Overview
The Tamil Nadu Horticulture University is a proposed and developing public university in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, intended to serve as a dedicated centre for higher education, research and extension in the field of horticulture. It is envisaged to consolidate horticultural education in the state, which has historically been delivered through colleges affiliated to the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) at Coimbatore.
Key facts
| Name | Tamil Nadu Horticulture University |
|---|---|
| Type | Public state university |
| Discipline | Horticulture and allied sciences |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Country | India |
| Parent system | Government of Tamil Nadu |
Background
Tamil Nadu is among India's leading states for the production of fruits, vegetables, spices, plantation crops and flowers, with significant cultivation of bananas, mangoes, coconut, turmeric, tea, coffee and cut flowers. Horticultural education in the state has long been offered through the Horticultural College and Research Institute at Coimbatore and other constituent colleges of TNAU, located at places such as Periyakulam and Tiruchirappalli.
Recognising the economic importance of horticulture and the need for focused academic attention, proposals have been made for a separate horticultural university in Tamil Nadu, in line with the model of states such as Karnataka (which established the University of Horticultural Sciences at Bagalkot) and Telangana (Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University).
Academic scope
An institution of this kind is generally expected to offer programmes including:
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Horticulture
- Master's programmes in pomology, olericulture, floriculture and landscaping, plantation crops, spices and medicinal plants, and post-harvest technology
- Doctoral research in horticultural sciences
- Diploma and certificate courses for farmers, extension officers and agripreneurs
Research and extension
Activities associated with horticultural universities typically include varietal improvement, protected cultivation, micro-irrigation, organic horticulture, post-harvest management, value addition and market linkages. Extension wings work with the state Department of Horticulture and Plantation Crops to disseminate technologies to farmers through Krishi Vigyan Kendras and field demonstrations.
Significance
A dedicated horticulture university is expected to strengthen the state's capacity in high-value agriculture, support export-oriented production of fruits, vegetables and spices, and provide trained human resources for the horticultural industry, food processing sector and rural entrepreneurship.
Related topics
- Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
- Horticulture in India
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research
- Agricultural universities in India
- Department of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu
References
- Wikidata entry: Q7681286