AP Governor lauds rapid rise in horticulture production, output

VIJAYAWADA: India is emerging as an economic superpower and as the food basket of the world and to sustain the ever-expanding population, agriculture and horticulture production will be a major challenge Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer said on Friday.

Presiding over the fifth edition of the Dr YSR Horticultural University’s convocation, the governor said horticulture production had surpassed agricultural production and contributed nearly six per cent to the nation’s GDP. The horticulture sector was generating 14 per cent of employment, of which women formed 42 per cent of the workforce.

The Governor said Andhra Pradesh has seen tremendous growth in the horticulture sector in the past few decades, adding that production levels have reached 312.34 lakh metric tonnes, up from 17.84 lakh hectares. The state was ranked second in terms of horticultural production, the Governor said.

He appreciated the University for major strides in frontier technologies such as designing and use of robotics, drones, sensor technology, and prediction of models of pests for increased input use efficiency in horticulture.

The Governor presented best faculty awards to the teachers and awards and gold medals to students who received their degrees.

Earlier, prof. Ramesh Chand, a Niti Aayog member delivered the keynote address and university vice-chancellor Dr T. Janakiram felicitated the Governor.