GOVIND BALLABH PANT UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY, PANTNAGAR
Media meet and technology showcasing -
 A ‘Media meet and showcasing of technology’ was held at Pantnagar campus on 18 march 2010, large number of media persons of regional and national newspapers and TV channels participated in this event under the subproject ‘Mobilizing mass media support for sharing agro-information’ of National Agricultural Innovation
project of the ICAR. In the inaugural function, Dr B.S. Bisht, VC was the chief guest, and Dr. T.P. Trivedi, Assistant Director General, ICAR and Principal Investigator of the project, was the guest of honour.
Dr Bisht, in his inaugural address highlighted the major contribution of Pantnagar university in agriculture, human-resource development and development of society. While underlining the importance of agricultural technologies he informed that out of 32 new technologies selected for display in Rastrapati Bhawan this year, 18 were from agriculture. Dr. Bisht pointed that the university is laying the form of future thrust on development of varieties as per changed climatic conditions, livestock development and promotion of nutriceuticals, medicinal plants, precision farming, hill farming and help to farmer through Information Technology.
Dr Trivedi briefed about National Agricultural Research System and NAIP project and their achievements. He urged media to play an important role in meeting the information needs of farmers and scientists, and facilitate major achievements in the field of agriculture.
 Mr Sudhir Chhadha, a progressive farmer and agri entrepreneur, expressed that besides having a huge potential, India is lagging behind in agriculture. He emphasized the need of collaboration between agricultural scientists and industry to improve our face value at international level.
Dr. S.K. Saini, Director Experiment station, presented a brief account of few selected technologies developed by the university; and Dr J.P. Tiwari, Dean (Agriculture) highlighted the contribution of media in promotion of agricultural technologies of the University. A question-answer session was organized, in which media persons asked specific questions about different technologies. A showcasing of selected agri-technologies was also organized, Dr. Gyanedra Sharma, Project Investigator welcomed the delegates and guests,Dr B. Kumar, Director, Communication presented the vote of thanks. Dr. Naresh Kumar, Co-PI, anchored the function.
MoU to educate girl students on nutrition and health
The university has signed a MoU with Nestlé India to implement Nutrition awareness programme in Uttarakhand, represented respectively by Dr B.S. Bisht, VC and Shri. Suresh Damodaran, Factory Manager of Nestle at Pantnagar.
The project would reach out to adolescent girls (13-17 years) studying in village schools for imparting health and nutrition awareness through easy-to-learn and interactive sessions. The topics to be covered include balanced diet, nutritive value of common foods, common local deficiencies and the fads and fallacies related to food.
A joint committee of representatives from the two organizations will oversee implementation of the programme. Joint surveys will be carried out to determine the areas in which the project will be conducted. This programme is being launched across locations in India in collaboration with reputed educational institutions after successful completion of a pilot project carried out by Nestle India with Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana.
Royalty from M/S Syngenta India Ltd 
M/S Syngenta India Ltd has paid a royalty of more than Rs 5 lakh to the university for commercial production and sale of seed of Pant Sankar Dhan–3 variety developed by university scientists, at 5 percent of the seed sold during 2008 and 2009. This disease-resistant paddy variety matures in 126 days and gives 68-72 q/ha yield.
GURU ANGAD DEV VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY, LUDHIANA
The GADVASU established a regional research, extension and training centre at Kaljharani (Bhatinda) and organized its first Pashu palan mela on 27 November, 2009. Prakash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Punjab while inaugurating it, appreciated the efforts of the university in setting it up and suggested that exhibitions and meals should be arranged in remote areas of the state to benefit the farmers on latest technologies in livestock production. Dr V. K Taneja, VC, informed that centre shall maintain Sahiwal and crossbred cows, buffaloes and goats for demonstration and training of farmers and disseminate improved animal-husbandry practices for increased productivity and income from livestock.
KARNATAKA VETERINARY ANIMAL AND FISHERIES SCIENCES UNIVERSITY, BIDAR
National workshop
A national workshop on “Strategies for extension education in fisheries and animal husbandry sector for the next decade” was organised by Directorate of Extension, Bidar Campus during 4-5 September, 2009. Dr Dilip Kumar, Director & VC, CIFE-Deemed University, Mumbai, delivered the keynote address; and Dr A. K. Srivastava, Director & VC, NDRI - Deemed University, Karnal and Dr M. V. Gupta, World Food Prize laureate. Dr H. Shivananda Murthy, Director of Extension & Organising Secretary Coordinated the workshop. Prof Suresh Honnappagol, VC, Dr M. J. Chandre Gowda, Additional Commissioner, GoI; Dr S. Prabhu Kumar, Zonal Project Director, ICAR, and other dignitaries presented lead papers. A compendium containing the lead papers was released on the occasion. The workshop was attended by more than 150 participants from all over the country working in the area of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries from different Veterinary / Animal Sciences / Agriculture Universities , Deemed Universities and Development Departments.
