Latest news with #TelanganaAgriculturalUniversity
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
The virtues of the tomato, a healthy vegetable
The evolution and growth of the humble tomato as an essential ingredient of our daily diet across the world is a fascinating story. Yolanda Evans writes in the June 5, 2025, issue of National Geographic magazine about the rise in tomatoes with myth and folklore and how tomatoes weren't always a beloved ingredient. Once deemed sinful, stinky, and 'poison apples', they were linked to superstition and illness, in part due to their reaction with lead in copper-based dinnerware. The use of a more appropriate vessel by farmers from Salem, New Jersey, to cook tomatoes shifted public opinion in the US. Tomatoes were not native to India but brought to us by the Portuguese traders in the 15th century. They were then adopted by the British colonisers in the 16th century who started growing them across the country and added them to their menu. But the people were still wary of it. As the independent journalist Ms. Sohel Sarkar has written, in 1938 the physician Dr Tara Chitale and her colleagues tried to convince people about the benefits of using tomatoes to cure common cold, scurvy, and iron deficiency, but the response was lukewarm. The change finally transpired when more and more inputs came from travellers who recommended tomatoes in our diet, and experts from the National Institute of Nutrition in India pointed out the importance of vitamins and minerals in our daily diet and how tomatoes are rich in them. Health benefits Plant biologists classify tomato as a fruit. The benefits that tomatoes offer to our daily health have been described among others by the dietitian and public health specialist Ms. Cynthia Saas of California. Let us highlight some of these. Tomatoes are rich sources of antioxidants that offer health benefits for the heart and brain. They have nutrients that reduce the risk factor for heart disease significantly. Increased tomato intake decreases high blood pressure, a noteworthy point for senior citizens. The cellulose fibre content in tomatoes helps to prevent constipation. The red carotenoid pigment called lycopene in tomatoes might help protect people above 70 years of age from Alzheimer's disease. Ms. Saas has warned that before cooking tomatoes, one must ensure they are thoroughly washed and free of any dust-borne germs. Tomatoes are grown in farmlands all over India, numbering between 5,000 and 10,000 plants per acre. According to one estimate from the Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University, India produced 210 lakh tonnes in the year 2022-2023, second only to China (680 lakh tonnes). The Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, has been researching a variety of tomato plants. One, called 'Arka Rakshak', is a disease-resistant hybrid while another, 'Arka Shreshta', has a long shelf-life, making it easier to transport. The top seven tomato cultivating States are Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Karnataka, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu. The average whole-sale price is estimated to be about Rs 1,700 per quintal. Today, just about every house in the country uses tomatoes in their daily diet. A typical Indian dish these days invariably has some tomatoes in it, be it as a soup, added to a vegetable curry, chutney, added to rice or wheat as a 'rasam', and as ketchup for sandwiches and pizzas. Having tasted the tomato and learnt that it is not sinful but in fact has several health benefits, let us enjoy this vegetable.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Banakacherla river row: CM Revanth Reddy on 2-day Delhi visit; to seek aid for Telangana project approvals
HYDERABAD: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy will leave for New Delhi on Monday on a two-day visit. He will be meeting Union ministers to seek approval for key projects as well as release of central funds for them. Before leaving for the national capital, the CM is expected to launch the Vana Mahotsav programme by planting saplings at Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University campus in Rajendranagar in the morning. During his stay in the national capital, he, along with officials, is expected to urge the Union ministers to expedite approvals for the Hyderabad Metro rail phase-II project, the detailed project report (DPR) of which was submitted to the Centre. Sources said the chief minister's office (CMO) has sought appointments with over half-a-dozen Union ministers on Monday and Tuesday. Revanth to discuss Banakacherla issue by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Depending on their availability, Revanth would meet them to discuss issues related to Banakacherla and other irrigation projects being undertaken by Andhra Pradesh, which are detrimental to Telangana's river water share. The CM is likely to meet Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari, seeking approval and funding for the southern corridor of the Regional Ring Road (RRR) project, and cabinet approvals for both the northern and southern corridors of the project. The Congress govt in the state has already declared the area between the Outer Ring Road (ORR) and the proposed RRR as Telangana's semi-urban area, where industrial clusters would be set up. Revanth would also address the issue of the Musi rejuvenation project, industrial and defence corridors, and fertiliser supply, and seek forest and environmental clearances for various projects. The CM, along with minister D Sridhar Babu and PonnamPrabhakar, was supposed to meet Union home minister Amit Shah during his visit to Telangana recently. However, Shah, due to his busy schedule, did not meet even his party leaders who had planned a programme at the Begumpet airport. Revanth is also set to invite AICC leader Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi for the public meetings to be organised in Telangana. In May, Revanth had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital and urged him to approve a dedicated channel for Telangana to attract global investments and boost exports. He also requested the issuance of a notification for the Hyderabad-Bengaluru defence corridor, support for defence and aerospace projects, approval to include Telangana in India's Semiconductor Mission, and the Union cabinet's approval and funding for Hyderabad Metro rail expansion, RRR, and the dry port greenfield corridor with dedicated railway lines around it. He met the Prime Minister immediately after the NITI Aayog meeting.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Digitising farming: Telangana to launch India's first agri-robotics lab at PJTAU today
