Dr.Vandana Venugopal

Dr. Vandana Venugopal, graduated in B.Sc. (Agri.) M.Sc. (Agri.) and PhD in Agronomy from Kerala Agricultural University. She is the recipient of ICAR and FAI fellowship for study. She is first rank holder for graduation and post-graduation. She is currently holding the charge of ADR (M&E) AR&T and Planning at Directorate of Research. Vellanikkara, KAU. Dr. Vandana is actively involved in teaching, research and extension for the last 26 years. She has undertaken external aided research projects funded by KSCSTE and has been a part of Kuttanad Package Projects, 13th FC Eco restoration Project and AICRIP in addition to plan projects. She has headed RRS Moncompu ,PPNMU and KAU Estate. She got Best Poster Presentation award in Kerala Science Congress for her work on Utilization of water hyacinth beds for cultivation of vegetables in water bodies. She has been successful in introducing scientific cultivation of baby corn and sweet corn in Kerala for the first time. She has one POP recommendation on Nutrient schedule of double sucker planting in Banana var.Nendran. She has 25 research publications, > 50 popular articles and one book published to her credit. She has participated in national and international seminars and presented research papers. She has visited and undergone a training at UTokyo, Japan as part of SAKURA programme.She has guided two M.Sc. students and is guiding 3 PhD students Her areas of research interest include resource use management with respect to nutrients, utilization of microorganisms and bio stimulants for agronomic biofortification.