MAHATAMA PHULE KRISHI VIDYAPEETH, RAHURI
Bio-control and bio-technology laboratory at Pune
Shri. Sharad Pawar, Union Agriculture Minister, inaugurated Bio-control and Bio-technology laboratory at College of Agriculture, Pune on 24 January 2010. Shri Pawar said that the modern technology is the way of future and we have to adopt it to increase the food production at affordable cost. He stated that farmers should get good prices for their produce to ensure the country’s food security and to strengthen the economy. Shri. Balashaeb Thorat, Minister of Agriculture, Government of Maharastra presided over the function. He emphasized the need to conduct research on upcoming pests and diseases in view of the changing climate. He hoped that the scientists would rise to these challenges through bio-technological research. Dr R.B.Deshmukh, VC gave the introductory remarks, and Dr B.R.Ulmek, Associate Dean, proposed the vote of thanks.
23rd national convention
The 23rd National Convention of Agricultural Engineers was organized at Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri in collaboration with Institution of Engineers (India), Maharashtra State Centre, during 6-7 February 2010. The theme of the convention was ‘Agricultural Mechanization through entrepreneurial development’.
Total 137 papers were presented in 14 concurrent technical sessions. One special session of the Farmers–Industry–Scientist was organized to discuss the problems of agricultural mechanization
Dr V. M. Mayande, Dr. Ashwani Kumar, Dr R. T. Patil, Dr H. G. More and Dr A. G. Powar were conferred with ‘Eminent Engineers Award 2010’ by Institution of Engineers (India) during this convention for their valuable contributions to the field of agricultural engineering.
Dr M. M. Pandey, DDG (Agric. Engg), delivered Rathindranath Tagore Memorial lecture on “Agricultural engineering for enhanced productivity and employment generation”. He pointed out the significant achievements made in the development of Farm Machinery and Power in the country. He emphasized the need to pay more attention on reduction in drudgery of farm workers especially farm women.
MPKV third in JRF
MPKV, Rahuri achieved the third position at national level in Junior Research Fellowship examinations of the ICAR, New Delhi for 2008-09. Twenty three students of the university achieved success in this examination. Shri Sharad Pawar, Union Minister of Agriculture felicitated the VC Dr R.B.Deshmukh for this achievement. The University is consistently among the top three positions in JRF exams during the last three years.
MAHARANA PRATAP UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY, UDAIPUR
MBA programme in agric business
A MBA course in agric business was started by the university as a self-financing programme with intake capacity of 20 students from each discipline of agriculture and allied sciences.
Short course on Computer-aided apparel designing and production pattern making
A 10 day short course on Computer-aided apparel designing and production pattern making was organized during 17 to 26 August 2009 at Department of Textiles and Apparel Designing, at college of Home Science, Udaipur. Total 13 participants from different states attended the course. The short-course comprises lectures, demonstration, and practical exposure to the use of graphic software and PPS software and interactive sessions with designers. The participants were given demonstration on apparel designing on computer, development of commercial pattern for production and use of multi-layer cutting in apparel manufacturing unit of the department. A manual was also released on computer-aided apparel unit and production-pattern making.
Dr R. K Mittal, ADG (EQR), ICAR, was the chief guest, and Prof. S.S. Chahal, VC, presided during the valedictory session and distributed certificates to the participants.
Varieties
The following varieties were recommended for release by State Seed Sub-Committee for Agricultural and Horticultural Crops at the meeting held on 4 January 2010.
Maize: Pratap Hybrid Maize-2 (EH-1389)
An early-maturing (80 days), white-seeded, single-cross hybrid with bold and semi-flint grains, having yield potential of 50-56 q/ha, suitable for rainfed conditions. It is tolerant to major insect pests and diseases.
