Principal Message

Principal's Message

Dr. S. Kumar, Principal

Teaching

• During 36 years of professional experience, offered 40 courses in Horticulture to UG and PG students of AC & RI Madurai, HC & RI Periyakulam, and Coimbatore.
• Guided eight postgraduate students, with their research published in national and international journals. Mentored two doctoral students.
• Served as a member of the Board of Studies in Horticulture (2015-2018) and as an External Expert for various agricultural universities.

Research

• Developed and released high-yielding varieties: PKM1 Tamarind (1992), CO 7 Papaya (1997), and CO 3 Sapota (2000).
• Developed six improved horticultural technologies adopted by the farming community.
• Published 17 international research articles, 11 national journal articles, 71 popular articles, and authored 2 books with ISBN.

Extension

• Organized 1130 training sessions for 51,792 farmers, NGOs, and rural youth at KVK, Madurai.
• Promoted precision farming, increasing vegetable crop areas and farmers' incomes.
• Developed entrepreneurship modules recognized by the State and Central Government.

Institutional Development

• Led a Venture Capital Scheme, generating Rs. 31.80 lakhs for infrastructure development at AC & RI, Madurai.
• Played a key role in establishing new college infrastructure at HC & RI, Periyakulam.
• Secured Rs. 350.13 lakhs under various schemes for technology adoption at KVK, Madurai.

Membership in Professional Bodies

International

• International Society for Horticultural Sciences
• Asia-Pacific Chemical, Biological & Environmental Engineering Society

National

• Member of the Comprehensive Wasteland Development Agency, Madurai
• Member of various regional and technical committees in Tamil Nadu

Academic Awards / Medals

• Crop Research Award in Horticulture (Haryana, 2004)
• Best Research Article Award (TNAU, Coimbatore, 2006)
• Shri B.R. Barwale Award for Best Thesis in Vegetable Crop Research (2009)

• RVSPCH, Sempatti.