– V. Geethalakshmi, Vice Chancellor, TNAU.
Theme-based research with multidisciplinary approach will be undertaken by the University soon to address the yield-barrier issue which has been prevailing in the last 10-15 years, said Professor V. Geethalakshmi, the 14th Vice Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Agriculture University (TNAU).
She shared this while addressing the press after assuming office here in TNAU, Coimbatore. It must be mentioned that Prof.Geethalakshmi is the first woman to be appointed VC of TNAU.
The VC said that to promote and increase efficient usage of water, fertilizers, etc., by farmers, plans will be made to bring in nanotech, drone support, AI, Automation and Robotics and blend it with traditional concepts, and pave for food security.
Talking about academics, she said flexibility will be given to the students, and entrepreneurship will be promoted. For this, Industry-Academia partnership will be made, and students will get the chance to collaborate with industry sector and gain experience.
She added that many students will have the desire to pursue higher education abroad, get into research and govt sector. University is taking measures to help the students prepare to step into their chosen future plans.
News ideas in agricultural research from anyone at the varsity will be welcomed, it will be researched by the University, and that will eventually be applied to improve the livelihood of farmers, she said.
Academically, plans to ink MoUs with nationally reputed institutions IITs, IIMs, IIScs and also with internationally reputed institutions is likely, and attaining breakthroughs in Science is a major focus of her.
Regarding the challenges in agriculture in general she said that far as TN is concerned, there are many challenges. Among them is Extreme Weather Events. They are on the rise now. Their intensity and frequency is high.
For the water needed for agriculture, we still have to depend on neighboring States. The quantity of water we would get is also a challenge.
Our soil’s organic carbon content is low due to increased use of chemical fertilizers and omitting bio-wastes. She said the State and TNAU are focused on addressing all these issues.
Importance to Millets
Prof.Geethalakshmi shared that TNAU has a Centre of Excellence for Millet in Thiruvannamalai, and the varsity has discovered new varieties of millets and also the ways to make them give higher yield. She told that the varsity is conveying to farmers about the ways to make value-added products out of millets.
Also, she shared that this year there are many plans and programs for farmers, from TNAU. She said that in May 2022, the varsity is planning to hold a Farmer’s Fest. Farmers across Tamil Nadu will be invited, and lot of awareness programs will be held for them. Since 2022-23 is the International Year of Millets, it will be given importance at this event.