Dr. P. IRENE VETHAMONI 63844 40133
deandsca@tnau.ac.in
Education
Served as Faculty Dean (Horticulture) and Technical Dean (Horticulture) for three years and Assistant professor, Associate professor and professor as overall period of 36 years and four months
Handled more than 30 UG courses and10 M.Sc. courses 14 Ph.D. courses 6 part time Ph.D. courses and 8 Diploma in Horticulture courses.
Guided 25 M.Sc. students 8 Ph.D. students and 13 UG projects as Chairman
Twelve books on horticulture subjects were written in Tamil for students of B.Sc. (Hons) Horticulture Tamil Medium, Horticulture officers and farmers benefits
Sixteen course materials relevant to B.Sc. (Hons) Horticulture were translated into Tamil language and sent to Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services Corporation for publication
Obtained accreditation for Horticultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore and B.Sc. (Hons) Horticulture degree programme
Obtained accreditation for four M.Sc. degree programmes viz., M.Sc. (Hort.) in Fruit Science, M.Sc. (Hort.) in Vegetable Science, M.Sc. (Hort.) in Spices, Plantation and Medicinal Aromatic Crops, M.Sc. (Hort.) in Floriculture and Landscape Architecture and four Ph.D. programmes viz., Ph.D. (Hort.) in Fruit Science, Ph.D. (Hort.) in Vegetable Science, Ph.D. (Hort.) in Spices, Plantation and Medicinal Aromatic Crops, Ph.D. (Hort.) in Floriculture and Landscape Architecture
As Chairman of Board of Studies in Horticulture Syllabus for B.Tech. (Hort.) degree programme was revised for restart of the degree programme which was withheld during 2017
All the class rooms of UG Education were elevated with smart class room facilities
Physically challenged students were given training with horticulture therapy techniques to make them as entrepreneurs
Infrastructure facilities viz., class rooms, open class room, Practical class room yoga halls, fencing of research stations and bath room facilities were created
Created Wifi facilities in the college for facilitating students of UG and PG education and research
Facilitated students receiving scholarships viz., Pudhumaipen, Tamilpudhalvzhan and private sector scholarships, Fellowship, Education loan for their education and research
Six undergraduate students were sent to foreign universities at Netherland and Malaysia to undergo their degree programme for one semester through Institutional Development Programme (IDP).
Six undergraduate students were sent to Dalhousie University, Canada for undergoing dual degree programme
Formulated MOOC course modules for Hydroponics offered byDirectorate of Open and Distance Learning, TNAU,CBE
Served as Accreditation committee member for Rani Laxmi Bai Central Agriculture University, Jhansi, and Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.
Served as expert committee member of the selection committee of BCKV West Bengal and Central University of Tamil Nadu, Tiruvarur for career advancement scheme of teaching staff and National Research Centre for Banana Trichy for non teaching staff.
Instrumental in starting of two departments viz Floriculture and landscape Architecture and Plantation, Spices and Medicinal Crops at HC & RI, TNAU, Periyakulam
Started Msc. (Hort) in Post harvest management degree programme at HC & RI TNAU, Coimbatore
Twenty five numbers of B.Sc (Hons) Horticulture students were nominated and given drone pilot training
Served as Standing Committee Chairman of three affiliated colleges of TNAU viz Jeya Agricultural college, Don Bosco College of Agriculture and Adhiyaman Agricultural College
As Recognition Committee Member of TNAU, involved in fees fixation and Study India Programme for finalizing intake of foreign students to undergo UG and PG degree programmes at TNAU
Modules of Open and distance learning courses viz Diploma in Protected Cultivation Technology, Nursery Management in Protected Cultivation and Water and Nutrient management in Protected Cultivation were developed
International guest lecturers were organized by advocating Adjunct Faculties and National guest lecturers from other Institutes and Private sectors to students
Training viz Dry flower arrangement, Production of Aloevera products were organised for students through “ Professor of practice”
All National programmes were organised to students to develop their patriotism.
Skill development courses viz Hydrophonics , Dry flower arrangement and Personality Development were organized to UG students
Facilitated B.Sc. (Hons) Horticulture students to start THE PLANTSMAN SOCIETY to become entrepreneurs
Research
Specialised in breeding of horticultural crops viz., fruits, vegetables, spices and plantation crops, flower crops and medicinal and aromatic crops and Hi-Tech cultivation of horticultural crops.