Sorghum: Pratap Chari -1080
An early single-cut (60-65 days) variety with yield potential of 350-400 q/ha of green fodder and 125-135 q/ha of dry fodder. Per day green and dry fodder production was 5-49 q/hr and 1.93q/hr respectively. The fodder quality is superior, having protein 6.8% with in vitro digestible dry matter (IVDMD) 54.8%.
Groundnut: Pratap Raj Mungphali (UG-5) 
A spanish bunch early cultivar maturing in 95-99 days, with dry pod yield 22-25 q/ha and kernel yield 15-17q/ha. It contains 49 % oil and 69 % shelling efficiency. The variety is moderately resistant to early and late leaf spot diseases and jassids. This cultivar is developed for kharif (rainy) season.
Soybean: Pratap Raj 24 (RKS -24) 
A high-yielding variety (30-35 q/ha), maturing in 95-100 days and having cremish yellow seed. This variety has 21% oil and 40-41% protein content and shows moderate resistance to collar rot, girdle beetle, stem fly and defoliators.
Ajwain: Pratap Ajwain-1 
Pratap Ajwain-1 has seed yield potential of 8-10 q/ha. It is suitable for dryland agriculture. It matures in 150-155 days and contains 3.9% volatile oils. The seeds are bold and greenish. It is moderately resistant to prevailing diseases like leaf blight and powdery mildew.
Babchi: Pratap Babchi -1 
Indeterminate growth habit with a plant height of 164 ± 70 cm, bluish purple- flowered, bold-seeded cultivar, having a test weight of 1.77 g. It has high psoralen content (1.37%) with a psoralen-yield potential 38-40 kg/ha.
Visit of Scientists
- Dr. P. K. Singh, Associate Professor, Department of Soil and Water Engineering, CTAE, Udaipur, was on visit under the scheme Full Bright Visiting Lecturer Fellowship, at Florida International University, Miami, the USA from 15 September 2009 to 15 January 2010.
- Dr V. P. Saini, Assistant. Professor, Department of Fisheries, College of Fisheries, Udaipur, attended International training programme on “Molecular breeding: fish” under NAIP at University of Stirling, the UK, during 15 October 2009 to 14 January 2010.
Fifth convocation 
The fifth university convocation was held on 12 March 2010 at Udaipur. Smt. Prabha Rau, HE, the Governor of Rajasthan and Chancellor of the university presided over the programme.
In her presidential address she streamlined the national and global issues of food and nutritional security of the people, the recent spiraling prices of food-grains, the demand-supply gap in oilseed and pulses, etc. She laid emphasis on the need to preserve the bio-diversities; especially in the context of depleting natural resources of the state. Prof. S.S. Chahal, VC presented the university report, covering the major accomplishments in education, research and extension achieved after last convocation on 26 October 2006 and specified the immediate thrust area for strengthening in the university. Prof. G.K.Chadha, Chief Executive Officer, South Asian University, New Delhi, was conferred Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) in absentia. In all 236 Masters and 110 Ph.D. students of different faculties were awarded the degree. Besides, 27 students were awarded gold medals for their excellent all-round performance in the studies.
MARATHWADA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, PARBHANI
17th convocation 
The 17th convocation of MAU was held on 19 December 2009 at Parbhani. Dr S. S Kadam, VC, presided over the function. Dr Mangala Rai, Director-General, ICAR, New Delhi was the chief guest. Shri Vijayrao Kotle, Vice-Chairman, MCAER, Pune, graced the event. During convocation, 2,683 degrees were conferred on undergraduate, post-graduate and Ph.D. students, and 23 gold, and 11 silver medals and 18 cash prizes were awarded to Smt. Dr D. Murli, Dr P. N Antwal of Home Science for significant contribution in women empowerment and Dr R. G Nardre and Shri P. A Mundhe for fabrication of farmer-friendly implements. In the address, Dr Mangala Rai pointed out drought as the main stumbling block in agricultural production that prevails in 13 states of India. He emphasized the need for proper utilization of water and bringing larger area under irrigation. If water-use efficiency is increased by 10% we can produce 50 million tones additional grains food. For dissemination of developed technologies, we need to adopt demand-driven extension in place of the present extension system. He appealed the graduates to take agriculture as business for acceleration of farm income and productive employment.
Workshop on in-situ soil-moisture conservation 
A workshop on in-situ soil moisture conservation was organized on 1 October 2009 by Department of Soil and Water Conservation, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Parbhani, under the aegis of Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India, New Delhi. The participants included Dr S. O Wani, Regional Co-ordinator (Asia), ICRISAT, Hyderabad, and Shri P.K. Parchure, Regional Director, Central; Ground Water Board, Nagpur, Dr S. S. Kadam, VC, presided over the function, who underlined the importance on in-situ soil-moisture conservation in the present scenario of climatic change.