HYDERABAD: In a first for the country, Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University (PJTAU) is set to launch the Agri Robotics IoT Solutions for Agriculture (ARISA) Lab on Saturday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Supported by BITS Pilani and IIT Hyderabad, the initiative marks a major step toward digitising agriculture in Telangana. The university aims to unveil its first robotic model within a year - designed specifically to assist in weeding and harvesting tasks. University officials highlighted a growing concern: The average age of farmers in the state is now around 60, and the younger generation is showing less interest in agriculture. With the prospect of a labour shortage looming, there's an urgent need to make farming more efficient and less labour-intensive. The ARISA Lab will focus not only on robotics but also on Internet of Things (IoT) innovations, pesticide control, and weed management technologies. Speaking about the initiative, vice-chancellor Aldas Janaiah said, "In the coming years, fewer people may be willing to work in agriculture, so we must develop advanced tools. The robotics lab will function under our newly established Centre for Digital Agriculture. The State Bank of India has sanctioned ₹12 crore for this initiative. We plan to roll out a customised robot model within a year that can handle weeding and harvesting. " He said the long-term vision is to digitally transform agriculture in Telangana by 2047. Apart from the ARISA Lab, the centre will house three other advanced labs aimed at developing AI-based solutions to tackle key agricultural challenges. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now One such unit is a drone lab, working in partnership with the Telangana Drone Academy to train farmers in drone operations. A third lab has started piloting digital solutions in Vemulawada. According to officials, smart soil sensors deployed there can generate instant reports on soil nutrient levels - functioning like an ATM dispensing data. "Understanding soil nutrition is crucial for choosing the right cropping patterns and ensuring better yields," an official explained. The same lab is also developing sensor-based systems for pesticide and water management, with alerts that can warn farmers of pest threats in advance. Technical and financial backing for this effort is being provided by Germany.
Hans India
03-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
PJTSAU's seed distribution prog begins
Hyderabad: On the occasion of the 12th State Formation Day, Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University (PJTAU) has launched the 'Quality Seeds to Every Village' programme across the state. The programme was launched on Monday in the presence of Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, who distributed quality seed kits to 10 selected farmers in the Bhadradri Kothagudem district during the State Formation Day celebrations. Similarly, in Ranga Reddy district, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Aldas Janaiah, along with Chief Minister's Advisor Vem Narender Reddy, MLA Malreddy Rangareddy, and District Collector Narayana Reddy distributed quality seed kits to 10 progressive farmers during the State Formation Day celebrations. In various districts across the state, ministers, public representatives, Government whips, corporation chairmen and district collectors participated as chief guests in the State Formation Day celebrations and distributed seed kits to around 300 progressive farmers. The university planned to distribute quality seeds to about 40,000 progressive farmers in approximately 11,000 villages, through the 'Quality Seeds to Every Village' programme. On the occasion of State Formation Day, around 300 farmers received seeds in various districts. The remaining selected farmers will receive seed kits on June 3 through local Rythu Vedika platforms in the presence of public representatives, agricultural extension officers, agricultural officers, and university officials.
Hans India
26-05-2025
- Science
- Hans India
‘Scientists at Farmers Doorstep' initiative receiving unprecedented response: PJTAU V-C
Hyderabad: The innovative programme 'Scientists at the Farmers Doorstep', organised by Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University (PJTAU) in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, is progressing smoothly and successfully across the state. The programme was launched on May 5 in Dharur village of Vikarabad district, by Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar, Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, Chairman of the Farmers Welfare Commission M Kodanda Reddy, and PJTAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Aldas Janaiah. As of date, the programme has been conducted in 600 villages, with around 31,000 men and 6,000 women participating. Scientists and agricultural students have interacted face-to-face with a total of 37,000 farmers. The programme witnessed participation from various dignitaries, including Nagar Kurnool MP Dr Mallu Ravi, State Planning Commission Vice-Chairman Dr G. Chinna Reddy, members of the Farmer Welfare Commission, MLCs, around 25 MLAs, and other public representatives. Scientists and agricultural students, along with university officials, are actively participating in the programme, which will continue till June 13. The programme focuses on six key aspects: Reducing urea usage to minimise cultivation costs; Using chemicals judiciously to preserve soil health; Maintaining receipts for input purchases; Conservation of irrigation water; Adopting crop rotation for sustainable income and planting trees to protect the environment. Scientists are also addressing farmers' queries and doubts during the programme. Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor, Aldas Janaiah, conducted a high-level review of the 'Scientists at the Farmers Doorstep' programme, which has been completed in three weeks. During the review, the Vice-Chancellor mentioned that the programme has received a positive response from the farming community. Janaiah clarified that farmers are not dissatisfied with the government's initiatives and current agricultural situation. However, farmers are concerned about changing climate conditions and unseasonal rains. He added that farmers are seeking government support for certain agricultural aspects. Specifically, farmers are requesting the Telangana government to introduce crop insurance to mitigate losses due to adverse climate conditions. They also want small and marginal farmers to be provided with modern agricultural tools and green manure seeds at subsidised rates. Additionally, farmers are seeking extensive soil testing. The Vice-Chancellor appealed to farmers, women, farmer groups, school students, and teachers to participate in the programme and make it a social movement. He encouraged everyone to come forward and take the programme to the next level, fostering a sense of community and cooperation.
