Dr. Praveen Rao Velchala
Dr. Praveen Rao Velchala is the First Vice Chancellor of Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, since April, 2016 and is currently serving a second term. He is regarded as a prominent contributor to micro-irrigation scenario in India by conceiving, formulating and implementing the world’s largest micro irrigation project covering over 1.0 million ha under Agri-horticultural crops in the Southern States of Telangana & Andhra Pradesh. A strong believer in digital technology outreach to end users, his work in agro knowledge management contributed to developing digital knowledge material on 142 drip irrigated agri-horticultural crops that helped in creating new capabilities, decision criteria for diffusion and adoption, and enhanced stakeholder value. A dedicated academician, he has to his credit over 164 research papers in peer reviewed national & international Journals. Mentoring budding agronomists is a favorite past time and he stands as an inspiration to many of his students who worked for their masters and doctoral programs. His professional commitment has won him several accolades including7th MS Swamianthan Award of the RICAREA (2020), Leader with strategic vision bestowed by Agribusiness summit and Agri Awards 2019, Best Vice Chancellor 2018 by AIASA and IAUA, He is an active member of several international professional bodies viz., ASA, SSSA, CSSA, ASABE, ISHS etc and several technical and policy making think tanks related to agriculture and rural development in ICAR and Telangana State. Several Educational, Research and Extension reforms and Inter-institutional collaborations initiated by Dr. Rao as VC enabled the PJTSAU achieve top Rank in 2018 among SAUs in India within a short span of 4-years.