eNewsletter Jan-March 2026

SRI KONDA LAXMAN TELANGANA HORTICULTURAL UNIVERSITY Mulugu (V & M), Siddipet District, Telangana-502279 e - Newsletter Volume: 6 Issue No: 1 January – March, 2026 From the Vice Chancellor’s Desk Vegetable cultivation is central to ensure nutritional security and farmer prosperity in Telangana. At present, the state has 1.12 lakh acres under vegetable crops, yielding 11.17 million metric tonnes annually. Against the present consumption of 250g per person per day without considering other allowances, the state needs 35.13 lakh metric tonnes, leaving a deficit of 23.9 lakh metric tonnes. When measured against the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) recommended intake of 400 g per person per day, the requirement rises to 41.61 lakh metric tonnes, with a deficit of 56.21 lakh metric tonnes. This shortfall forces dependence on inflows from neighbouring states and underscores the urgent need to expand vegetable area by at least 2.69 lakh acres to achieve self-sufficiency in consumption demand. Replacing atleast 2 per cent of paddy, lion share crop in Telangana with 1 crore 30 lakhs acres area, with vegetable cultivation in Telangana offers multiple benefits in terms of sustainability and farmer prosperity. Paddy is a water-intensive crop, consuming nearly 1,200–1,500mm of water per season, whereas vegetables require significantly less, thereby conserving precious groundwater and canal resources. This shift reduces methane emissions from flooded paddy fields, contributing to improved environmental health. Vegetables also provide quicker economic returns, as most crops mature within 60–90 days compared to the paddy, enabling farmers to generate income multiple times in a year. Telangana’s semi-arid climate, with its diverse soils ranging from red sandy loams to black cotton soils, is highly suitable for a wide range of vegetable crops such as tomato, brinjal, okra, and gourds. By adopting vegetable cultivation, farmers can achieve water saving, diversify their income sources and contribute to nutritional security aligning with the state’s agroclimatic strengths. Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University (SKLTGHU) is committed to provide the technical backstopping for vegetable area expansion. Through its research stations, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, and extension programmes, the University disseminates the knowledge of improved varieties, hybrid seeds, protected cultivation technologies, drip irrigation, fertigation, and integrated pest management practices. Training and capacity-building initiatives empower farmers to adopt modern cultivation systems, while coordination with state departments strengthen supply chains and market linkages. By aligning research, extension and policy support, SKLTHU strives to transform vegetable cultivation into a sustainable and remunerative enterprise. The University remains steadfast in its mission to bridge the production gap, empower farmers and meet the nutritional needs of Telangana’s citizens. In this Issue • Academics • Research • Extension • Workshops/ Conferences/ Seminars/ Guest Lectures • Visitors • Visits • Exhibitions • Other events • Training Programs Attended • Awards/Honours • Participation of Vice Chancellor as Chief Guest/Guest of Honour in Various Programs D. Raji Reddy Vice Chancellor1 January – March, 2026 SKLTGHU e-Newsletter Sports Meet – 2026 SKLTGHU conducted Vth Intercollegiate sports meet at PGIHS, held at PGIHS Mulugu on 16.03.2026 to 18.03.2026. Various sports, games and cultural events were organized. Students have actively participated during the entire programme. Academics NSS Volunteers of College of Horticulture, Rajendranagar has conducted disposal of Plastic Awareness Campaign Programme on 5.02.2026. Participation of students of College of Horticulture, Malyal in “Personality Development" program at ASCI, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad from 5th-7 th March, 2026. Students of College of Horticulture, Rajendranagar have participated in live telecast program Pariksha Pe Charcha with Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 6.02.2026. PG and