Mulugu (Siddipet District), August 19, 2025:
The Telangana Government is committed to strengthening horticultural processing and marketing facilities in order to benefit farmers and promote entrepreneurship, said Sri Tummala Nageswara Rao, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture, Marketing, Cooperation, Handlooms & Textiles.
The Minister inaugurated a Central Dining Hall at Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University in Mulugu, Siddipet District, on Tuesday. He was accompanied by Sri M. Kodanda Reddy, Chairman, Telangana State Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Commission.
The event was graced by Smt. K. Hymavathi, IAS, District Collector, Siddipet; Sri M. Raghunandan Rao, IAS, Agriculture Production Commissioner; Smt. Bhavani Reddy, Board Member, Telangana State Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Commission; and Dr. D. Raji Reddy, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of the University.
“Horticulture can be Telangana’s economic strength”
Addressing a gathering of students and scientists, Minister Tummala highlighted the vast potential of horticulture in strengthening the State’s economy. He urged the University to focus on advanced and need-based research to achieve self-sufficiency in horticultural produce and reduce dependency on supplies from other states.
“The government is actively taking steps to expand processing units and marketing facilities in the horticulture sector. This will not only enhance farmers’ income but also create scope for entrepreneurship and agro-industries,” the Minister said.
Calling upon students to gain hands-on exposure, he advised them to regularly visit farmers’ fields instead of restricting themselves to classroom learning. “Strong subject knowledge comes only when students actively engage with farming practices. Horticulture graduates have diverse career opportunities in government, private, and allied sectors, and they should not confine themselves to limited career paths,” he added.
Senior officials stress practical exposure
Earlier, Dr. D. Raji Reddy, Vice Chancellor, welcomed the dignitaries and assured that the University is committed to research and student development.
Smt. K. Hymavathi, District Collector, stressed that students’ research must be translated into field-level practices so that farmers can benefit directly.
Echoing the same, Sri M. Raghunandan Rao, Agriculture Production Commissioner, said, “With many private agro-based industries turning towards horticulture, students must develop diverse skill sets and seize emerging opportunities.”
Sri M. Kodanda Reddy, Chairman of the State Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Commission, underlined the importance of farmer-student interaction. “Students should spend more time with farmers, provide them with technical guidance, and also learn traditional practices from them. Strengthening the horticulture sector is not just vital for Telangana but also for the national economy,” he remarked.
The inauguration program concluded with dignitaries interacting with faculty members, students, and farmers, while reiterating the government’s commitment to make Telangana a hub for horticultural research, entrepreneurship, and value-added production.