Sanjay Supekar attends international course. 
Shri Sanjay Supekar, subject matter specialist (Agricultural Engineering.), FRS, Aurangabad attended the international R&D course on Agricultural Engineering Technologies at Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Israel during 3-26 November 2009. The course focused on advanced agricultural engineering technologies like optimization and atomization of irrigation, quality control and production management, geographical positioning system for precision agriculture, monitoring of environment and climate in greenhouse, computerized decision-support system, harvest and post-harvest systems and the application of soil and water-conservation technologies.
PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, LUDHIANA
Chrysanthemum show
A Chrysanthemum show, exhibiting different varieties of chrysanthemum flowers was held on 5-6 December 2009 at Ludhiana. The show was organized jointly by Department of Floriculture and Landscaping alone with Estate Organization and was dedicated to the memory of eminent Punjabi poet Bhai Vir Singh, whose birth anniversary fell on 5 December.
Inaugurating the show, Dr. Jaspinder Singh Kolar, Member PAU Board of Management said that commercial flower cultivation has a great scope for Punjab farmers and offers a good option for crop diversification. He expressed satisfaction that PAU has developed several chrysanthemum hybrids, which should be registered. He urged the PAU scientists to evolve tissue-culture techniques for fast multiplication of flower plants.
More than 150 varieties of chrysanthemum having varied colours, shapes and flower sizes were exhibited at the show. The PAU has developed 50 hybrids varieties of chrysanthemum, of which 15 have been released for general cultivation in Punjab and the remaining are under testing stage. A large number of people in and around the campus came to see the show.
New varieties
The university released five new varieties of vegetables, fruits and mushrooms viz. Punjab Kareli-1 bitter gourd, Punjab Ratta tomato, Punjab Pink guava, Star Ruby grapefruit and Shitake mushroom. The state variety approval committee, gave formal approval for their release for general cultivation in the state. Their salient features are given below:-
Bitter gourd
Punjab Kareli-1: Leaves are green, smooth and serrated. Vines are long. Fruits are long thin, green and ridged. It takes 66 days for first harvest. Single fruit weight is # 50g and average yield 70 q/a.
Guava
Punjab Pink: It is an apple-coloured hybrid. Trees are vigorous with drooping branches. The fruit is medium to large, with attractive red skin in summer season and golden yellow in winter. The flesh is red, having pleasant flavour. TSS is 10.5 to 12.0 %. It is a prolific bearer, will average yield 53 kg/tree.
Grapefruit
Star Ruby: Trees medium in size, fruit size small to medium, shape oblate-roundish. Peel smooth, glossy yellow, having distinctly bright red blush. Flesh colour is deep red, fruit seedless (1-2 seeds), juicy, rich in vitamin C and has high TSS, well blended with acidity. It is an early variety that ripens during last week of November and yields 53 kg/tree.
Mushroom
Shiitake Mushroom: Lentinus edodes (Shiitake mushroom) has an attractive buff to brown colour, large-sized fruit bodies having characteristic aroma and good shelf-life. It has very good nutritive value (58-60% carbohydrates, 20-23% proteins, 9-10% fibre, 3-4% fat and 4-5% ash). The variety is known for its medicinal value. It can be cultivated during October to end of February (14-24ºC) throughout the state of Punjab and plains of north India, and yields 50 kg fresh mushroom/100 kg. dry straw.
Tomato
Punjab Ratta: Plants determinate, foliage cover dense and dark green. It takes 125 days from transplanting to first picking when transplanted during the last week of November. Fruits are oval, medium sized, very firm and deep red (average lycopene content 8/mg/100/g), with average yield 225 q/acre. It is suitable for processing.
Natural nutritive vinegar
The Department of Microbiology is preparing a number of products such as bio-fertilizers, rhizobium culture, mushroom spawn etc. for selling to farmers and others people. Recently has come up with natural vinegar made by fermentation of sugarcane juice. According to Dr Maninder Arora, Head of the Department, the vinegar is free of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants, it is of yeast origin and is good for health.
