PG :461
• Ph.D.: 187

per year and Open Distance Learning courses enroll more than 4000.

TNAU exhibited phenomenal performance in acquiring the highest number of ICAR JRF (93) during 2021

Contact Details