The University was established by the Government of Andhra Pradesh through G.O.Ms.No.134 dated 26-06-2007 at Venkataramannagudem, near Tadepalligudem in West Godavari District. It is the second Horticultural University in the country. Andhra Pradesh being the leader in the production of mango, oil palm, chillies, turmeric, sweet orange, papaya and second largest producer of total fruits and spices richly deserves Horticultural University to increase the productivity, sustaining the productivity and commercialization of Horticulture in the State.
Started functioning w.e.f 26th June 2007, the university was managed by the Agricultural Production Commissioner and Principal Secretary to the Government, ATM as the Special Officer supported by an Officer on Special Duty and Coordinator drawn from the Achrya NG Ranga Agricultural University. Three new Colleges of Horticulture, one each at Venkataramannagudem in West Godavari District, Mojerla in Mahaboobnagar District and Anantharajupet in Kadapa District were started in the 2007-08 academic year. The UG and PG educational programmes being offered at Rajendranagar, Hyderabad under Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University were also brought into the fold of Andhra Pradesh Horticultural University from 2007-08 academic year onwards.
The Board of Management of the university was constituted on 16th February, 2008 and the first Vice-Chancellor was appointed on 26-02-2008. Consequently, all Research Stations dealing with Horticultural Research were also brought into the administrative fold of Dr.YSR Horticultural University with effect from 01-04-2008. The Dr.Y.S.R Horticultural University started functioning independently from 10-05-2008 at its headquarters at Venkataramannagudem.
The University runs on the Land Grant pattern followed in the USA, with emphasis on Education, Research and Extension of Horticulture. Therefore, the mandate of the University is –
Human Resource Development through education
Conduct need based research
Dissemination of the proven technologies developed through research
Manpower and technology development through education and research has to be in accordance with the present day need; both qualitatively and quantitatively. Present day demand influenced by the development in the recent past such as nutritional security, food safety, environment safety, commercialization and globalization of horticulture and avoiding huge post-harvest losses have to be met through manpower and technology development. Accordingly, the course curriculum for graduate and post-graduate courses have been developed. The course contents and the courses have been formulated with slight modifications in the IV Deans Committee recommendations of ICAR within the permissible limits to suit the specific needs of Andhra Pradesh Horticulture. Hands on training in commercialisable technologies in Horticulture has been designed for two batches 14 weeks each, in the VII and VIII semesters of the B.Sc. (Hons.) in Horticulture.
Ongoing research programmes at all Research Stations have been reoriented into eight thrust areas identified based on the present day need. All India Coordinated Research projects are also operating at different research stations of the university. Funds for research are provided by the State Government and also by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The ICAR provides 75 per cent of funds for conducting research under various All India Coordinated Research Projects.
Thrust Areas of Research
1. Increasing Productivity.
2. Sustaining productivity under biotic and abiotic stresses.
3. Improving nutritive value and food safety.
4. Environment Protection.
5. Increasing Profitability to farmers.
6. Export Promotion.
7. Minimization of post harvest losses.
8. Processing and value addition.
Krishi Vigyan Kendras functioning under this University are providing frontline Extension Services through technology assessment & refinement, frontline demonstrations, vocational trainings and other extension activities to cater to the growing needs of the farmers.
The University scientists are involved in popularizing the proven technologies and improved varieties developed through various extension activities, namely; All India Radio, print and visual media, participation in exhibitions, Krishi Melas, Rythu Chaitanya Yatra, Raithu Sadassulu and Rythu Training Programmes.
The Dr.Y.S.R.Horticultural University is committed to develop the need based manpower and technologies to resolve the problems confronting Horticulture and enable the horticultural farmers in Andhra Pradesh to make horticulture as the most remunerative enterprise. Consequently, the state of Andhra Pradesh shall be the leader in Horticulture by fulfilling the ambition of the Government of Andhra Pradesh in establishing this University. Dr.Y.S.R. Horticultural University presently is having 4 Horticultural Colleges , 4 Affiliated Colleges, 4 Horticulture Polytechnics, 7 Affiliated Horticultural Polytechnic Colleges , 19 Research Stations and 4 Krishi Vigyan Kendras, total 42 institutions in Andhra Pradesh.