Ph.D. students attended 5 days training programme on Microbial Techniques for Application in Horticultural Crops at Agri Biotech Foundation, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad from 23.03.2026 to 27.03.2026. Grape Festival SKLTGHU has conducted Grape Festival on 7.03.2026 at Grape Research Station, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. January – March, 2026 SKLTGHU e-Newsletter Research Chrysanthemum Day SKLTGHU has conducted Chrysanthemum Day on 02-01-2026 at Floriculture Research Station, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. Annual Group Meeting SKLTGHU has hosted 44th Annual Group Meeting of ICAR-AICRP on Vegetable Crops in collaboration with ICAR- Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasiand AICRP on Vegetable crops,VRS,Rajendranagar from 20th to 22nd February, 2026 at Vegetable Research Station, Rajendranagar Hyderabad. 2 University has organized Rytha Vignana Yathra under SC sub plan for the farmers to KVK, Baramathi, Maharastra from 28th to 30th March, 2026. Extension January – March, 2026 SKLTGHU e-Newsletter 3 Rythu Mela was conducted at Agricultural College, Aswaraopet on 9.1.2026. Sri N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, Irrigation & CAD Minister of Telangana, Sri Thummala Nageswara Rao, Minister of Agriculture, Government of Telangana and Dr. Janiah, Vice chancellor, PJTAU graced the occasion and Dr. D. Raji Reddy, Vice Chancellor, SKLTGHU participated. Five day training programme ’National Mission on Natural farming (NMNF)’ was conducted at Horticultural Research Station, Adilabad on 2nd February to 6th February, 2026. Forty Women farmers participated and trained on preparation of consortia in natural farming. Farmers from Krishna district visited HRS Aswaraopet on 16-03-2026. As apart of Rythu vignanyatra, farmers visited the Research Station and enlightened on best production and protection technologies. Dr. S. Mallesh addressed 150 farmers on “Vyavasaya Aavishkaranalu Mariyu Sahaja Vyavasayam Pramukhyata” programme organized by DHSO Adilabad on 26.03.2026 at Rythu Vedika Mavala.Dr. D. Anitha Kumari, Principal Scientist (Ento), attended National Conference on “Innovations in Plant Health Management for resilient agriculture and agri export promotion” on 26.02.2026 at NIPHM, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. Guest Lectures Organised January – March, 2026 SKLTGHU e-Newsletter Workshops/Conferences/Seminars/Guest Lectures Dr. Shehnaz participated as resource person and delivered lecture on bee keeping to the farmers under Rain fed Area Development Programme on 4.1.2026 Dr. G. Vijaya Krishna, Scientist (Hort.) HRS, Kondamallepally attended XIII Annual Group Discussion at GBPUAT from 09.02.2026 to 12.02.2026. Dr. R. Preetham Goud Associate Dean, COH, Malyal delivered a guest lecture on “Agrotechniques for higher Productivity in Vegetables” at Dornakal and Garlamandal on 25.02.2026 Dr. D. Nagaharshitha delivered a guest lecture on “Mamidiputha mariyu kaatha samayam lo theskovalsina jagrathalu” as part of 99 days action plan “PrajaPalana- Pragathi Pranalika” on 24.03.2026. Guest Lecture on Interaction and Importance of Mango diversity and Bamboo cultivation in Telangana and Importance of Chess by Dr. P. N. Rao, Team Lead, Telangana Development Forum & Chess Network and Dr. Sudheer, Director, Telangana Development Forum & Chess Network at PGIHS. 4January – March, 2026 SKLTGHU e-Newsletter Guest Lecture on Opportunities in Overseas and motivational Lecture by Dr. Mentreddy Srinivasa Rao, Professor, (AMMU), Alabama, USA. Guest Lecture on Challenges faced by farmers: solutions through new technologies by Dr. M. Parasuamaiah, DGM (Marketing), Dhanuka Agritech limited. Visitors Sri. K. Surendra Mohan, IAS, Telangana Agriculture Production and Commissioner, visited Horticultural Research Station, Aswaraopet stall at kisan mela organized at College of Agriculture Aswaraopet on 09.01.2026. Dr. S.D. Shikhamany,Former Vice-Chancellor, Dr.YSRHU visited Vegetable Research Station on 28.01.2026 Smt. Shaik Yashmin Basha, Director of Horticulture, Telangana and Sri. B. Chandrashaker Collector, Nalgonda visited HRS, Kondamallepally on 19.02.2026. Sri. K. Surendra Mohan, IAS, Telangana Agriculture Production and Commissioner Dr. D. Raji Reddy, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, SKLTGHU along with University officers, visited VRS field on 20th Feb, 2026. 