Acharya NG Ranga Agriculture University Releases 22 Improved Crop Varieties in 2020

Dr. A Vishnuvardhan Reddy, who will complete one year as vice-chancellor of Acharya NG Ranga Agriculture University (ANGRAU), has managed to bring about a sea of changes in academics and research, as well as greatly improved the varsity's infrastructure. The varsity also a jump from 31^st  to 13^th position among the 74 agriculture universities in the country.

As of now, under his strong leadership, ANGRAU has actually released 455 crop varieties or hybrids in cereals or millets (which cover 95% of the State), pulses (which cover 60% of the State), oilseeds (which cover 50% of the State), commercial crops, and others, all of which are being fostered in multiple parts of the nation. 

During the year 2020, the university has developed 22 enhanced varieties of several field crops. At the state level, twelve enhanced varieties including 4 of rice, 3 of pulses, 2 of sugarcane, 2 of foxtail millet, and 1 of finger millet were released.  

Similarly, at the national level, 10 enhanced crop varieties were issued namely 3 of rice, 2 of pulses, 2 of groundnut, 1 of finger millet, 1 of horse gram and 1 of tobacco were released. Two patents have been granted to it. 

Seed is the most essential agricultural input. In 2020-21, the University produced a total of 43,064 quintal of breeder and foundation seed, totaling 21,021 quintal. Farmers were also given access to the seed. In comparison to the seed given to farmers in 2019-2020, this year witnessed a two-and-a-half-fold increase, with a total of 16,000 quintals delivered. For the years 2021-22, a target of 1 lakh quintal of seed has been set. 

He also helped create SOPs for drone spraying pesticides and micronutrients in agriculture for nine main crops, including rice, cotton, maize, black gram, red gram, bengal gram, groundnut, sorghum, and sugarcane. Online courses for UG/PG and Ph.D students were held during the epidemic. With the help of distinguished professors, guest talks were planned.