Endeavour Research Fellowship-2010 
Dr Surinder Sandhu, Associate Professor, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, has been selected to receive a 2010 Endeavour Research Fellowship. The Endeavour awards are the Australian Government's internationally competitive, merit-based scholarship programme, providing high-achieving individuals with a unique opportunity to undertake study, research or professional development. Ms Julia Gillard, Minister of Education from Deputy Prime Minister's office, Canberra, congratulated her for the award. Ms Melissa Sheehan, Director, Scholarships, Exchanges and Alumni Section of Department of Education, Australian Government informed that the award is valued at A$ 23,500 with establishment allowance A$ 4,000, travel allowance A$ 4,500 and monthly stipend A$ 2,500 per month for up to 6 months on pro-rota basis. Ms Sandhu passed M.Sc. and Ph.D with distinction and fetched the prestigious Jawahar lal Nehru Award (1996) for her doctoral research.
The research would relate to the expression of genes involved in the control of lignin biosynthesis, alter the cell wall of sugarcane. The project envisages the identification of a lignin-path way promoter with high expression in sugarcane. This will help improve the ethanol production from sugarcane efficiently.
Visit of international delegation on Education 
A six-member international delegation paid a visit to PAU to discuss matters relating to education. The member were, Dr Mort Neufville, Executive Vice-President (Retd), Association of Public and Land Grant Universities, Washington DC; Dr Pradip Mukerji, Center Director, Pacific Asia R & D, Abbott Nutrition, Research and Development, Singapore; Dr David Hansen, Senior Fellow, Association of Public Land Grant Universities, Washington DC; Dr William B. DeLauder, Higher Education Consultant and President Emeritus, Delaware State University, Bear; Dr Sammy Comer, Director, International Food and Agricultural Development, School of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville; and Dr K.G.Raghothama, Professor and Associate Director, International Programmes in Agriculture, Purdue University, West Lafayette.
Dr Hansen said internship programmes of 8-10 weeks with focus on agro-business would be worth-while where PAU could supervise students from other universities and vice versa. He said that a concept paper on the setting up of University Consortium should be prepared to specify the background goals and objectives, strategy, structure, system and support, as well as the participated of the private sector of both India and US.
Regarding curriculum development, the programme, dual-degree system, curriculum making, distance education etc. were discussed from various angles. Dr Raghothama suggested a tripartite arrangement of students learning from PAU and working in industrial sector. Dr R.S.Sidhu, Dean, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities suggested the adoption of online system of imparting instructions to the teaching faculty as per the system terms followed for international students of executive business masters under the South-Asian modules.
The discussion led to setting a stage for identifying areas for curriculum development and internship programmes that include agri-business, bee-keeping for honey production, food engineering, integrated pest management, bio-technology, medicinal and aromatic plants, nursery production in horticultural crops, seed technology, agro-ecology etc.
National award for excellence in technology transfer 
Punjab Agricultural University received the first International Potash Institute (Switzerland) and Fertilizer Association of India (IPI-FAI) Award-2009 for promoting balanced and integrated fertilizer use with emphasis on potassium.
The award carries Rs 25,000 along with a certificate and a crystal souvenir, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Mr M.K. Alagiri to Dr. Manjit Singh Kang, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, at the inaugural function of the FAI Annual Seminar-2009 in the Convention Center, Hyderabad Marriott Hotel, Hyderabad.
UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, DHARWAD
New Varieties 
Sunflower: RSFH-130 hybrid is recommended for north-eastern transitional zone (Zone 1) and north-eastern dry zone (Zone 2) with yield potential 22-25 q/ha and maturities 95-100 days. It has high oil content and tolerance to bud-necrosis disease.
Paddy: IET 9926 is recommended for hilly zone, with 18 per cent higher yield than the check Intan. It has yield potential of 55-60 q/ha and maturity of 160-165 days. It is tolerant to submergence and blast disease and is suited for puffing
Sesame: DSS-9 is early maturing (90 days), bold-seeded and high-yielding (6-8 q/ha), recommended for Zones 1 and 2. 
Ginger: Humanabad Local identified for north-eastern transitional and dry zones (Zones 1 and 2), and northern dry zone (Zone 3) is high yielding (28 t/ha). The rhizome has less fibre and high essential oil.
Crop production
 In cotton-based intercropping studies, growing of cotton + onion (1:5), cotton + chilli/ beans (1:5), cotton + groundnut/ greengram/ soybean (1:3), cotton + coriander (1:2) were found remunerative (zone 8). - Sowing of pigeonpea seeds in polybags (5 x 4) during second week of May in Zones 1 and 2 and transplanting seedlings at 25-30 days in main field soon after receipt of rain increased the yield of pigeonpea.
