Hyderabad: Agriculture Minister Singireddy Niranjan Reddy today inaugurated Seed Mela-2019 at the Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU) Auditorium in Rajendranagar.
The PJTSAU has jointly organized the Seed Mela in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture and local ICAR Research Institutes such as Indian Institute of Millet Research (IIMR), Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR), Indian Institute of Oil Seed Research (IIOR), Central Research Institute for Dry Land Agriculture (CRIDA), ATARI, NAARM, directorate of Poultry, National Seeds Corporation(NSC), Telangana State Seed Development Corporation(TSSDC), Telangana State Seed and Organic Certification Agency (TSSOCA) and Veterinary and Horticultural Universities. The Vice Chancellor PJTSAU Dr. V Praveen Rao gave the overview of the Seed Mela -2019 and he explained the efforts made to supply of quality seed to the farmers. Dr Rao Said that, university is planning to release 8 new varieties in Rice, Pulses, Maize crops in next month. He also says, this year a dedicated stall has been arranged to explain about the new technologies to the farmers. He tendered his thanks to the farmers who are continuously encouraging the university scientists and adopted the newer technologies and new varieties. He added that for the benefit of the farmers simultaneously seed melas were organized at Regional Agricultural Research Stations (RARS) at Jagitial, Warangal and Palem in Nagarkurnool District.
Speaking on the occasion, Niranjan Reddy said from next year seed melas will be organized in all the district headquarters to supply quality seed to the farmers. The long-term initiatives taken by Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao have brought tremendous revolutionary changes in the agricultural sector in the State, he said, adding that several States were implementing similar schemes in their respective States.
The minister also announced that the loan waiver scheme would be implemented once the election code was over. He said the government was firm to strengthen the agricultural sector, which was providing large scale employment to the population. The initiatives will be continued in the agriculture sector to ensure agriculture more profitable to the farmers in the State, he said. A large number of farmers attended the Seed Mela and purchased seed.
Agriculture Commissioner Rahul Bojja, Director of Research PJTSAU and directors of the local ICAR research institutes Dr Vishnuvardhan Reddy, Dr SR Oleti, Dr Vilas A. Tonapi, Dr Ravindrachary, Dr Prasad, Director Seeds, Dr Pradeep, Director, TSSOCA, Dr Keshavulu, and several others participated.
PJTSAU VC’s term extended
The Agricultural Minister also announced that the term of Vice Chancellor Dr V Praveen Rao has been extended by the State government for another three years by recognizing his services and efforts put in the agriculture in the last few years. Normally extension of the term was given to any officer after completion of his present term, but in the case of Vice Chancellor Dr Praveen Rao, the CM has recognized the importance to continue the initiatives in the university under the leadership of the VC as well his services are also very much required to the agriculture department, he said. (NSS)
