Hyderabad: Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University (PJTAU) on Thursday launched an initiative to take agricultural research and innovations directly to farmers, with agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao calling for faster transfer of scientific knowledge to the field amid growing climate challenges.Launching the ‘Innovation to Impact’ programme at the university auditorium in Rajendranagar, Tummala said the initiative was timely given the prevailing weather conditions. He called for wider implementation of the Centre’s Khet Bachao Abhiyan alongside efforts to improve soil health and reduce excessive urea use.Warning of the challenges posed by El Nino, the minister said drinking water could also become scarce in the coming months. He advised farmers to exercise caution while planning cultivation and opt for short-duration crops wherever possible, depending on water availability. Farmers and officials should collectively prepare to address the impact of changing weather conditions, he said.Tummala said the state govt was extending support to agriculture through initiatives such as farm loan waivers and Rythu Bharosa. He also expressed confidence that agriculture would attract more young people, including software professionals, in the coming years.The minister appreciated the university’s progress under vice-chancellor Aldas Janaiah and said the govt would positively consider requests for filling teaching vacancies and increasing stipends for postgraduate and PhD students.Janaiah said the university had introduced reforms over the past two years, including increasing seats, reducing fees, opening new colleges and introducing courses. 15% of seats had been earmarked for children of agricultural labourers, he said.Through its ‘Scientists at Farmers’ Doorstep’ programme, university scientists had directly reached around 3.2 lakh farmers, he said. The new initiative would help extend research findings and technologies to a greater number of farmers, with implementation planned over the next two years.Agricultural experts also urged farmers to consider crop diversification, with greater emphasis on millets, pulses and oilseeds in view of emerging weather and water challenges.