- Pre-emergence application of Butachlor @ 1.5 kg/ha (3ml/l) effectively controlled the weeds in maize + soybean (1:2) and sorghum + pigeonpea (4:2) intercropping (Zones 1 and 2).
Bt, brinjal 
Cultivation of brinjal (bangan eggplant) is often input intensive, specially under insecticide application. The fruit-and-shoot borer Malapur Local(Leucinodes orbonalis Guen) is its most serious and destructive insect, accounting for 70% losses in commercial plantings. The UAS, Dharwad selected six local cultivars of eggplant, Manjari Gota, Hdupi Gulla, Malapur local (S), Kudachi local, Rabkavi local and GO-112, (having high local consumer preference in Karnataka and southern Maharashtra) to transfer Cry 1Ac gene in them.
A clear advantage of the technology in terms of negligible shoot Rabakavi Local
infestation (0.00%) and significantly reduced fruit infestation (<5%) in all the Bt brinjal varieties compared with their non-Bt counterparts was observed. 
More than 96% of the fruits were marketable in Bt varieties compared with these in non Bt varieties. Requirement of insecticide sprays reduced to 3-4 in Bt varieties compared with 30-35 in respective non-Bt varieties. Overall, 49.02 to 74.90% yield advantage was observed over respective non-Bt variety besides reduced sprays of insecticides and higher benefit cost ratios.
NAAS Fellow 
Dr Basavaraj M. Khadi, Dean (Postgraduate Studies), UAS, Dharwad was elected as Fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences-2010, with effect from 1 January,2010.
Visits abroad 
Dr Mukanagouda S. Patil, Professor, Plant Pathology, ACD, has participated and presented a research paper entitled "Integrated management practices for tomato leaf-curl Disease in tomato (Solanum lycopersicon (mill.) Wettsd)" at the 4th International Congress of Chemistry and Environment (ICCE, 2009) held at Ubonratehathani University, Thailand during 21-23 January, 2010.
Nomination 
Dr D.P.Biradar, Professor (Agronomy) and Editor, Publication Centre, UAS, Dharwad was nominated as member of Laboratory Committee of Karnataka Sate Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), Bangalore, for the tenure of 1 year.
UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, RAICHUR
ISO Certification
The College of Agriculture, Raichur under UAS, Raichur received three ISO 9001:2008 certification by Bureau Verita Certification (India) Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai. The Certificate is valid for 3 years from 31 December 2009 to 30 December, 2012. This is the first College in the country under ICAR-SAU system to obtain ISO certification. The certificate was awarded for imparting quality education in agricultural sciences both at undergraduate and post-graduate levels.
Short Profile
UNIVERSITY OF HORTICULTURAL SCINCES, BAGALKOT 
The university was established by Government of Karnataka through Special Ordinance No. 2 of 2008, dated 22 November 2008 at Bagalkot. It is the third horticultural university in the country. Dr.S.B.Dandin, the first VC, was appointed on 20 April 2010. Five Horticulture colleges which were functioning already at Arabhavi (Belgaum district), Mudigere (Chikkamagalur district), Bidar (Bidar district), Bagalkot (Bagalkot district), were associated with the university. One new college was started at Kolar (Kolar district) in 2009. Four more new horticulture colleges were announced by the CM in 2010-11 budget. The UG and PG educational programmes being offered at UAS, Dharwad and Bangalore were also brought into this university from academic year 2009-10.
Consequently, 12 Horticultural Research Stations and 10 AICRP’s were transferred from UAS, Dharwad and Bangalore along with the assets and employees, with effect from 1 April 2009. The university caters to education, research and extension in the field of Horticulture with following mandates:
- To impart quality education in all branches of horticulture and allied sciences;
- To conduct applied strategic and basic research in all branches of horticulture and related disciplines.; and
- To facilitate transfer of technology to the farming community through extension system and outreach.
There are three directorates viz. Education, Research and Extension with integrated functioning.
Location
University headquarter is situated at Navanagar, 6 Km from old Bagalkot Town on Belgaum – Raichur State Highway. Bagalkot is well connected by railway and nearest air port Hubli (100 km) and Belgaum (120 km). The Bagalkot district is located in the northern part of Karnataka. The most elevated portion of the district lies between 450 to 800 m above the sea level, extending over 6,593 km2.