5Visits Honorable Vice Chancellor, SKLTGHU, Dr. D. Raji Reddy, visited HRS, Kondamallepally on 19.02.2026. Small and Medium Category Remote Pilot at PJTAU Drone Academy, ARI, Rajendranagar attended by Dr. G. Sathish SKLTGHU displayed the exhibits in ‘Udyan Utsav’ conducted at Raj Bhavan from 4-01-2026 to 11- 01-2026 SKLTGHU displayed the exhibits in National Conference on “Transforming Rural Livelihood landscape in india: Empoweing Rural Communities through investing in People, Planet and Prosperity (3 Ps)” at NAARM, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad on 1.02.2026 and 20.02.2026 SKLTGHU displayed the exhibits in Vittanala Panduga Telangana 2nd annual seed festival at the earth centre, Ammapally (V), Kadthal (M), R.R. Dist. on 06.02.2026. SKLTGHU displayed the exhibits in ‘National Conference on Innovations in Plant Health Management for Resilient Agriculture and AgriExport Promotion’ 26th to 28th Feb., 2026 at NIPHM, Rajendranagar. January – March, 2026 SKLTGHU e-Newsletter 6 ExhibitionsFive training Programmes for vegetable farmers Jointly organized by SKLTGHU and Department of Horticulture, Govt. of Telangana on “Vegetable Cultivation for Vegetable Volunteers of PACS” on 17.03.2026, 18.03.2026, 24.03.2026, 25.03.2026 and 26.03.2026. Sri. K. Surendra Mohan, IAS, Agricultural Production Commissioner (APC); M. Kodanda Reddy, Chairman of the Telangana Agriculture Farmers Welfare Commission; Sk. Yasmeen Basha, IAS, Director of Horticulture and Sericulture; Sri. Anvesh Reddy, Chairman of the Telangana State Seed Development Corporation; and Dr. Shaik N. Meera, Director of ICAR–ATARI, graced the training programme with their presence. 26th to 28th Feb., 2026 at NIPHM, Rajendranagar Exhibition stall at “Rythu Utsavalu” in Narmetta (Vill.), Siddipet (Dist.) on 20.03.2026. Exhibition stall during Kisan Mela conducted on 09.01.2026 at Agriculture College, Aswaraopet. SKLTGHU displayed the exhibits at Mega Rythu Mela, PJTSAU Sports Complex, PJTSAU, Telangana from 8th & 9th March, 2026. Exhibition stall arranged by Horticultural Research Station, Adilabad in Kisan Mela at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Adilabad on 25.02.2026. Other Events January – March, 2026 SKLTGHU e-Newsletter 7January – March, 2026 Dr. BSK Nikhil, Scientist (GPBR) attended 5 days training programme on Production of Hybrid Seeds in Vegetables in Changing Climate Scenario on 19.01.2026 to 23.01.2026 at ICAR-IIVR, Varanasi Dr. J. Srinivas, Scientist (VSC) attended 5 days training programme on Developing Winning Research Proposal held during 19.01.2026 to 23.01.2026 at ICAR–NAARM, Hyderabad Dr. V. Suresh, Scientist (Pl.Path ) and Dr. J. Srinivas, Scientist (Veg.Sci.) Participated in 3 days National Training Programme on “Advanced Pest and Disease Diagnostics in Onion And Garlic: Handson Training cum Demonstration” under AINROPG from 16.03.2026 to 18.03.2026(online mode). ‘SCSP’ programme on Tuber crops on 28.03.2026 conducted by Vegetable Research Station, Rajendranagar. SC sub plan training program at Kondamallepally on 31.03.026 conducted by Vegetable Research Station, Rajendranagar Training Programs Attended 8 SKLTGHU e-NewsletterJanuary – March, 2026 SKLTGHU e-Newsletter Sri. A. Prashanth Kumar, Scientist (Plant Pathology) & Head, received “Best Scientist” award from Sri Adwaith Kumar, IAS, District Collector of Mahabubabad on event of Republic day on 26-01-2026. Dr. J. Shanakaraswamy, Asst. Prof. (Hort.) received Best Pitch-X Award-2026 conferred in Conference on Advanced Carbon Materials -CACM-2026 at BITS-Pilani, Hyderabad held from 18th-20th February, 2026 Jointly organized by Indian Carbon society, International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Material (ARCI). Best Oral Presentation award received by P. Mahesh, Ph.D (FLS) at National Conference on Floriculture and Landscaping @ 2047 Vikist Bharat Organized by KSNUAHS, Iruvakki, Shivamogga. Awards & Honours 9