Training was given to horticulture officials of all districts of Tamil Nadu on hybrid seed production of bhendi and tomato
Handled 12 externally funded projects and 26 university research projects and 17 AICRP projects relevant to fruits vegetables Plantations Spices Medicinal and flower crops as overall technical controlling officer
Principal investigator of GoI project on DUS Palmyrah and Technical and administrative controlling officer of All India Coordinator Research projects on Plantation Crops, Palms, Fruit Crops, Vegetable Crops, Flower Crops and Medicinal Crops
Breeder/developer of 11 varieties and 10 technologies and 23 number of varieties and 14 numbers of technologies were released in my tenurial period as technical Dean (Horticulture)
Obtained three patents related to horticultural/Agricultural crops
Two international conferences viz., ICPHTV’24 and ICFH’24 were organized in the capacity of Organizing Chairman
Served in two international conferences viz., New opportunities in Vegetable Production for Sustainable Development and Emerging Technologies and Trends in Sustainable Production and Value Chain Management in Onion, Garlic and other Allium Species as organizing member
34th Annual Group Meet of All India Co-Ordinated Research projects on Palms was organized at AC & RI Madurai on 06.05.2025
Five Brainstorming/ Seminar/Workshops were organised on Citrus, Grapes, Turmeric, Coffee and Subtropical Fruits
Twenty three numbers of varieties of horticulture crops were notified to bring it to seed chain for seed multiplication and supply to farmers benefits
Thirteen numbers of horticulture crop varieties released from HC & RI, TNAU,CBE w registered in PPVFRA
Technical and administrative controlling officer of externally funded projects of DST, DBT, State government and private agencies etc., an amount of 10.86 crores was generated and utilised for research.
From State Government of Tamil Nadu by the project “ Therapeutic Horticulture” for designing garden suitable for physically challenged students, an amount of Rupees five crores was obtained
Published 107 research articles (National and International scientific journals) and 50 research abstracts of scientific presentation.
Two Coconut Research Stations at Aliyarnagar and Veppankulam administrated by me were awarded with best All India Co-ordinator Research Centres during 2022-23 and 2023-24 and HC & RI received best college award during 2022-2023 during my tenure.
QRT on Onion Garlic Scheme, AICRP, Medicinal crops, Flowers and Fruits were organized at HC & RI, Coimbatore.
Societal improvement
Supported Tamil Nadu Government by Digital Crop Survey, Coconut Root Wilt Survey at Pollachi and MIDH and TANHODA programmes as holistic growth of the horticulture sector to approve the beneficiaries of receiving subsidies for Horticultural schemes
Botanical garden of TNAU was renovated and 6th flower show was conducted during my period
NSS programmes organised with students for creating awareness among public about government projects
Rural Horticulture Work Experience was organized with UG students to disseminate Agri/Horti varieties and technologies developed at TNAU and to bring indigenous technologies (ITK) from farmers for further confirmation and validation of farmers technologies / Varieties
Technical and Administrative and overall controlling officer of all SCSP programmes of All India Coordinated projects of Fruits, Vegetables, Plantation Spices, Medicinal Crops and Flowers for three years from 2022 May to 2025 May
Trainings on horticulture technology viz., Hydroponics, Aeroponics and Vertical farming technologies in vegetable crops, Oil extraction from flowers and aromatic crops, Nursery technology for commercialization of horticultural crops, Extraction of bioactive compounds from Spices and Medicinal plants, Dry flower arrangements and Grafting technologies in vegetable crops were also being given to the jobless public to develop them as entrepreneurs
Extension
- Facilitated ten numbers of Farmers Producer Organization by disseminating technical guidance and giving inputs to develop them as entrepreneurs and promote them as exporters
- Nineteen Memorandum of Understanding signed with National and Private institutions.
- Sixty nine students were connected with farm family in the concept of “One Student One Farm Family” connect programme.
- Organized Digital Crop Survey and successfully completed in Annur, Avinashi, Kodaikanal, Ooty, Kothagiri and Tirupattur by 453 UG students of HC & RI, Coimbatore.
- Trainings were given to farmers on “Demonstration of Latest Horticultural Technologies in Precision Farming Development Centre (PFDC)” sponsored by National Committee on Plasticulture Application in Horticulture (NCPAH), Government of India, New Delhi as CO – PI of the scheme
- Organized National, State level Seminars on Citrus, Grapes, Coffee, Coconut and Arid zone fruit crops, training programmes, workshops and guest at international and national lectures for farmers, scientists and students benefits.
- Sixteen tonnes of vegetable seeds have been supplied to farming community during last two and half years during my tenure.
Awards and honours
- Served as Nominee Chairman of Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board for selection and career advancement of scientists of Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research, Pune (ICAR) and Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research, Anand, Gujarat, Institutional management committee member of National Research Centre of Banana, Trichy from 17.05.2022 to 31.05.2025.
- I was awarded with eighteen prestigious awards for my research and educational contributions which include Indian Society of Vegetable Science Fellow ship Award, Frontier in Coconut Research 2024, SoPHoST Award for Academic Excellence, SoPHoST Award for Excellence in Horticulture Research, Award of excellence – Best Authors of Tamil text book on Horticulture, Best poem award, Best Book Award, Best Teacher Award, Best Scientist Award, Best Paper Presentation award, Best poster award and TNAU Award for Technology released.