Education
Imparting quality education and training in horticulture to the students to develop human resources to match the changing needs is the main objective of the university. The university offers courses in Horticulture at undergraduate level, B.Sc. in Horticulture and post-graduate level M.Sc.(Horticulture) and Ph.D (Horticulture).
Under-graduate Course in Horticulture:
B.Sc.:4 year programme in Horticulture
Post-graduate (M.Sc.) courses in Horticulture
Vegetable Science, Fruit Science, Post-harvest Technology, Floriculture and Landscape Architecture and Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants.
Ph.D. Programmes in Horticulture: (from 2010-11 onwards)
Vegetable Science, Fruit Science, Post-harvest Technology, Floriculture and Landscape Architecture and Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
In addition, the university is offering certificate courses of 3, 6, 9 and 12 months duration and diploma course of 2 years for the needy persons, rural youths, in-service officials and entrepreneurs.
ANDHRA PRADESH HORTICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, TADEPALLIGUDEM 
The Horticulture in the country, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, is rapidly transforming to an industry. Globalization of horticulture, food safety and environmental concerns envisage at not only increased production but also cost and quality competitiveness, long-duration storage, off-season production and processing qualities of the horticultural produce.
Andhra Pradesh has a strong base in Horticulture and is a leading producer of a variety of fruits, viz., mangoes, citrus fruits, grapes, bananas, cashew and pineapple; vegetables viz., tomatoes, onions, chillies etc. It ranks first in the production of mango, chillies, turmeric, sweet orange and papaya. It is estimated that the horticulture sector in Andhra Pradesh will account for 10-15 per cent of the states GDP and would provide livelihood to millions of farmers.
Recognizing the importance of horticulture and need for new technologies and manpower with reference to the changed scenario in horticulture and its growth potential in Andhra Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh Horticultural University was established by the Government of Andhra Pradesh through the G.O.Ms.No.134, dated 26 June 2007 (Act 30 of 2007). The university started functioning with effect from the academic year 2007-08, with headquarters at Venkataramannagudem, Tadepalligudem, West Godavari district A.P.The university runs on the Land Grant pattern followed in the USA, integrating Education, Research and Extension for the growth of Horticulture.
The APHU at present has four horticultural colleges, five polytechnics and 28 research stations, located in 9 agro-climatic zones of the state. The university offers B.Sc. (Hons.) Horticulture; M.Sc. (Horticulture) with specialization in (i) Fruit Science, (ii) Vegetable Science, (iii) Floriculture & Landscape Architecture, and (iv) Plantation, Spices & Medicinal Crops; and Ph.D. (Horticulture). The course curriculum prescribed by the IV Deans’ Committee of ICAR is being followed for the degree programme. Students besides course work, undergo Rural Horticultural Work Experience Programme and Hands-on training / experimental learning of 14 weeks duration each on specialized subjects, dealing with commercialization of horticulture in addition to rural training for the award of Batchelor’s degree. (i) protected cultivation of high-value crops (ii) post-harvest technology and value addition (iii) nursery production and management and (iv) floriculture and landscape gardening.
For the 2 year diploma programme in Horticultural Polytechnics, the students are trained in commercialisable and rural job-oriented technologies like production of genuine plants and seed material, tissue culture, bio-agents and bio-fertilizer production, vermicomposting, repair and maintenance of plant-protection equipment, disease and pest diagnosis, soil and plant analysis; grading, packaging and storage of fruits and vegetables; quality estimation in horticultural produce and e-extension.
The university is conducting basic, applied, location or region-specific and anticipatory research for the overall development of horticultural crops in the state at 28 research stations located in 9 agro-climatic regions of the state. The research programmes are covered under three categories viz., Non-Plan Projects/University Projects, ICAR Plan Projects under All India Coordinated Research projects, and State Horticulture Mission Projects. The university takes up collaborative research programmes with other organizations like ICAR institutes, State Horticultural Mission, and National Horticultural Board on important national problems of horticultural crops.
Education of rural youth in horticulture and allied areas is the main function of the horticultural extension. The extension activities include technology assessment and refinement, train master trainees and farmers; organize kisan melas, exhibitions, rythu sadassulu etc. Horticultural information centers have single-window delivery, disseminate information through electronic media, conduct on-farm research, demonstrate technologies in the farmer’s fields, and supply disease-free quality seeds and planting materials to the farmers.
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